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Many of us long for the Good Old Summertime in worship: short sermons, familiar hymns and a pleasant glow about being white and privileged by a God of abundance. And maybe a picnic in the parking lot… Sure ‘nuf, readings for the upcoming weekend are a bit less demanding than the heavy-duty ethical stuff we’ve been dealing with. Or are they?? At any rate, some of us will nod in agreement and count ourselves fortunate to be so holy! And, of course, we are.

We don’t know for sure which poet wrote SONG OF SOLOMON/song of songs 2:8-13, but it sings well! It’s a folk-tune–with cello accompaniment–about two folks flirting and eventually getting together, “coming away”. Or maybe it’s about the flirtation of God with us, “gazing in at the window, looking through the lattice”? There’s nothing spoken about religion; but we rejoice with a God of love, and celebrate our own love affairs within God’s Creation. We delight in God’s transformative power: “However grim things have been in seasons past, winter will yield…and the season of glad songs will arrive at last.” (Susan Henry-Crowe, in FEASTING on the WORD, B 4:4) This is an announcement of the turn of the ages, from bitterness/boredom/despair to the paradise of a renewed heaven & earth.

JAMES 1:17-27 lies open to criticism for advocating “too active” a discipleship. Yet his idea of service doesn’t negate SOLA FIDE, but lies as a response to this sacramental gift of belief. From the Reformed tradition we get the saying, “God proposes, [ a human] disposes.” “God nurtures us, gives us gifts, and provides direction for our lives, often using human agency to do so.” (Archie Smith, Jr.in FEASTING…. B:4 14) Whatever tune we use, the liturgical doxology praises God “from whom all blessings flow”. The passage reminds us to weed out the anger & greed which we might harbor, in order to allow the implanted image of God to grow to fullness. Again, a turn of the ages: from useless rage to a season of the reflection of Good Deeds which have their origin beyond us in Heaven.

The Pharisees, who always observe a ritual washing before eating lest anything worldly enter their system, complained to Jesus that his followers didn’t observe the cleaning tradition of the elders (MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23). Jesus replied that they had missed the point: it’s not the stuff that goes INTO the mouth that’s the problem, it’s the stuff that COMES OUT of the mouth which is the problem! There’s nothing wrong with hand-washing; we should do more of it, says Dr. Fauci–but Tradition is no substitute for genuine concern about community. What are some of the traditions you observe that are handed down through the family? Mutilated prayers that we learned from childhood at mealtime and bedtime? Removing your hat inside? All families have long-standing traditions around Christmas and other holidays… and they’re important! But not to the exclusion of God…

Humans are funny people: we put great stock in Tradition, yet allow the tail to wag the dog! But here are three instances of God’s Greater Love clamoring to be free, to usher in the renewal of Time by putting aside the “old” virtues in favor of the Eternal ones. God calls, “Arise, my love, and come away!”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounters with Scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be observed with lenience every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

I get an unbelievable number of emails from acquaintances feeling sorry for the days that are past and gone. Nostalgia is OK, but many of the things we “remember” weren’t all that good, or else didn’t happen. I enjoy modern plumbing, computer assistance and push-button ignition. Yet there are many who will hear us this weekend who struggle to let the Good Old Days yield to the strengths of the present. These readings call the Back to Egypt folks to the real joy of letting God be THE god of the Present.

The Hebrew writings are from JOSHUA 24:14-18, a pep-talk from the valued leader to those who will mentor The People in their own corner of the Promised Land. “…put away the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve The Lord (Yahweh)” And the assembly responded by an affirmation of the great deeds done by YWHW and pledged themselves to God alone. But it’s hard. Most of the People longed for the safety and abundance remembered (?) from before: “Make ____ Great Again” Those were the days… What are the names of the ancestral gods we worship?

The author of the book addressed to the EPHESIANS 6:10-20 is often remembered for “the whole armor of God”, tools we can use to keep Evil at bay. But just before that, we read, “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.” “We discover the frequent fallenness of money, sex, fashions, sports and religion in our culture.” (Peter Rhea Jones, in FEASTING on the WORD, B 3:337) Admirable captains of industry are now unmasked as alternative gods as they try to sell hatred through military might, pollution by Big Pharma, and breathing obstacles through pesticides. Investment in companies which pander to human frailties could bring us big returns…. Whom do we serve?

