Reflection from your Co-Pastors
August 11, 2020
Ezekiel 2:8-3:4
In today's first reading Ezekiel hears a voice from the heavens and a hand stretches out to him holding a scroll. The scroll is unrolled before him and he is told, "Son of Man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll; then go, speak to the house of Israel... feed your belly and fill your stomach with the scroll I am giving you... go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them."
If you have ever been blessed to attend a service at a Jewish synagogue, then you have seen the sacred scroll brought out from the Ark and read to the people. On the scroll is the entire Torah, the first five books of The Bible- Genesis through Deuteronomy. An unrolled scroll is about 126 feet in length. In my bible, the first five books cover about 211 pages. Ezekiel had a mammoth
task ahead of him to eat the scroll and then take the Word of God to the hard hearted, rebellious Isrealites.
As a Deacon who often shares the Word of God through proclaiming the Gospel and delivering a homily, I am grateful that this practice has not continued down through the centuries. Not literally, that is.
However, this image of eating the scroll is a very accurate picture of how one prepares to proclaim the Word of God as well as interpret it to the community. Our lectors read the scripture passages over and over again before sharing them with the community at our Sunday Mass. We take God's Word into our very being. Often we practice reading it aloud for intonation and accentuation. It is a form of eating the Word, filling oneself with
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the Word, digesting the Word and then sharing God's Word with the community with the hope of it being heard, understood, and instructive to the Christian life.
The practice of writing a homily is a similar process. Read scripture several times. Enter into the passage, taking the role of the disciples, or the woman at the well, or Jesus. Study commentaries, what others have said about this piece of scripture. How does the scripture reading speak to us today? What are the current issues of our world--racism, pandemic, political unrest, isolation, fear? What does our community need to hear? it is essential to remain in prayer throughout the entire process and to listen to the Spirit moving through you to reveal a particular Word of God in this moment. And finally, the homily is written.
So though we no longer have to "eat this scroll," the Word of God continues to fill us entirely, and when the Living Word is shared with the community it provides nourishment to them also.
And all are satisfied.
AMEN
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Discovery and Perspective
An open discussion of scripture
Thursday at 9:00 am
All are welcomed!
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Join in conversation and connection weekly with Pastor Jane
Thursdays - 9 a.m.
Zoom Video Link -
Zoom Phone/Audio Link
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 930 8604 8248 #
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Our Service Recordings and More
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During the service we honored Bishop William J Barber, II, a minister and political activist. Rev. Barber is working to turn the tide against systemic racism, systemic poverty and ecological devastation and could open people's eyes to the heretical nationalistic evangelism. Listen to these powerful speeches. |
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Community Prayer Requests
Please pray for -
The peaceful repose of the soul of David Heyman and comfort for his wife, MaryAnne, and their family.
Jim DeMuth and family for the loss of his sister, Pat DeMuth. For Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Dona Bosse - community member. Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane.
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean. .
For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage and other videos are located here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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