The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

First Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 

The liturgical color for the day is: White

As the message of Jesus spread throughout the region, it was no surprise that it began to take hold.  The love of God shown in Christ was and still is compelling.  In the Acts passage we get a paradigm for how we are supposed to be part of that work God is doing.  Sure, people are hearing the Good News and responding.  Perhaps this is like today’s “spiritual but not religious” group.  They are brought closer to God through the word but need more.  They need the next step in faith development.  That’s the action of discipleship.  Peter and John go to Samaria as mentors in faith.  God works through them to bring the word from knowledge to life.  Just as then, we are never the church alone as individuals.  It is in the community of faith that God works to guide us in discernment, development and faithfulness.  Too often we settle on sharing the word like a preacher on the street corner, but we miss out on the disciple making calling we each have.  Many, if not most of us, can point to at least one individual who were like Peter and John to us.  People who God sent into our lives to actively disciple us in a way that God’s Spirit was able to truly manifest itself. Now more than ever our calling as the church and individual members need to commit to being sent into the lives of those around us so that the Spirit of God may be fully known and received.  To whom are you being sent?

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Rev. Geoff McLean
Associate General Presbyter