The teachings of Jesus remembered by the writer of JOHN, about eating his flesh and drinking his blood are capped off in JOHN 6:56-69. Some unpleasant choices are the separation points between the Jesus of Now and the Old Virtues of What Used to Be (the gods beyond the River). Many who had been followers began to slink away because they weren’t ready to make that choice. Jesus’ question to the twelve was, “Do you also wish to go away?” Still asks, ’cause the decision is difficult. Good News to this United Methodist is that a forgiving and gracious God will keep coming by to reissue an invitation to recall the glorious deeds already accomplished, and to give us a chance to reject the gods of prosperity to which we’ve sold our souls…

This following of Jesus is HARD! I may have sold out to the gods of this world, trying vainly to keep one foot based on the firm shore of ancestral gods and the other foot on the bobbing boat of Jesus. How much of my comfort level am I willing to give up; and do I have to, to remain a disciple? Pray for me, and I’ll pray for you…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounter with scriptural readings assigned to the upcoming weekend can be viewed every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

What’s the best part of going to Gramma’s house? What do you do almost as soon as you take off your coats? Why, you EAT, of course! Gramma always throws a big dinner, more than anyone could eat–and then asks you if you want ice cream with your mince pie! Here’s where you can tell the family stories in relative safety; and here’s where you can intersect with long lost relatives–your sisters and your cousins (“whom he reckons by the dozens”) and your aunts. Readings to be heard this weekend all deal with consuming food, or what it stands for… Bon appetite!

The short reading from PROVERBS 9:1-6 is in the voice of mature Wisdom, who is inviting those less-experienced in spiritual knowledge to eat at her table. “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Just like Gramma’s table, this banquet is a matter of relationships and family stories. It’s a safe place to be who you are. Do I accept the mentoring of others who care about me–or am I squandering the opportunity for priceless knowledge? As my Mother’s family might say, “We get too soon old, and too late smart.”

The equally brief reading from EPHESIANS 5:15-20 urges the disciples to live in Wisdom and forgo foolishness. Our ethics evolve, from Levitical pronouncements about food & sex through Aunt Sophie’s pronouncements about cards & strong drink into a mirroring of a Christ-like life. Maybe. It’s safer to condemn specific “sins” and ignore greater evils such as racism & military might. Becoming “filled with the Spirit” is seen in a tendency to use time wisely as a gift, and to change the world with any overflow. The hearer is urged to feast on the eternal and to pass up that which is here today and gone tomorrow.

JOHN 6:51-58 talks about consuming Jesus by chomping on his flesh and drinking his blood–an anathema to the Jewish leaders and most of our acquaintances. Yet Jesus here maintains that there’s no eternal life for those who don’t! There seems to be a divide between those who feast on Jesus and the rest of the world: John writes to a world looking for some key, some knowledge about the True Inside. “Wise”men through the ages have studied the night sky; scholars have consulted aged and musty documents; spiritualists have engaged mediums to blink the lights and move tables…but Jesus has, in effect, personalized Wisdom in himself! Throughout the passage, he emphasizes “MY” flesh & blood as gifts given by grace and not by our own cunning or merit. We attain Wisdom only by letting the essence of Christ flow through our veins into every little capillary.

These lections could very well descend into a discussion of our traditions and styles of communion. But they’re not about Church Practice, they’re about exploring Divine Wisdom. The presenter’s task is to call those on the road to one more horizon towards the Land of Completeness.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My meeting with lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be enjoined every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Then and now we challenge God to provide us a “sign” that we’re not alone in our desert wanderings and times of crisis. Stories that we’ll hear this weekend remember that from time to time God does indeed give notice that there’s a power beyond ourselves, not dependent upon our good works or spiritual acrobatics. These probably happen more than we think; I know that God has to knock me on the side of the head with a special mallet with my name on it in order to see that which is right before my eyes… What? You too?

