Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;
Lamentation 2:8 to 15; 1st Corinthians 15:51 to 58; Matthew 12:1 to 14:
“Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die,but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed:” (1st Corinthians 15: 51 and 52).
I know Paul is talking about the rising to life again in Christ Jesus. However, there is also a mystery in the change we go through when enlightened by sitting through thoughtful prayer with believers around the subject of Church mission.
In our Book of Common Prayer, page 855, the question is asked “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.”
Paul says to the people of Corinth that while the dead will be raised imperishable, we, will be changed! Restoring people back to God and each other is tricky work.
If we ask, how we will be changed? I think the answer is, we will die to our old selves and be changed into the true loving servants that God in Christ Jesus wants us to be. It is not about making the needy need us; it is about us making them to be not needy. And then, for me at least, it is about more dialogue to get them to some kind of place of independence through education and training. I am reminded of the old saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for today; teach a man to fish and you have fed him for life.” To this I add, that I must first ask him what his way of fishing might look like. That is, how might he think himself best suited to participate in community, vocationally? Then I am best able to find the resources to get him “fishing” better.
The key is dialogue. Then, as Paul says, “in the twinkling of an eye,” the person once thought dead to society will be transformed. He or she will have dignity again. And he or she will have it in this life, fed for life, before that last trumpet will sound. Thank You Lord Jesus.
A note to my readers: I have purchased a new laptop. I am turning this one in so that information may be transferred to the new one. This is going to cause some away time from my public pondering. As soon as I have the new laptop up and running I will be back with you. It shouldn’t be more than a day of two. I will miss you.
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: (BCP p. 826)
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 