Exactly one year ago this week, I started writing blog posts on the lectionary readings from the previous Sundays. After Thoughts was a blessing for me, a time to reflect and process and share. My last post was on the day after Christmas, 26 December, one of those turning point days when everything changed. The months since have been a time to find the new normal, to help Kate heal, to watch Kate and Craig become amazing parents, to love and cherish our precious twin grandbabies. There is much to write about those days and that will come in time. For now, I am ready to return to lectionary blogging.
My last lectionary post was the Fourth Sunday of Advent – and now here we are after Pentecost. Pentecost Sunday, which was 4 June this year, is one of my favorites. I think of the church calendar in two parts – the first part is from Advent through Pentecost. Each year, we walk the earthly life of Jesus from the foretelling of his birth through his arrival in the manger to the cross, the grave, the resurrection, the ascension, and finally, the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The readings for Pentecost Sunday are full of wonderful words. We – ordinary people living our ordinary lives – are going to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and we’re going to prophesy and have visions and dream dreams. (Acts 2:1-21) Each of us – yes, every single creature – has been given a gift to share for the good of all. (I Corinthians 12:3b-13) And then, when Jesus returns to the frightened apostles after the resurrection, his first words to them are: Peace be with you. And then he says it again. Peace be with you. (John 20:19-23)
This past Sunday was Holy Trinity Sunday and the readings are no less magnificent. God created us in God’s own image and declared us good. (Genesis 1:1-2:4a) God has crowned us with glory and honor and given us dominion over the works of God’s hands. (Psalm 8) Jesus promises to never leave us. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:16-20)
All of these Holy Scriptures are empowering, freeing, liberating, peace-filled, and relationship-nurturing. So what do we do about all of this power, peace, and gifting we have received? Well, this particular Sunday, Holy Trinity Sunday, marks a decision point. We’ve spent the past six months walking the journey with Jesus. Now he has returned to heaven and given us the Holy Spirit to continue God’s work on earth. Will we heed the call?
Yes, we will. Saying yes changes everything and yet it isn’t that complicated. This season is sometimes called Ordinary Time. I like that. It seems appropriate. We go about our Ordinary Business wherever we are – but we go about it in a new way, a transformed way, being conformed to the image of Christ. We love our neighbors out of a response to all that Christ has done for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We breathe. We rejoice. We laugh. It’s never about what we do – God works in every single moment of our lives whether we are washing dishes or building skyscrapers. It’s about the how we live our lives. As John Wesley instructed, let us do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can. We can safely leave the outcomes to God who has our eternal best interests in God’s care.
So where to begin in this season of Ordinary Time? The best place to start is with prayer. When we’re feeling anxious, restless, hopeless, or panicked, we can remember that Jesus came to bring us peace. Take him up on it. Close your eyes, breathe deep, and say a prayer. Ask for that peace. There’s no limit so ask early and ask often. You are an amazing, unique creature, and your Creator is waiting to hear from you.