WE begin with I KINGS 19:4-8, a story about the prophet Elijah. A synopsis: there hadn’t been rain in Israel for a long time, and the crops were dying. The priests of Baal had engaged YHWH’s man, Elijah, in a contest on Mt. Carmel to see whose sacrifice would be accepted. You probably remember how nothing happened when the Baal-ites prayed–but when Elijah prayed, fire came down from heaven and consumed even the impossibly wet sacrifice! A sign, fer sure! And then it started raining, another sign. Queen Jezebel was angry with Elijah for showing up “her” priests and then killing them: “you’re dead meat,” she said, or something like that. So our text finds Elijah on the run to Mt. Horeb/Sinai; discouraged, he lay down to die, but an angel woke him with food and drink for the journey–ANOTHER sign. God had more for Elijah to do.

EPHESIANS 4:25-5:2 is more of an admonition than a story, yet it’s full of signs given by the grace of God. As the community and its individuals (“members of one another”) become transformed into the image of Christ, certain traits appear: honesty, compassion & forgiveness, meaningful work and encouragement. Likewise jealousy, bitterness and angry words will vanish, and the marks/signs of the Holy Spirit will be observed. These marks identify the Christian responder as beloved property of God, not to be harmed. Those willing are invited to deliberately embrace this discipline of intentional response to the work of Christ among them.

The Gospel (are you surprised?) is from JOHN 6:41-51, more conversation about Jesus’ announcement that he is the bread that comes down from heaven. What a claim, said the traditionalists! “In being so direct,” says Will Willimon, “Jesus provokes a crisis in our apprehension of him. Now there is no room for evasion on our part….Whatever we need in order to comprehend Jesus must come as a gift, insight not of our own devising. It must ‘come down from heaven’.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 3:337). Two concepts here shock our comfortable spirituality: first, that any salvation is generated in heaven; and second, that this “bread” sign is given to those whom God wants to involve. (As a United Methodist, I believe that these involved by God are ALL humanity; others will opt for a doctrine of holy election.)

The difference between a SIGN and a SYMBOL, I dimly remember, is that a symbol becomes the visible part of an invisible concept (money, or the flag); and a sign has no value of its own, rather it points to that which IS valuable. Be as it may, this weekend’s lessons bring signs to the lonely, the doubtful, the grieving and the seeker.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My meditations on scripture readings assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

“Well. Bread again.” was the comment heard at my Wednesday morning lectionary study group. The “Staff of Life” does indeed get major emphasis throughout the Holy Writings, perhaps because it is a universal commodity. Everyone needs bread. For many ancients, bread was the only food available; before Costco, with its wide diversity, folks relied on bread to stave off starvation. For us children of the ’60s, “bread” became a word for money. We remember the story of the baker with many children: he always needed the dough… Scripture readings for the upcoming weekend do include bread in a symbolic sort of way; the inner story is of God’s providence and largess.

EXODUS 16:2-4, 9-15 tells of the recently freed Hebrews just beginning their wandering in the wilderness of Sinai. Not surprisingly, the Back to Egypt Committee (every congregation has one) were belly-aching: “We shoulda stayed where we were! At least we had food, although we were slaves!” God told them to get a life by sending Heavenly Bread every morning–they called it “Manna”/ “What is it?” Beyond this sign is a compassionate and loving God who’s there in times of distress and spiritual hunger. Since manna was there every morning, the People began to realize that God can be depended upon, and there was no need to hoard. Can we “moderns” learn from this? The Psalmist announces that “you have turned my mourning into dancing”…

The letter to the EPHESIANS (4:1-16) exhorts Christians to live as God’s People, not tossed and blown off course by the schemes of evil people, but growing into the being of Christ. “Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” The author is insistent on this external grace, received not through our merits, but given abundantly by the Creator who loves us. We and the Ephesians need to know that the Bread of Heaven is not only a sign of divine love, but goes beyond that to a provision which doesn’t leave us in the wilderness.

