Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 9: Year 1:
Morning, Psalms 20, 21:1-78-14); Evening, Psalms 110:1 to 5, 116 and 117;
1st Samuel 17:31 to 49; Acts 11:1 to 18; Mark 1:14-28:
“Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” (Acts 11:1 to 3).
You readers of this passage perhaps do not need an extended translation of this passage. But indulge me if you will. Here I go: “Now the apostles and the disciples who were in Judea, but still down the hill from Jerusalem, heard that some non-Jew Greeks have also believed and accepted the word of God in Christ Jesus. Peter (also a Jew), climbed the mountain to Jerusalem and who had visited with these non-Jew Greeks, found himself in the presence of Jews who heard about him, and who believed in God but perhaps not in Jesus. They believed in God, whom they also believed brought all life into being and who made all humankind in the image of God, yet they found fault in Peter for trying to reconcile the stranger to the belief in God through Christ Jesus.” End extended translation.
Peter will go on to share his story about inclusivity in his food example wherein nothing that God has made is profane, including the uncircumcised, or Greek non-Jews.
Maybe it would be a good idea to review our Church stance on this matter. In our Book of Common Prayer, on page 855 of the Catechism, we are asked the question; “What is the mission of the Church?” The answer: “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”
Any time we frame a question wherein it is an “us – them” scenario we have missed the holy mark. In God’s eyes we are all the same. However, some of us have been set apart to show the humble life. Some of us have been called and set aside to serve others regardless of what they believe or don’t believe. Some of us have been called and set apart to make charitable contributions that will assist those in need regardless of who they are. Those of us who are called in this way and set aside, are called Christians. Christianity is not for the faint of heart. It is a high calling for a low walk. We are called to love those thought to be unlovable. We are called to pray for those who curse us; we are called to withstand some abuse and continue to march as Christian soldiers. We are fortified with the Love of God, for the desire of God, that all humanity will be reconciled back to God. We do this work with love. If this is God’s desire as Peter says, who are we to hinder God?
Today we remember Nathan Soderrblom, Archbishop of Uppsala (1931) and his information may be found at: Nathan Söderblom.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 