the fourth sunday after pentecost
the PRAYER …
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life’s journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
the READING …
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 …. luke 10:1-11, 16-20
the DEVOTION …
It was a report on the news. Wednesday morning. About the shootings at the Fourth-of-July parade. The anchor was giving the latest statistics and, for a second, he stumbled. Like he was about to say something. Then, at the last moment, thought better of it and grabbed for another word. Most people, probably, didn’t notice. But I think he was about to say, “Dead!”
It’s a word we don’t hear much, nowadays. Too harsh, too offensive, for polite company. Instead, we avoid it. We use other words. Passed away. Crossed over. Departed, lost, and gone. Unfortunately, there are times – and situations – when it can’t be softened, or tempered. When no other word works. Like when people are gunned down in the street. Or when god is nailed to a cross. Those are times when they can only die … and be buried … and descend to the dead ….
Paul told the church at Corinth that it’s pitiful … experiencing death, not believing in resurrection. I wonder what he’d think of believing in resurrection, never acknowledging death? Believing in resurrection, unable even to say the word?