“Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.”
— 1 Peter 5:8-9
On Wednesday we started a new small group gathering on Zoom. I am calling it a “Lectionary Lunch.” The plan is simple: At noon I open a meeting on Zoom and anyone who has the time can join in for a discussion of the four passages of Scripture scheduled for the coming Sunday’s worship services. I am being very clear: I fully intend to let your reflections on the Word guide my preaching on Sunday morning. In this time of isolation, I need such sharing in order to remain connected with you!
The selection of four readings for each Sunday, on a three year cycle follows an ancient tradition of Hebrew worship. As a United Methodist I make use of the ecumenical “Revised Common Lectionary.” While the Scriptures are chosen in advance (the most recent revision of the schedule was released in 1994) they are not chosen at random. During Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Eastertide and Pentecost, readings will reflect stories and writings appropriate to those seasons. In the rest of the year, they will often follow through large parts of one book. For example, in the upcoming season after Pentecost, in this year A of the cycle, we will focus on Paul’s letter to the Romans. The readings often clearly have been chosen because they reflect similar themes.
Still, with all of this structure, forethought, and planning, there is great room for the movement of the Holy Spirit. You might call it coincidence, but I am blown away by how often the readings apply to a current matter at hand.
So. This Wednesday, we read Psalm 68 and talked about remembering the deliverance God has given to people, and in that finding strength in a time of trial. Then we read John 17:1-11 where Jesus, praying, acknowledges that his authority stems from the fullness of God, and gives the care of the disciples back to the Creator. Next we read from Acts chapter 1 about the Ascension of Jesus (which one online wag described as “when Jesus left the disciples to go work from home!”).
As you can imagine, we were already discussing how appropriate these passages were to our current crisis. We could see clear application to our time of fear, frustration, and sense of being out of control. I was thinking of one of our homeless guests, who has tried to convince me that COVID isn’t real, but a plot by one party to skew the upcoming election. I was reflecting on how, like him, I have focused on myself and my tribe in this crisis, and have chafed at the restrictions as an imposition upon my freedom.
So reading Peter’s writing felt like the Holy Spirit smacking the back of my head. “You know that people around the world are suffering and dying from this!” “It isn’t about you!” “This virus is real, and it is out there!” “Disciplines of handwashing, distancing, and wearing a mask work!” “Keep at it!”
Peter had no idea that his words would be read almost 2000 years later. He was addressing very real problems faced by the people of his day. The saints who gathered the writings had no idea that we would be in the midst of a pandemic today. Likewise, the leaders who selected Peter’s words for the edification of believers on the occasion of the commemoration of Jesus’ ascension had no idea that I would need those words this day.
But the Holy Spirit did.
Or at least the Holy Spirit took the opportunity of the lectionary, and a new class, to let me hear a word I needed to hear.
Open us to hear your word, O God, with our hearts as well as our minds. Open us to recognize that we are all struggling. Give us the strength and hope to humble ourselves and maintain our disciplines, that together we might overcome this crisis. Comfort us in our mourning, and invigorate us for that which is to come. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.
Pastor George