This Sunday's
lectionary text left me with a lot to think about. I attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta. It is a wonderful congregation just up the street from me. Last Monday, their pastor Brad
Schmeling, was officially removed from the rolls of the
ELCA as a pastor because of his relationship with his partner Darin (a
UCC minister). This was the
lectionary text for last Sunday.
Luke 10
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1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!' 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' 16 "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." |
3 comments:
my mom said they're having their demonination's meeting next month, i think (for elca). the ordination issue is on the agenda again.
it is very interesting and good to see how lectionary often ties in so well. God speaks. it is interesting to see that Jesus doesn't say for people who are treated inhospitably to stay and try to help the people become more hospitable, y'know? he tells them to go. i'm just saying...
I really find that passage interesting because of it's commentary on power. "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." It's a message I certainly need to hear on a regular basis, and I wonder if there is anyone else in the church who needs to hear it as well? I bet we could come up with a few names, no?
We could totally come up with a few names of people who need to hear this. One of the points that Bradly made was that while he has been removed from the roll of the ELCA all of our names are written on the roll in heaven.
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