JOHN 6:24-35 picks up the narrative after the feeding of the multitudes: people who wanted more free food piled into Capernaum by boat to see Jesus. They invoked Moses, “our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness”; but Jesus told them, “it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven”. This bread, then and now, is the bearer and sustainer of life. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” More metaphors? Yes and no…

The Tempter earlier told Jesus, “Be relevant! Turn stones into bread and feed the world!” But the Bread of Life is that abundance which endures, given through the Creator’s benevolence and largess. Some in your hearing may well be wandering hungry, and need a reminder of satisfying grace. God calls us to prosper even in the wilderness, away from the slavery of whatever Egypt controls us. Feed me ’til I want no more…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounters with scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be viewed every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Well, I screwed up my calendar, and sent the scripture lessons for THIS week LAST week…. So I’m gonna devote this space to the Psalter reading, which generally gets overlooked. The Psalter for the upcoming weekend is Psalm 145:10-18; although the entire Psalm is worth reading, and in at least one tradition–United Methodist–is somewhat expanded. This is a Psalm of Praise, very fitting for most folks in mid-summer’s greenery. It’s easy to praise God when everything is rich and full; how about when a season of bleakness captures us? How about those hungry & homeless? Can THEY praise God?

The word “all” jumps forth throughout the reading: “The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.” All God’s works and all God’s words, all God’s ways and all God’s doings; “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” “Praise offered in the darkest hours springs from a confidence in God’s unfailing goodness even when that is not immediately visible.” (Tom Are, Jr., in FEASTING on the WORD B 3:274)

Notice the many times “your Kingdom” appears: people will worship by acknowledging its glory and splendor; “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.” This Kingdom has shown its power from the beginning–the contemporaries of the psalmist AND the worshipers of today can rest assured that despite “the wrong being oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” (Maltbie Babcock)

The preacher or study -leader confronted by this psalm does well to remember that such praise springs from telling stories of how God has entered our holy history. Pastor Michelle often begins prayer-time by asking, “Where have you seen God at work this week?” Where have you seen God’s sacramental in-breaking in the old family stories, or even in the cultural tales which may include an overview of wandering in the wilderness to finally arrive at the Promised Land?

These lazy, hazy, crazy days may be our opportunity to watch the rain, or to see shapes in the clouds–or to lovingly bask in God’s Steadfast Love! Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices; who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices; Who from our mother’s arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please join me each Tuesday at this spot, as we’re encountered by the lessons assigned to the upcoming week: horacebrownking.com

One of the vicious prevailing myths of today is that of Scarcity. Those who claim to remember the Great Depression have urged us all to hoard what we have just in case lean days come to starve us. The people who know about world food supplies tell us that there’s plenty to go around, once we learn how to distribute it. In the meantime, we’re divided into Haves and Have-Nots, feeling guilty about owning more than some, yet unsure of what to give up… But that’s another story–scriptures for the coming weekend speak of a generous God who always gives us more than we need. Abundance with left-overs!

We begin with a few verses from II Kings 4:42-44: these appear in the canon to identify Elisha as a worthy successor to Elijah (see I Kings). Just as Elijah lifted up the providence of God to the destitute and the hungry, so Elisha announces that there’s no scarcity in God’s care. The disciple–the story needs his input–questions that there’s enough to feed the crowd; and the prophet assures everyone that the abundance of God will always prevail, WITH left-overs! This isn’t really a story about hungry people as much as it is about a God who’s present with Good Gifts even in a time of need. Culture gets sidetracked in its temptation to worship powers other than the Creator…and here is another reminder that with God, there’s plenty…

Paul or one of his friends blessed the Church in Ephesus with a continued wish for their insight as to the majesty and completeness of God’s Kingdom (Ephesians 3:14-21). The author prays (and so should we) that the Church might know the immense dimensions of God’s Place, “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.” Again the holy instance is lifted up against the “knowledge” of the world: while the society around us cries “Scarcity”, God-followers can say with assurance that there’s plenty.

