Embodying Jesus’ Openness

Devotional Reflection, Tuesday December 26, 2023

Week of the Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s epistle reading:

59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.

The Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr. (See below.)

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 941)

AM: Psalm 28, 20; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7  PM:  Psalm 118, Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59-8:8 

David’s Reflections

Diversity generates friction and friction generates heat.  Episcopalians certainly understand that concept.  We embody all sorts of diversity.  Some of us are more protestant, some, more catholic.  Some prefer elaborate ritual and architecture, while others feel more comfortable with fewer symbols and less ritual.  Some of us tend toward a more traditional and literal way of understanding the Bible, while others prefer historical and literary modes of interpretation that may be less compatible with a more dogmatic reading of the documents.

Stephen represented a progressive orientation where relationships with nonJews was concerned.  His perspective was less centered in the Temple and more open to the direct inclusion of nonJews directly into the Christian faith without circumcision.  His sermon in Acts 7 concludes with the rejoinder, “God does not dwell in temples made with hands.”  The sermon includes a litany of events where God revealed Godself, key moments in salvation history like Abraham's call and Moses’ leading of the people out of Egypt.  All those events took place outside Palestine.  Stephen was questioning the fundamental orientation that saw the Temple as the holiest place of all.  The racial and religious elitism of the devout in Palestine was alien to Jesus’ own outlook and practice.

Stephen embodied a radical approach to reaching people, spirituality with a minimum of boundaries between those of faith and those without faith.  That spirituality does not allow itself to be intimidated by those of faith with a more elitist and less inclusive perspective.  Would that our churches will  increasingly and aggressively seek to shower God’s love on people and to draw them toward faith and into meaningful community. Would that we took the risks of embodying Jesus’ openess, as did Stephen.

May it never be said of anyone in our relationship networks that they are not “our kind.”  And may it always be that we exert ourselves to invite and receive all and make our worship as welcoming and accessible as possible.  Also, may we ever be communities where people are more crucial than ideas, a place where theological difference is not only tolerated but treasured, a place where the stranger can experience hospitality and divine grace.

The words of the Lutheran  theologian Gordon Lathrop about those  without faith and their relationship to our worship continue to ring in my memory:

“The task of the assembly is a task of polarity:  make the center strong, the symbols large, the words of Christ clear, and make that center accessible, the circle large, the periphery permeable.”+ At a clergy conference in Virginia where he and Episcopal bishop Neil Alexander were c0-presiding, I had a chance to tell Gordon in person how much those words had meant to me as a church start-up priest, and he expressed delight.

Jesus embodied God’s saving love and hospitalituy to all. Would that we emulate Stephen's example and embody that open, saving love.

+Gordon Lathrop, Holy Things:  A Liturgical Theology [Minneapolis:  Augsburg, 1998], p. 133.

Collect of the Day, The fourth Sunday of Advent

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (BCP, 212)

Today is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr.  You will find a biography, readings, and prayers at the web link:

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Stephen.htm

Collect of the Feast of St. Stephen

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For a Church Convention

Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy and the laity to be assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 255)

In the Order of Worship for Evening

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.  (BCP, 113)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Daily Office Epistle Reading, Acts 7:59-8:8

59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

8 1And Saul approved of their killing him.  That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

  4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8So there was great joy in that city.

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer