August 13, 2020

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
​
Read Psalm 133. We will focus on this Psalm during worship this Sunday. What is God saying to you today through this Psalm?

Revelation 15 seems to be a relevant place to focus this morning. The coronavirus has altered the way we live. With a COVID-19 related death in the US every 80 seconds the threat is real. Add an economic crisis, disruption of travel and altering of interactions, face masks as the new norm, worshiping in ways that protect the vulnerable, children parents and teachers sorting out school options, the postponement of football, and the pending descent of locusts, it’s hard to keep from gazing at Revelation with eyebrows raised. 

The Book of Revelation is a complex, coded work written at a time of social and political unrest.  What might God do when the world is coming to an end?  What forces could God unleash to finally wrestle creation away from the powers of this world to ultimately bring about the kingdom of heaven?  Every age and time has had to grapple with Matthew 24.  Jesus speaks of the end of the age.  There will be wars and rumors of wars, etc.  He also says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

Some faith traditions focus intently on the signs of the end of the age.  Pentecostal and evangelical traditions emphasize getting yourself ready for the end of the world so that you can enter into heaven.  The United Methodist and other mainline protestant traditions do not ignore the call to repentance and readiness for the coming of Christ.  But the clarion call is to recognize Christ in the world here and now and to work to bring peace to all through the love and care of others.  Do the work Jesus has given us to do and trust God in all things.

Are we living in a time when the seven angels are bringing the seven plagues?  Who knows.  God is in control and there is nothing to fear.  Whether or not all that is happening and the things that are yet to come are signs of the end of the age or are challenges we will need to overcome, we can respond.  We can love one another and serve others as Christ has taught us.  What does that look like for you?

Peace,
Dean