Sunday, October 21, 2018

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (22^nd Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 24)

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

First Reading: Job 38:1-7 (34-41); Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

There are many paths that you have taken.  And the primary element that they all have in common is choice.  You made a choice to walk the path today in order to be where you are this day.  We have made a choice to walk a path as we seek to be the church that lives the love and justice of Jesus Christ.  As we seek to change lives and grow in God’s love, we are actively making a choices as disciples.

And ultimately on this path that is Christ we make a choice.  We make that same choice that confronted James and John and the rest of those disciples that day.  It is still that day.  And we are the ones who are on the path with Jesus.  What choice will we make?

Will we choose the way that is easy?  Will we choose the way that requires us to bend, and give, and step on places that feel more tenuous?  Will we choose the known way or will we go the way that contains question marks and unknowns?  Will we allow ourselves to take the path that gives ourselves away?  Will we opt for the easy way out or the harder way that gives meaning to living?

Will we choose the path that is narrow and not easy?  Will we choose that way that actively makes a decision that we will love when it would be easier to be angry, to shame, or to be mad?  Will we choose that path that is a kind of love which invites those who are not like us into the circle?  Will we be aware of the choices we made that exclude, reject, and cast away those God has placed in our way?

Will we be on this path?  This path leads to Jerusalem.  It leads to cross…it leads to the harder way.  This path is the one Jesus invites us to take.