Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 16: You Have The Words of Everlasting Life

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 22-30, 41-43 (NRSV)

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, `There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.' Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, `My name shall be there,' that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name -- for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm-- when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.”

Psalm 84 (BCP, p.707)


Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV)

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

John 6:56-69 (NRSV)

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Blog Reflection

There are few relationships in the Gospel texts that are as fascinating as Jesus and Peter; no?   This particular reading from St. John's Gospel which concludes the discourse in which Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life; shows Peter the be the most faithful and trusting.  It is an odd, but wonderful display of the journey Peter has been on.  

Let us take a closer look at a few examples of the journey of Peter with Jesus in the Gospels.

We know from the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that Peter was among the first disciples called. (See Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11).  We also read about the calling of the first disciples in John 1:35-42.   Peter is the one who has trouble with his faith during the storm in Matthew 14:22-33.  Yet, it is Peter's mother Jesus heals back in Matthew 8:14-17.  It is Peter's faith through which he says that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God in Matthew 16:13-20, and not long after that in verse 22, Jesus rebukes the devil in Peter.  We can point to Peter's ups and downs in today's Gospel texts, and of course Peter's denial of Jesus in the Passion Gospels.  We also see Jesus's reinstatement of Peter in John 21:15-19.  Lastly, Peter is the Apostle in the Church after Pentecost, leading the other Apostles to evangelize and eventually send Saul; now called Paul to preach to the gentiles.  We also know that Peter was crucified upside down, claiming that he was not worthy to die right side up as Jesus had done.

Peter represents the reality in all of us.  We each have our moments of being called, being weak in faith, needing to be rebuked and corrected, having moments of very strong faith; even denying Jesus and needing Jesus' redeeming love to be restored in our relationship with God.  We each have our moments of courage and cowardice. 

In this passage from today's Gospel, Peter shines like a new penny in the midst of a trying time for Jesus.  Jesus has been teaching that He is the Bread of Life.  Those who would receive Jesus as the Living Bread that came from heaven, would have every lasting life.  Many of those who were following Him up to this point just could not take this teaching they were hearing from Jesus.  So, they turned and walked away.  When Jesus gives the rest the option to leave or stay, it is Peter who said those wonderful and famous words.  "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of everlasting life."

As I meditate on this Gospel text, I am lead to invite us to ask ourselves some important questions.

Who among us believes that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

Who among us is not so sure that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

How is Jesus the Bread of Life for us?

Who among us sees that people have a hard time believing in this Bread of Life that Jesus proclaims Himself to be?

Who among us is ready to help Jesus as Peter did, and proclaim him as our Bread of Life, and that He has the words of everlasting life?

What are the words of everlasting life that we hear in our everyday lives?

Jesus is having some hard times among us these days.  Jesus so wants to give of Himself again as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation; not only through His Church, but from those who claim to believe in Him as the Bread of Life, and claim to follow Him. 

Jesus wants to work in and through the gifts and lives of Christians to relieve the lot of the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and those who are marginalized, surrounded by injustice and oppression.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life that stops the violence used towards Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other religious faiths often used by well meaning Christians, who just are not getting it.  The Christian Faith does not mean that all the others are to be reduced into Christianity to be viable faith communities.

Jesus is not the Bread of Life to be refused to or proselytized to those who believe differently than we do. 

Jesus is not the Cup of Salvation to be denied to LGBT people who are getting married, adopting children and seeking equality in the work place, financial institutions and public assistance.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, to share His words of everlasting life, through real freedom and equality, without "protection of religious liberty" legislation being passed because of the paranoia of ultra-conservative Christians to continue their crusade against the rights of women to protect their reproductive health care, and marriage equality for LGBT people, and other religious traditions.   

Jesus seeks those who seek union with Him as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, as having the words of everlasting life, through the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation. 

Jesus Christ can be and is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation through independent thinking and a diversity of theology, philosophy and understanding of the Bible and Creeds.

Jesus is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with the words of everlasting life; who is with us in our moments of illness, loneliness, addiction, loss, and difficulty. 

The summer is winding down.  Soon children will be going back to school.  College and Universities are already beginning orientation programs.  Sports teams are practicing to make that Superbowl touchdown, and win the Stanley Cup.  The violence and prejudice in the world is not going to slow down or stop, without Christians who know that Jesus has the words of everlasting life, living as faithful members of the Body of Christ. 

Let us all take our place in our work places, families, communities, activities and wherever we are, and do our part to help Jesus in these trying times.  May we live as believers in Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with His words of everlasting life to guide us and encourage others to stay around and pay attention.

Amen.


Prayers

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered
together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your
power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 232, 233).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 818).

