21 June 2006

*** A note from John... Yesterday Al's mother passed away. He requested that I let everyone know that after today's new devotion, we will continue with the archived devotions for the rest of this week. ***

Having been witnesses to the election of the first female presiding Bishop in the Episcopal Church in our country, this piece by Joseph Sittler is a fitting word for us. (from "Gravity and Grace")

Interestingly, no writer of antiquity whom I know anything about ever said, "There is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Aristotle didn't say it; Socrates didn't say it; Plato didn't say it; Solon, the Greek legal authority didn't say it. Nobody in the antique world until St. paul ever expressed such a concept of an absolute erasure of sexual differences.

It would be easy to go along with the fact that nobody in antiquity ever said anything like this. We can dismiss it with 'that was then.' Unfortunately, I do not think we have such courageous writers and speaker today. Just look at some of the reactions to the election of Bishop......... We are still afraid to speak the new language of the Reign of God that brings about new realities that cannot be controlled by what has been and what tries to be the ruling force in life. Already in writing of Paul's words, there is an air of authority that does not come with an argument that will win over the great multitudes or even a strong majority. But...Paul writes it. No matter what comes later to try and shut down those liberating and gracious words of Paul...this is not going to go away. No matter what kind of fear and anxiety that arise among God's people when words of this vision are spoken, the wideness of God's Reign and its amazing journey of life will prevail even among fear-filled and less than adventurous saints. We are a part of a resurrection people who cannot be contained within the barriers of what has been.

Connection: The Spirit pulls us into life beyond our expectations and sometimes, we actually see evidence of such pulling power...even when it is contrary to the prevailing winds. But remember, this Spirit is the wind that brings new things and new thinking and new life into existence. Don't be afraid to be pulled by it today.

Spirit of New Life, how refreshing it is to be nudged by your gentle breezes. And yet, we all know how frightening it can be to be blown off our life positions and stumble into that which is beyond our comprehension or control. Come, O Breath of Life. Amen.