Unimaginable Possibilities
- davidwperk
- Jun 25, 2024
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Proper 7, the week of the second Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, `Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.' 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, `Then who can be saved?' 26But Jesus looked at them and said, `For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 973)
AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, [95]
Num. 16:20-35; Rom. 4:1-12; Matt. 19:23-30
Today we celebrate the Feast of James Weldon Johnson. (See below.)
David's Reflections
In his poem “Rabbi Ben Ezra,” Robert Browning wrote:
All I could never be,
All men ignored in me,
This, I was worth to God.*
Possibilities. Just what are your possibilities? Can you find the
measure of freedom you need to let go and follow Jesus? Can you become
the person your yearnings tell you that you want to be? Have you hoped for too little or for the wrong thing? Just where would Jesus take your life if you let go into God’s Spirit?
In this text, Jesus says it is very tough for those with wealth to follow him and serve. They must let go of much. Yet, Jesus' own followers were not without means, and they had let go to follow him. Peter, Andrew, James, and John had left their fishing businesses.
What does this Gospel say to us about possibilities. It tells us that God intends good to us.. We are worth far more to God than we can begin to imagine, although we may not be able to imagine why. The poet understood that God sees in us what no human being can. The poet understood that already God treats us as though we already have become all that God intends.
Today, what distresses you? Where is your despair about yourself and about becoming more fully the person that God knows you are already? Can you hear in these verses how valued you are to God? Can you trust that transformation is happening and will happen? Can you trust that you will continue to be loved far beyond any capacity you imagined anyone had to love you.
I find myself haunted by words in Eucharistic Prayer A in The Book of Common Prayer. ‘Holy and gracious Father, in your infinite love you made us for yourself.” (BCP 361). I imagine—God enjoys us and delights in us. Something Fisher Humphreys, former faculty colleague and friend said in a sermon brought those words to mind. “Once upon a time the Father said to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, ‘This love that we share, and this life that we share, are too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s make a world to share them with.’ So they did. And that is how the world began.”+
“Holy and gracious Father, in your infinite love, you made us for yourself.”
*Robert Browning, “Rabbi Ben Ezra,” https://poets.org/poem/rabbi-ben-ezra
+Fisher Humphreys, Sermon "Behold Your God." St. Mary's in the Highlands Episcopal Church, Trinity Sunday, 2007.
Collect of the Day, Proper 7, the second Sunday after Pentecost
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 230)
Today we celebrate the Feast of James Weldon Johnson, poet and civil right activist (died 26 June 1938 CE).
Collect of the Feast of James Weldon Johnson
Eternal God, who gave your servant James Weldon Johnson a heart and voice to praise your Name in verse: As he gave us powerful words to glorify you, may we also speak with joy and boldness to banish hatred from your creation; in the Name of Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen. (BCP, 123)
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP,258)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
A Prayer to the Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, breathe new life into your people. Show us the true meaning of the Gospel, and enkindle our hearts with a fire that will transform our lives. Grant us the unity for which Jesus prayed—now and forever. Amen.
People’s Companion to the Breviary: The Liturgy of the Hours with Inclusive Language. Vol. 2. Indianapolis: Carmelite Sisters of Indianapolis, p. 328.
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 19:23-30
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, `Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.' 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, `Then who can be saved?' 26But Jesus looked at them and said, `For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.' 27Then Peter said in reply, `Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?' 28Jesus said to them, `Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
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
Comments