My favorite line from today’s Scripture readings:
Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said,
“The LORD is God! The LORD is God!” (1 Kgs 18:39)
It took a major miracle on the part of Elijah to get the Israelites to admit that. What will it take for US to admit it?
Violence, and then fire - an intriguing parallel between Pentecost and the George Floyd riots. But, unlike the violence and fire of an out-of-control plea for justice, the violence and fire of Pentecost were life-giving and transformative. They brought forth courageous men who went forth to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Many of them suffered martyrdom after having given witness to Christ. They were men and women of conviction who stood strong against hostility.
The Apostles and women – including Mary – gathered and prayed in the Upper Room for nine days from Ascension to Pentecost. That’s not unlike the time we’re in right now, as we prepare to move from the “new normal” of COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and fear into the “newer normal” of going out into the world!
This is much like the time of the Apostles in the Upper Room from Ascension to Pentecost. It's an inbetween time as we transition from COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and stay home orders into a time of venturing out into the world to resume life after. Jesus promised us that all things work for good for those who love him. This pandemic, too, will work for good.
2 Comments
Anonymous · June 10, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I've heard that there was once a time when America was not afraid to admit that…
Marge Fenelon · July 21, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Perhaps that time will come again!