1 Corinthians 12:12-27 The Body of Christ

 

Observation: Paul is writing to a community of Christians in Corinth, and they have had a lot of division and turmoil. Paul needs to remind them that even though they have different spiritual gifts, they are all equally valuable to God, and in fact they are connected. He uses the image of a body--Christ's body--to remind his readers that they need each other. 

Application: Believe it or not, I had already planned to do a sermon series later this summer on the Body of Christ. This isn't the only place in the New Testament, or even in Paul's writings, where this image is brought up. There's a lot to talk about with Paul's inspired metaphor. Today, the thing that stands out for me is verse 26, "if one member suffers, all suffer together with it". The body of Christ is interconnected, and it is not truly healthy while any part if it is hurting. This means my own spiritual and emotional health is important not just to me, but to the whole body of Christ. 

There's a way of looking at families, churches, and other close groups called 'systems theory.' the basic idea is that sickness and health are not just individual, but communal. One family member may be the 'identified patient,' the one suffering from cancer, depression, an addiction, or another ailment. But their condition affects the whole family's behavior, and even when the 'identified patient' becomes healthy again, there will be much work to do for the family to adapt and also become well. It's not enough to treat one part of the system. You have to look at the whole system.

I guess the takeaway today is that being part of a body means our own health--especially spiritual health--is not just our own individual concern. Tending to our own lives, in body, mind and spirit, is a blessing to our families and our churches, too. It's not selfish to take the time and effort to get well in whatever way we need. The body needs us. 

Prayer: God, help me be well. Help me to take my wellness seriously. Heal me when I hurt, and help me to heal the hurts of others as your Spirit gives me ability. In Jesus' name, Amen.    

Titus 1:1-9 Blameless Leaders

 

Observation: Paul writes to Titus about finding leaders in every town who can manage the work of the church. He speaks of elders and of bishops (a word which means "overseer"), and lists many personal moral qualifications. Blameless, married only once, children are believers, not accused of debauchery or licentiousness, not addicted to alcohol or greedy for gain, not arrogant, with a firm grasp of the word and Christian teaching, the list goes on and on...in short, the church needs leaders of the highest quality, because their job is difficult, and the world is watching. 

Application: In the ELCA, this is a season of Synod Assemblies, which is where the leadership of bishops is on full display. I am pleased to say, despite the many challenges of meeting online for the very first time, and recovering from eye surgery, our bishop and his team led admirably. There was a tremendous amount of work to do as a church, but Bishop Satterlee rose to the task, and his report reminded us not just of what we do, but why: for the sake of spreading the Good News of Jesus to a world in need. 

Synod Assembly season is also a season of bishop elections, and our denomination had a rare moment of being in the national news for electing our first openly transgender bishop: The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, bishop elect of the Sierra-Pacific Synod. I will link to a couple of news stories about their election and their ministry up to this point, but suffice it to say, of the many stringent expectations Paul places upon Titus in finding bishops and leaders of the Church, Pastor Rohrer appears to meet them all. But that does not mean they will not need our prayers...indeed, even under normal circumstances, the life of a Christian leader is a difficult one, to say nothing of the public vitriol which is surely already coming Pastor Rohrer's way. So today, I pray for them, as well as for our synodical bishop, Craig Satterlee, and our presiding bishop, Elizabeth Eaton. 

I honestly can't say what a "blameless" life and ministry looks like. There are things on Paul's list which I would have questions about, and things I might add. To me, knowing how stressful leading a church can be, I know it's dangerous to aspire to perfection. I'll never get there. But I can be perfectly imperfect. Perfectly ready to be the right person for this time and place, and to trust a perfect God to work with my imperfections. That's what I aspire to in my ministry, and that's how I will pray for our bishops today. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, stir up in all Christian leaders the ability to dwell in you, to be formed by you for all the challenges of this day, and at the last, to turn them over to you, who do not slumber nor sleep. Ignite the spirits of our bishops, Elizabeth and Craig, and the spirit of Megan, newly elected to lead your people in the Sierra Pacific synod. Given them the strength they will need for today. Forgive them when they fall short, and give them the capacity to forgive others. Defend them from every evil. May they be blameless in their conduct, but even more in their trust that you can use our imperfections for the sake of your mission in this world. I pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

For Further Reading: 

Lutherans Elect First Openly Transgender Bishop Megan Rohrer 

Megan Rohrer elected bishop of ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod

Office of the Presiding Bishop, ELCA

What is a Synod?

1 Timothy 6:13-16 Without Spot or Blame

 

Observation: The words that catch my attention in this pastoral letter are "without spot or blame." Paul, or a representative writing in his name, encourages Timothy, a young pastor, to keep the commandment without spot or blame: flawlessly. Perfectly. He reminds Timothy that Jesus himself did this by freely confessing who he is in front of Pontius Pilate, knowing the consequence would be death. The words "without spot or blemish" are often used in the Hebrew Bible for a temple sacrifice: a goat or a lamb. 

Application: I'm a lot of things, but I am not "without spot or blame." I don't always know what to make of letters like this, that demand perfection. What I do know is that Jesus is without spot or blame, and he has willingly sacrificed himself for me. That doesn't let me off the hook, of course. In gratefulness for his sacrifice, I still try to get up and follow him as best I can each day, dwelling on his teachings, imitating his sacrificial love for the people he puts before me. But I know I can't reach perfection. The spots and blemishes will remain, but Jesus has taken care of them. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Jesus, Lamb of God, thank you for your sacrifice for me. Thank your for your grace and mercy. Help me to move forward into this day, giving yesterday's spots and blemishes over to you, keeping your greatest commandment of love. In your name I pray. Amen.