Be Revealed
Thursday, April 30, 2020
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Morning Psalm- Psalm 5
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing. 2 Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
Scripture Reflection
Colossians 3:1-11 So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Yesterday, we talked about true unity, unity in love. Today, the Apostle addresses that which helps a community unite and that which hurts a community. The Apostle uses the image of the church as the body of Christ, we each are members of the body with Jesus Christ being the head. What we do as individuals affects our own bodies individually, but as we are united and part of a single body, our individual choices also affect the rest of the body. What we do matters beyond ourselves and that’s a good thing. It means that when we are working together for good we have a collective impact which not only helps us and helps our community, it also shows others an image of Jesus. It shouldn’t be a big surprise that when we work together to be more like Jesus was in the gospels then together we, the church, will be showing people what Jesus was like. But beyond just showing what Jesus was like, the Holy Spirit makes Jesus present for them and us. That's so glorious.
This is the good news for us and for the world that is really hungry for the kind of love, compassion, and healing that Jesus showed. The good news is that Jesus invites us to not carry around the baggage of our old lives, but to take a bath, change our clothes and start living a new day a new way, together; a way that we know brings us peace and others joy. Not only are you showing people who you really are, your authentic self, you’re also showing them who Jesus is. “When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” This is true of when Christ returns, but it is also true today: reveal Christ through your life today and you reveal who you really are, in glory.
A group of nurses from Vanderbilt Medical Center earlier this month, praying for their medical unit,
revealing Christ, and being revealed by Christ, in glory.
Let us Pray:
Satisfy us with your love in the morning,
and we will live this day in joy and praise.
Loving God,
as the rising sun chases away the night, so you have scattered the power of death in the rising of Jesus Christ,
and you bring us all blessings in him.
Especially we thank you for
the ministry of Word and Sacrament . . . those who serve and care for others . . . the affection of our friends . . .
your call to love and serve one another . . . the presence and power of your Spirit . . .
People of God, for what else do we give thanks? Add your own prayers of thanksgiving.
Mighty God,
with the dawn of your love you reveal your victory over all that would destroy or harm,
and you brighten the lives of all who need you.
Especially we pray for
the church in the Pacific region . . . endangered species of animals and plants . . .
those who are isolated by sickness or sorrow . . . those who suffer mental anguish . . .
all who seek the way and truth of Christ . . .
And for Dick Shepley and his family, the family of Ed Sherrick, Mary, Sharon Herrold, Duana, Brenda and Cliff, Bob, Rochelle, Karen and Steve, Barb and Butch, Sharron Blezard, Marcia, John and Susan, Rose, Phil and Alice, Stanley Hope, Jake, John, Julie, the nurses of our Medical Outreach Clinic and…
People of God, for what else do we pray? Add your own prayers.
Holy God, your love is higher than the heavens and your grace is wider than the sea.
Awaken our hearts to the joy of your presence and open our lips to sing your praise;
to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God the Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit watch over us. Amen.