In this together - Reflections - 9-14-16

 Texts at Gloria Dei for September 18, 2016




 Today’s Texts:
 1 Peter 2:9-10
 Ephesians 1:17-23

 Gloria Dei is leaving the lectionary for the month of September to consider God’s calling through Grace Building. But, in case you would like to keep up with the rest of the Church, I will list the lectionary texts we are not using each week and daily readings related to them at the bottom of this post. 

Cosmology. The beginning of all things. Physicists and other scientists have long been in conversation with theologians, sharing understandings and images for the beginning of all things. About a decade ago, my ministry partner (pastor), a physics professor from campus, and my husband (environmental chemist and earth-keeper) met regularly to talk about all this. They all seemed deeply energized by the conversations. I had no idea what they were talking about. The best I could manage was to relax, let my “inner mystic” intuit the images, then just rest with them. 

I thought of that group when I read the last phrase in the Ephesians text this week – “the fullness of Christ who fills all in all”. I think that “cosmos infused with Christ/God” or “filled with Christ” points to some of those conversations and certainly to some concepts found in the works of Pierre de Chardin, Thomas Berry, and Brian Swimme

I also tend to call out that inner mystic when I read the rest of this Ephesians text with its powerful phrases like:  the eyes of your heart enlightened; the hope to which you have been called; the riches of glorious inheritance; and the immeasurable greatness of power. I just relax and let all that wash over me. I feel it before I really even take in the words. All of this is gift from God through Jesus who fills all in all. All of this is for the community – the church – which is Christ’s body. 

The text from 1 Peter also focused on the gift of God’s grace to God’s chosen ones, called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. But, this text adds that we have been chosen precisely so we can share these mighty acts of God through Jesus. 

Obviously I need to move from “washing over” and “resting in” to sharing with and serving others.

The whole people of God were chosen to proclaim God’s love. We are in this together. Wherever we announce God’s forgiveness, bring peace, heal, establish justice, harbor hopes and proclaims promise, we are making God visible to those we serve.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America says our purpose as God’s people is to serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their needs.

Let that wash over you for a moment. How does God call you to respond? How can we respond together?


You are invited to share in the comment section below.

Lectionary Texts for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 8:4-7 
Psalm 113 
1 Timothy 2:1-7 
Luke 16:1-13 

Sunday Luke 16:1-3
Monday Psalm 12:5-7
Tuesday 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Wednesday Proverbs 21:10-13
Thursday Psalm 146:5-8
Friday Proverbs 28:6-8
Saturday Luke 9:43b-48
Sunday Luke 10:17-20

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Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City

Gathered by grace. Scattered for service.

123 E Market Street
Iowa City, IA 52245