Reading for Sunday, Proper 28: Year B
“Then Jesus began to say to Gospel them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.” (Mark 13:5)
Heaven knows we have had more than our share of what I call “Jesus-want-to-bees.” We have had Jim Jones, David Koresh, any number of politicians (on both sides of the isle), plenty from the traditional preacher pool, as well as a few from the lawyer and business brand.
I think sometimes we are just too easily, led astray. We need to know what to look for in leaders, be they spiritual, political, or just plain community leaders. None of us are Jesus, nor will we ever be. I like leadership by consensus. This is where elected persons, representative of all walks of community life, come together to work out reasonable solutions to problems as well as sort out productive ways forward for all in the community. With such a body of concerned people we would be as close as we could get to being like Jesus. We would still miss the mark but it would be a good start.
We have to look hard to see even fair news in Mark 13. But if we examine the words closely we will find some consolation. Jesus tells us, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:7)
It is the “do not be alarmed” part, that we should pay attention to. We must calm ourselves. No matter what happens in this world, God is still in charge and what we think is our end is not our end at all. To quote Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” But even this Yogi-ism is turned upside down with God’s invitation into eternity. While Mark 13 seems all doom and gloom, there is guidance within it for whatever might come our way.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 