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

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

Bruce Metzger said, “David wishes to build a temple, but God wills that he establishes an everlasting dynasty.”  What if, like David, God is calling us to build such a dynasty—a dynasty of relationship and family?

As one brings this passage alongside the Gospel Lesson, consider the building of a dynasty of compassion.  We are told in Mark 6:34: “As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”

What if we were to understand our charge to build the church as a charge to build a “dynasty of compassion?”

In the New Testament, the word used for compassion is reserved for talking about Christ.  It is a characteristic of God.  It is what God has for humanity.  God, if you will, suffers with us.  In the cross of Christ, we have been “compassioned.”

God’s heart towards us—God’s spirit towards us—God’s movement towards us is one of suffering alongside of us.  God goes with us.  God holds us and has us.  We have been compassioned.  God is at hand.

When we adopt that God-like view of compassion and apply it to our neighbors, then we are building a dynasty of compassion.  May we build a dynasty of compassion.

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Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk