Spiritual Heroism

Devotional Reflection Monday, November 28, 2020

The week of the first Sunday of Advent

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

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions* report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.

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

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 936)

AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7

Isa. 1:10-20; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Luke 20:1-8

David’s Reflections

Paul Scherer, Lutheran theologian writes about Christian heroism: "For the Christian, heroism is no gaunt thing which simply faces the odds and outstares them. The Stoics used to manage that. It is a spirit which, leaping against the world, has discovered that God is indeed standing by: but not as one who looks on idly and does nothing; as one who holds himself in readiness to run up at a gesture and throw in all he has! Until from that sovereign hand, out of the evil itself, not in spite of it, comes good; out of the very darkness, light; out of the pain, healing." *

In today’s reading, Paul writes to people he loves and admires as demonstrating heroism. Paul had spent a brief period, perhaps a year or two, in Thessalonica launching a new church. He had been forced to depart, leaving a new congregation of newly converted Christians without his experienced leadership and wisdom. He was limited to sending emissaries and letters. He had no other ways to communicate with these new believers in this new, vulnerable community.

In Scherer’s words, the Thessalonians had a spirit of courage “which, leaping against the world, has discovered that God is indeed standing by.” What courage and faith it took for those people to embrace the Christian message. They were the first believers in Thessalonica—they had no Christian parents or grandparents. Everyone was a first-generation follower of Jesus. They were true pioneers, daring to embrace a new faith and reorder their lives.

Having served as start up priest for a new congregation, All Souls, metro Richmond, VA., I have nothing but admiration and respect for those who dared this venture. We had no sponsoring parish, so every person who committed came from a different situation—some were Episcopalians, others were unbaptized, others came from other denominations. Some had been inactive in church for years. These people became part of a church with no land and no buildings and with new and untested programs.

They are continuing the risk-taking of “leaping against the world.” They have “discovered that God is indeed standing by.” I can echo Paul’s words to the heroes in Thessalonica, addressing them to the heroes at All Souls: “you became an example to all the believers . . . . For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you . . . in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.”

We in established churches have much to learn from these pioneering clergy and laity. Their pioneering can show us new ways to worship, new ways to reach the lapsed and those who have not come to faith. We can borrow from their spirit of courage and innovation and risk-taking. We all can live with more of a spirit of heroism, daring new and risky spiritual ventures personally and as a community.

* Paul Scherer, Love is a Spendthrift: Meditations for the Christian Year (New York: Harper, 1961), pp. 44-45.

Collect of the Day, The First Sunday of Advent

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 211)

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)

Of the Holy Trinity

Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 251)

A Prayer for Light

Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

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

Noonday Prayer, p. 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

Daily Office Epistle, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters* beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions* report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.