St. Thomas the Apostle: The Saint Who Dared to Confirm Faith

Today's Scripture Readings

Habakkuk 2: 1-4 (NRSV)

I will stand at my watchpost,

and station myself on the rampart;

I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,

and what he will answer concerning my complaint.

Then the LORD answered me and said:

Write the vision;

make it plain on tablets,

so that a runner may read it.

For there is still a vision for the appointed time;

it speaks of the end, and does not lie.

If it seems to tarry, wait for it;

it will surely come, it will not delay.

Look at the proud!

Their spirit is not right in them,

but the righteous live by their faith.

Psalm 126 (BCP, p. 782)


Hebrews 10:35-11:1 (NRSV)

Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

For yet "in a very little while,

the one who is coming will come and will not delay;

but my righteous one will live by faith.

My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back."

But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

John 20: 24-29 (NRSV)

Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Blog Reflection

Mother Prioress Delores Hart, OSB once said: "If you can have hope, you just may find faith."  

St. Thomas was the Apostle who dared to confirm faith.  He was not satisfied with the words of others.  Thomas wanted faith on a realistic level, not a superficial level.  He wanted to know for certain that what he was to believe had the sustainability that the world around him did not have.  

It takes a great act of faith to not settle for the superficial and ask for confirmation.  In questioning, we open ourselves to God's answer.   Then faith is much more a matter of trust.   By faith, I not only mean what is written and proclaimed in the Creeds or the articles of religion.  When I write of the faith that I believe Thomas was seeking, I mean he really wanted a reason to let go of his certainty.  I think a better word for faith is the word trust.

As I was doing my Lectio Divina on this Gospel reading this morning, I used the recently approved Common English Bible.  When I got to Chapter 20: verse 27 the very last sentences in the NRSV reads: "Do not doubt but believe." I found myself disturbed a bit by the wording in the Common English Bible that reads: "No more disbelief. Believe!"

What might it mean for us to hear the words "No more disbelief.  Believe!"? 

I think we are all in a state of disbelief that one week ago today, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT with the intention to shoot and killed 26 individuals, 20 of them 6 or 7 year olds.   How could this have happened?   I think we are all in disbelief that there are still individuals who think that the solution to these things not happening again is more guns.  What is more to disbelieve than the fact that our public schools as early as the elementary grades are no longer completely safe from the most heinous of violence?

What happens when we find ourselves in a place where we disbelieve?

I think the word disbelieve is a word that disturbs us.  We want to believe in something. We want to have that trust that God really does have our best interests in God's heart.  We desire to believe that God really does love all of humankind with an inclusive love.  That God wants justice and equality for all people.   However, we, like Thomas have to be willing to step up and ask God to help us to confirm our faith and trust that what God wants is true and real.    Because, when we do that, God will answer: "I have sent you."

The Common English Bible's translation of Hebrews 11:1 is: "Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don't see."  Faith looks for God to continually reveal God's Self in new and awesome ways.  To help us to not surmise God, but to see that God is continuously evolving.

The evolutionary God is not the omnipotent God who is every where, to prevent every evil from happening.   In many ways, God has not ended all oppression, violence and cruelty.   God does not intervene where humans exercise their free will.   However, when humankind is willing to answer "Here I am, send me" with the Prophet Isaiah in Chapter 6:8, God will so work with us to do so much. 

When it comes to ending the discrimination and oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people in the Church and society, God has called us to be about the work of doing that.  

Who else, but us have the power to stop drone missiles from killing innocent civilians, women, men and children in Pakistan?  

We do have the opportunity to speak up about the injustice of putting Social Security on the table in negotiations over the fiscal cliff crisis. That putting the stability and sustainability of retired, disabled and poor people in the playing cards for asking the wealthiest to pay a bit more to help fund education, infrastructure and homeland security is an injustice.  Now is the time to be speaking up and acting with regards to this kind of evil in our Nation.

The time to demand that more be done in terms of helping those suffering from mental illness so that they have access to affordable health care, psychiatric medicine and an opportunity to be functioning individuals in our society, is now. 

We all have an opportunity today, to do some thing that helps reduce gun violence on our streets, in our schools, in our houses of worship and local communities. 

When we go before Jesus in prayer, and ask as Thomas did to show us his wounded hands and side, Jesus will tell us: "No more disbelief.  Believe!"   In other words, don't just sit staring at the television with all the horrible reports and do nothing.  Spend some time in prayer.  Write a letter.  Join a local organization and begin helping in efforts to make your local community a better place for all people.   See the wounds of Christ as those in all of our sisters and brothers, and believe that the Risen Christ can impact those who have not seen him, to believe through what God does through us.

No more disbelief.  Believe!

Amen.


Prayers

Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with
firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so
perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our
Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting
in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Thomas, Book of Common Prayer, p. 237).

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 99).