The Gospel is John’s account of the Feeding of the Multitudes, 6:1-21. One of the few miracles recorded in this Gospel, here John is contrasting the World with the Presence of God. We probably know the tale of Jesus making a huge crowd satisfied with morsels of five loaves and two fish. But again this isn’t only about human needs, but rather an affirmation of how much God provides for us. The disciple–see an earlier paragraph–must ask the question from human perception, “what are they among so many people?” And God/Jesus replies, “Let me show you!” When everyone was filled, there were enough pieces left to fill a basket for each of the Tribes of Israel; no one would get left out.

I love the word PROVIDENCE. There’s sorta an eternal ring to it, that SOMEone’s in charge! Everyday I count my money–but tomorrow we may all be dealing in woodpecker scalps instead of equities… I need these readings to remind me again that come Hell or High-water, God has everything under control… that God WANTS to give me more than I need, and can do this. “To God be the Glory, great things God has done!”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My musings upon lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

I’ve always sorta admired my colleagues who’ve been courageous enough to speak out or demonstrate against injustice or other forms of selfishness. I myself am quite fond of a regular salary, decent clothes and a long-term address! It’s true; the prophets among us run a risk of being shunned, losing prestige and maybe even death. Scripture for this weekend tells the stories of two guys who spoke truth to power, an encouragement to us pew-sitters who Go Along to Get Along.

We begin with Amos (7:7-15), a prophet–not his term–to the divided kingdom of David: Israel to the north, Judah to the south. He spoke of a plumb-line (a device builders use to determine gravity and therefor whether a structure is in line): God is measuring Israel’s alignment in life-style and justice. Israel was evidently full of people who were dazzled by the luster and lust for today’s toys. Michael Jenkins observes that “the hypocrisies of people who stand on their religion while neglecting the common humanity, who have moved the boundary markers of compassion in their own hearts so they can trample the needy and bring ruin to the poor, have inflamed the anger of the Lord.” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 3:222) For his troubles Amos was banished from Israel and sent home to Judah.

The author of Ephesians 1:3-24 goes to many words to assure his readers of the “lavish” grace of God to all. These and we who hear and respond in faith are imprinted by the mark of the Holy Spirit. I wish that he had told us a little more what this means for daily life–but perhaps it’s a better ethic to ask God about each situation as it arises.

Why does Mark, the bare-bones of the Gospel, take us on a retrospective trip to John the Baptizer? No matter: it’s instructive to read about how the Baptizer spoke up about Herod’s “appropriation” of his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herod had appreciated John’s sincerity and was sorry that his step-daughter & her mother conspired to execute John. But what could he do? He’d promised before his friends and officials–so John lost his head over a dancing-girl! Herod the bon-vivant was contrasted to the ascetic John, which fits with Mark’s presentation of binary evil and good: it’s either one or the other. Reading ‘twixt the lines, the Good News is that we don’t have to settle for the ethics of this political moment….

The role of the prophet is to confront and publicly point out spots of idolatry, that is, those places where human selfishness has promoted itself and closed out God. Amos & John the Baptizer lived about 700 years apart, yet their efforts continue to be necessary in every generation. Where can We The Church speak about materialism and distrust to a society which condones winning at any cost? Or should I just keep quiet and collect my pension….? Pray for wisdom, both mine and yours.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My ruminations on lessons proscribed for the coming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot at horacebrownking.com

The Fourth of July always presents a daunting challenge to preachers. Every congregation includes a super-patriot or two whose motto is “My Country, Right or Wrong!”; some folks who actually DO love America and want to address how it could be better; and most of the rest, all who think that Red, White & Blue is a lovely color-scheme. And then there’s God. This could be a field-day for those of us who are Prophetic, unafraid to speak Truth, Justice and Peace to the rest of us: prophets need to address those things of the world which are not of God; and to equally announce the things that ARE of God to a hungry world. Do we pride ourselves on being rebels??

Ezekiel’s commissioning (2:1-5) has YHWH sending Ezekiel to a “nation of rebels”, the people of Israel. You’ll need to tell the back-story: armies of Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and had taken anyone who was someone off to Babylon. Ezekiel, of the priestly class, was one of those exiled. Could YHWH be even in that awful city, Babylon? Or had YHWH abandoned & excluded the People? Ezekiel was called even by the Chebar River of Babylon to say “Thus says the Lord God”–would anyone listen? Some will, some won’t. Making this an analogy for today can be the whole sermon/study class: Is YHWH in charge even in this alien culture? When nothing’s the same, will there still be standards of faith & justice? Will God find us even when we think we’re alone?

