What Are the Creative Possibilities?
- davidwperk
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, July 11, 2025
Proper 9, the week of the fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
1:1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,”’
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)
Daily Office Lectionary readings: (BCP, 974)
AM Psalm 16, 17; PM Psalm 22
1 Samuel 17:17-30; Acts 10:34-48; Mark 1:1-13
Today we celebrate the Feast of Benedict of Nursia. (See below.)
David's Reflections
Today's Gospel confronts us with at least two levels of newness and creativity. First, the story narrated has to do with God's keeping of the recurring divine promises to send a savior and fulfill the hope expressed through the prophets for the dawning of a new age of salvation and peace. John the Baptist was a prophet and his coming ushered in a new age of prophecy, the first prophet to arise in Palestine in several centuries.
John preached that a savior was following on his heels and that this mysterious figure would appear with forgiveness, the gift of the Spirit, and salvation in his train. God was about to do something new.
The second level of creativity comes to us in the Gospel itself. Mark wrote first among the four Gospels, and he created a new literary form. Nothing comparable to a Gospel existed before. He evidently drew his inspiration from two literary genres--the Old Testament way of giving selected narratives of its key figures (Abraham, Moses, David) without giving complete biographies, and the Hellenistic hero biography. But, Mark's Gospel is unique, being something more than either of those two literary types.
What promise of newness and creativity lurks on the horizon of your life? Sprigs can grow out of the stump of a tree cut down; newness and creative living can spring forth from despair and deadness. The resurrection of Jesus speaks to that possibility. Resurrection life has a way of kicking open doors marked “impossible.” Look into your life today at the most lifeless place, the place of greatest weakness, the place of most profound despair. A John the Baptist message may be lurking there, a promise of newness and life and creative renewal.
Can I believe it? Can I embrace the possibility? Can I dare risk hoping for it? Can I allow my desire and longing to stay alive while I stretch toward it? Jesus' coming always seems to be into the Palestines of our despair and emptiness. The stirrings of even the smallest hope and the weakest faith signal his approach and our soul's leaning toward his yet unseen salvation, like the smell of a thunderstorm promising relief on a scorching day.
God specializes in new beginnings. Mark 1:1 says, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” Here Mark alludes to Genesis 1:1, “In beginning.” What new beginning might spring forth in your life? Where might creative divine energy sprout?
At the risk of adding another metaphor, would that we could be surprised by possibilities as was Spanish poet, Antonio Machado.
I thought my fire was out,
and stirred the ashes . . .
I burnt my fingers.+
+Antonia Machado, Times Alone: Selected Poems of Antonio Machado, trans. Robert Bly (Hanover, NH: Wesleyan UP, 1983), p. 151
Collect of the Day, Proper 9, the fourth Sunday after Pentecost
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to your with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 230-231)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Benedict of Nursia, founder of western monasticism (died ca 547 CE).
Collect of Benedict of Nursia
Gracious God, whose service is perfect freedom and in whose commandments there is nothing harsh nor burdensome: Grant that we, with your servant Benedict, may listen with attentive minds, pray with fervent hearts, and serve you with willing hands, so that we live at peace with one another and in obedience to your Word, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 97)
For the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 817)
A Prayer for Light
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)
A Prayer for Mission
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 816-817)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 1:1-13
1:1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,”’
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ 12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
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
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