This week we are grateful to pastor John Wurster for providing a guest lectionary reflection. Genesis 21:8-21; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 Ordinary 12A, Proper 7 In an article called “White Fragility” which was later expanded into a book with the same title, Robin DiAngelo explores the dynamics of white privilege and the inherent resistance of white people to engage authentically on issues of racial disparity.  Whiteness, DiAngelo writes, is a foundational assumption of “a universal reference point. White people are just people. Within this construction, whites can represent humanity, while people of color, who are never just people but always most particularly black people, Asian people, etc., can only represent their own racialized experience.” In this article DiAngelo goes on to argue for anti-racist education that moves white people to acknowledge their role in systemic racism with a responsibility of “either perpetuating or transforming that system.” Her presentation … [Read more...]

Genesis 18:1-15; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8 Pentecost 2A Jesus tells the 12 about-to-be-sent-out disciples that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. Jesus speaks metaphorically — the harvest being those ready to hear and receive the word of the kingdom’s nearness. However, in our current context, praying for laborers to bring in the plentiful harvest might be taken literally. The coronavirus and subsequent travel restrictions and rate of infection among migrant workers living in close quarters has left crops rotting in fields. Farmer Jeremy White told a reporter that 1 million dollars’ worth of blueberries might rot in the Georgia field if 100 workers from Guatemala do not arrive within days. He said of those workers: "We need 'em now. Absolutely, we need 'em now. As you can see, this fruit's turning blue and it's not waiting on anybody." Georgia’s commissioner of agriculture Gary Black added: … [Read more...]

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 Trinity Sunday, Year A I find comfort in knowing that those first disciples, in the presence of the risen Lord, experienced doubt even as they worshipped Jesus. That small caveat in this great commission humanizes an otherwise transcendent encounter. Some wavered even on that mountaintop, face to face with the once dead, now very much alive Jesus. I need this word of uncertainty even as the risen Christ appoints and sends the disciples. I am grateful to know those first followers are complex and questioning. I need to know that I do not have to be utterly unhesitating in following Jesus in order for God to use me to make disciples and preach and teach and baptize. What a great relief because right now, in this pandemic and with the video of George Floyd’s murder and the headline of 100,000 COVID-19 deaths and footage of a white woman calling the police on a black man politely asking her to follow the rules and leash … [Read more...]

Numbers 11:24-30; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost Sunday They were all together in one place. Would that we could be, too. This Acts 2 Pentecost story begins small but gets bigger and bigger and bigger until all of creation is encompassed in the Spirit of God. Barriers of language and culture, status and religion, gender and age get blown down by the wind of the Spirit, immolated by the flames of God, usurped by the life-saving deeds of Jesus Christ. Yet, this expansive divine power makes itself known through the common and mundane, through ordinary people going about their regular routines. The Spirit rests on Eldad and Medad. Do we ever hear from them again? Joshua does not seem to think they ought to be prophesying, even though Moses says to let them be — and wouldn’t it be great if all the Lord’s people were prophets? The Spirit comes with wind and fire, those ubiquitous elements of creation that both empower and destroy. The Spirit speaks in human … [Read more...]

Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11 Easter 7A Are we asking Jesus the wrong question? The disciples look at their risen Lord and want to know: Is now the time when he will restore the kingdom of Israel? Surely, their teacher and master, the one whom the empire’s cross could not contain, the one who even death could not destroy, surely, now he will restore the kingdom of Israel. Such a victory seems like the next, right, glorious step. That kind of earthly comeuppance would be so satisfying for Jesus’ followers. How do you like us now, Rome?  But Jesus shuts down this line of thinking quickly, telling them the restoration of the kingdom of Israel is none of their business. Jesus says, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” But Jesus says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses.” That’s enough information — all the information you need to be the disciples … [Read more...]