Paul was writing to a contentious group of churches in Corinth, II Corinthians 12:2-10. What at first seems desperate self-justification yields eventually into a realization of being held in a grip not of our own choosing. If nothing else springs out, the phrase “My grace is sufficient for you…” can keep us together despite a surrounding arrogance of “We’re #1!”

Mark 6:1-13 tells about Jesus going home to Nazareth, probably for the holiday weekend. The home boys recognized him as son & brother to a local family, and derided his holiness–talk about a rebel nation! “And he could do no deed of power there….he was amazed at their unbelief.” As if in response to his Ezekiel-like experience, he himself sent out his twelve friends to the rebels all around: they were to travel light, accept hospitality, and to expect rejection by some. Even so, they managed to preach a turn-around and to cast out demons, important to Mark.

Somewhere amid the flags & multi-colored cupcakes comes the Word of the Lord. We speak Truth, Justice & Peace the best we can, knowing that some will do something about it and others won’t. Don’t take it personally, like Paul did. Sabine Baring-Gould wrote, “Crowns & thrones will perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the Church of Jesus constant will remain.” Our small voice is yet important in the Grand Scheme of Things. Rejoice! The Lord is near!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

My encounters with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be visited every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com

Readings for this Summer weekend are what we need to hear: that God is in charge even when sickness and death come calling, even when the powers of the universe buffet us around. In a departure from the norm, we’ll look at a psalm of comfort, some thoughts of St. Paul about equity, and two stories about Jesus. Under all of these is a God-awareness that supports the helpless and bereaved. I hope this isn’t you–but it just could be…

Psalm 130 acknowledges that we often call upon God for mercy when the chips are down, when other helpers fail and comforts flee. The psalmist notes that she waits for the Lord in expectant hope of God’s nature, since God created dawn to push away the curtains of night with its attendant terrors. Watchers for the dawn can be confident that sooner or later the day will be brighter. “For in the Lord is love unfailing, and great is [God’s] power to set [humans] free.” God alone delivers, and no lesser human substitute will suffice.

Paul has been taking a collection from his planted congregations for the relief and comfort of the congregation in Jerusalem. Some of these churches gladly kicked in what they could; but others were dubious of Paul’s motives, and didn’t much want to help their formerly (?) Jewish brothers & sisters. To the church in Corinth he writes (II 8:7-15), “it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need”, a matter of sharing the wealth just as Jesus treated all persons equally. They could claim any prosperity and power as holy attributes, and now Paul was testing the genuineness of their love. Some expounders of the Word use this passage as a bludgeon to guilt their people into digging deeper–DON’T DO IT!! But do bring Jesus into this: “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

Move quickly to the two healing stories recalled by Mark 5:21-43: Jairus’ daughter and an unnamed Daughter of Zion who had an uncontrolled bleeding problem. These can’t only be examples of Godly concern for those who believe, but more, a restoration to “polite society”–Temple worship– for those who many said that God had cursed. Jesus’ main message here is that God continues to hear the prayers of the desperate and outcast. This is a good opportunity to speak of Holiness and Wholeness, that healing is of body, mind and spirit. Both the girl’s father–Jairus–and the afflicted woman had the inspiration to reach out and claim this announced power. Why not make an analogy of it? Just as these ancients claimed the merciful nearness of God, so contemporary believers can and should look to God for their salvation and restoration.

If there’s a golden thread running through these readings, it is one of Expectancy. The psalmist expects dawn to sooner or later usher in comfort and new energy in the midst of bereavement. Paul expects Christian congregations to share their resources with each other. And Jairus and the ill woman both expect Jesus to have the power and desire to make things whole again. God’s Presence is here: claim the Gift and praise the Giver!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join me in exploring God every Tuesday at horacebrowning.com