“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.”
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
For every Sunday of the year, the lectionary provides four Scripture readings. My process of worship planning involves working through those readings and discovering one or two which speaks to me. These passages aren’t the ones I “like;” most often they challenge me. They start a great many thoughts, and I may feel the Spirit leading me in several directions. The process of sermon preparation, then, becomes a matter of editing down to a core all that I feel compelled to say. Then I seek ways of illustrating those points.
Much, then falls to the “cutting room floor” – though I am certain there are times you feel that more could have been cut!
In our new Lectionary Lunch – Noon, Wednesdays, on Zoom – I gain even more insight and wisdom, as the Spirit speaks through the participants. This week the focus of the Scripture readings is on the triune nature of God: Genesis 1:1-2:4, Psalm 8, Matthew 28:16-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
Here are some tidbits from our gathering which will not likely make it into the sermon, but are worthy of consideration:
– In the Trinity,
God the Creator makes us good.
God the Savior restores us to the good.
God the Holy Spirit moves in us to do good.
– The Holy Spirit is compared to wind and flame. Neither of these are static. Wind and flame cause movement and transformation. There is no wind when it is not moving. So the Holy Spirit is God-In-Action. Through us.
– In our current unsettled time, we seek peace. But you will note Saint Paul acknowledges that peace only comes after our right relationship with each other has been restored. Order is not the imposition of will, but seeing each other and treating each other, individually and systemically, as children of God, made in God’s image.
– (and Sorry, Paul, right now we won’t be greeting one another with a literal holy kiss. But there are plenty of ways we can signal our affection, appreciation, and unity.)
I invite you to allow the Spirit to move you as you dwell on the Word.
Holy Spirit, move in us. Open us to hearing the Word in new ways. Silence our pride and fear that we might actively listen to those who are hurting. Guide us to act in love. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor George