Sunday, October 7, 2018

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (20^th Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 22)

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

First Reading: Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm 26
Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

This is World Communion Sunday.  World Communion Sunday is a tradition started by a Presbyterian, Hugh Thomson Kerr, in 1933 at Shadyside Presbyterian Church.

The texts this week draw us to the table…

Gaze in wonder.  All our labels.  All our divisions.  All our separations.  All our differences.  They are not boundaries that hold us apart but this beautiful diversity.  Our differences are not threatening but wonderful marks of creation.

Gaze in wonder.  Gaze in wonder at the east and the west.  Gaze in wonder at the north and the south—for from there we will all come to sit at table in the kingdom of God.

Gaze in wonder.  Gaze forward.  Gaze back to the intention of the Creator God.  Gaze into the arms of Jesus’ little ones and hear him inviting us all in.  Gaze in wonder, oh world of ours.  For we are invited to the table.  We are invited to the feast.

Gaze in wonder at this day where we take in the reality of how God intends us to be.  To be as one.  Many, but as one.  Different, but as one.  Diverse, yet also this beautiful one.

And, having gazed, then come.

Come all of you.  Come from north and south.  Come from east and west.  Come all of you.  Bring all your questions.  Bring all your Job-like pains and struggles.  Bring also all your Job-like faith and trust.

Come.  Come all of you.  Come from your north and your south.  Come from your east and your west.  Come all of you.  Bring all your pop quizzes and challenges for the Savior.  Come to the one who calls you back to God’s intention for your life.  Come.  Come like those little ones that we are—come to Jesus who blesses you in your child-like coming to him.  Come.

Come.  Gaze in wonder.  Gaze in wonder and hear him saying it directly to you.  Hear him saying it to you and to the whole of the world.  Come and gaze in wonder.  “Take my yoke upon you.”  “Broken for you.”  “Do this in Remembrance of me.”

Come…  Gaze in wonder…  “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”