Today in the Spirit: Easter 6C (Rogation Sunday)
Easter 6 in the BCP 2019 carries the specific title “Rogation Sunday.” The term “Rogation” generally refers to a solemn Sunday. In the context of our liturgical celebration, it is connected with devotions associated with our Lord’s final days on earth (before his ascension). Because of its proximity to Pentecost, originally a harvest festival, Rogation Sunday is also connected with agricultural bounty, which is reflected in some of our readings this week.
The appointed Gospel reading, John 14:21-29 places us in the middle section of Jesus’ upper room discourse (13:31-15:17). There are two main emphases in this teaching we contemplate on as we prepare for Pentecost Sunday: 1) the coming of the Holy Spirit and what he will do in the lives of the disciples; and 2) the reality of an ongoing and more intimate life with Jesus after his death and resurrection. Thus, we will hear: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (26).
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The assigned reading from Acts 14:21-29 is the narration of another incident in Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas in the Lycaonian (now southern Turkey) city of Lystra. In this case, the success of Paul’s ministry is reported to lead not to the jealousy of the Jews but to the misunderstanding of the Gentiles. The crowd identifies Paul and Barnabas with the Greek gods Hermes and Zeus, and Paul responds, “‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them” (15).
The appointed OT reading from Joel 2:21-27 is the passage preceding the one Peter cites in his sermon after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (2:28-32). The earlier passage speaks likewise of a coming period of restoration and abundance by the provision of God: “Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before” (23).
Psalm 67 in our worship this Sunday (also on World Mission Sunday A and Pentecost, Proper 15A) will permit us to join our voices with Israel celebrating the truths revealed in the Joel passage: “Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing’ (6). The psalmist expresses the hope, in keeping with the original covenant language of Genesis, that God’s blessing over Israel will bring renewal to all the earth and its peoples. Note the theme of agricultural abundance for Rogation Sunday.
We go further in our series in Revelation to the climactic final visions of heaven and a purified earth conjoined. In Revelation 21:1-4,22-22:5, we worship contemplating John’s sight of a “new heaven and a new earth” and a “new Jerusalem” identified as the church prepared as “a bride adorned for her husband” (21:2).
The appointed Collect is highly appropriate for a Rogation Sunday with its reference to “good things as surpass our understanding.” Both in nature’s provision and the revelation of Scripture, we have abundance, physical and spiritual, from God. We note, especially in reciting the prayer aloud, the juxtaposition of “such good things” from God and “such love towards you” in hopeful response.
The Collect
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Stand Upright on Your Feet” (Acts 14:8-18)
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Acts 14:8-18
The way Luke tells the story, it appears Paul and Barnabas have been in the area of Lystra and the “surrounding country” (see 14:6) for some time, but with no noteworthy success. In the city of Lystra itself, Paul, probably speaking in the open air to a predominantly pagan audience, sees an opportunity to pray for the healing of a crippled man and takes advantage. What is driving Paul here? Compassion for the man? The chance to demonstrate the power of God? The desire for results? It does not appear Paul gives it much thought as he calls out to the man, “Stand,” and he did.
From the narrative, the result appears to have been a disaster. Did Paul get it wrong? Did he make a strategic miscalculation? Was he controlled too much by a desire for results? No, Paul is following the leading of the Spirit of Jesus here, and, behold, it causes him great trouble. We have to ask ourselves as ministers of reconciliation—whether pastors, parents, or anyone—whether we are failing to take opportunities given to us out of the fear of trouble? After this debacle, and almost getting killed, Paul re-enters the city of Lystra (14:20) and, astonishingly, returns on his second journey (16:1). A disciple named Timothy was there and, likely having seen the earlier “disaster” and how Paul handled himself, became one of Paul’s most faithful companions and a force for the Lord in his own right.
Today, Holy Spirit, give me the fortitude of Paul to calculate less and follow, however recklessly I need to, your leading in gospel ministry.
For the LORD Has Done Great Things (Joel 2:21-27)
21 “Fear not, O land;
Joel 2:21-27
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
22 Fear not, you beasts of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.
23 “Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
24 “The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.
26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
The readings from Joel and Revelation assigned for this Sunday have in common visions of future abundance for the people of God, but with a difference. In Revelation, there is no memory of a traumatic past–tears, death, and mourning being “wiped away.” In Joel, there is a conscious memory of pain from the past. From Joel we hear God’s promises to provide an “early rain for your vindication” (23), to “restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (25), and “my people shall never again be put to shame.” Cautiously in our interpretation of the passage, we may observe that what the Joel passage is doing, and many others like it, is supplying an encouraging vision for the interim future, future on earth as we know it–a future like the ultimate future and foretelling it, but still grounded in present reality.
Devotionally, our Joel passage gives us a taste of the ultimate future, but even more a message of help for the present. As Christians, we still remember the “shame” and scarcity of our past without Christ, but we find it, if not completely swallowed up, conquered and “vindicated.” Now, though we still experience suffering, and suffering as a result of our faith in Christ, do we not also know the abundance of God’s presence and provision in Christ? Even those who have given up much worldly wealth to follow Christ, who among them would refuse to testify that their lives are “richer” now than before? And, as for the “shame” we all have as born sinners, who among us is not rejoicing to cry out with the people of ancient Israel, “never again” (26,27).
Today, in the Spirit, we will look forward with hope to a completely clean start from the vision of Revelation and receive the present consolation of covering over felt pain from Joel. Yes, in Christ, “the LORD has done great things!” (21).
Your Saving Help among all Nations (Psalm 67)
1 May God be merciful unto us, and bless us, *
Psalm 67, New Coverdale Psalter (BCP 2019)
and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us.
2 Let your way be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
indeed, let all the peoples praise you.
4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad, *
for you shall judge the peoples righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, *
and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
7 God shall bless us, *
and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
Or, “Let the nations thank you, O God, let all the nations thank you” (3,5). These two verses are identical in Hebrew as they are in all English translations, suggesting they might be like a refrain in the song’s composition. Though vv. 6-7 give us the impression that the psalm was composed to celebrate a harvest festival, the yield of crops becomes for the psalmist a sign of God’s favor. Behind the prosperity of the land is not merely the natural properties of the soil, sun, and water, but the character of God to “be merciful” (1) and to “judge the peoples righteously” (4). The hope behind these passionate exhortations of the psalmist, in keeping with the ancient covenants of God with Israel (Gen. 12:1-3), is nothing less than the universal worship of the One God.
On an Easter Sunday in which we begin now to contemplate earnestly the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, we find here our gaze must rightly be turned not only up to the heavens from which the Spirit comes but out to the nations where he intends to go. We cannot allow ourselves ever to be content with just the mercy of God in Christ poured out on ourselves individually or even only on our own communities. Nor, when we sense trouble at home, can we complain of our own situations as if that is all that matters. We can and must look, for instance, at the Miao peoples of China or the Mapuche communities of Chile and find in them both a reason to intercede before God (that Christ would reach the unreached through us) and a hope for ourselves (that their faith might inspire our own).
Today, Holy Spirit, on this Sunday of Easter hope, turn our eyes and hearts with you to the nations.
A Bride Adorned for Her Husband (Revelation 21:1-4,22-22:5)
21:1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (21:1-4)
21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever (21:22-22:1-5).
Revelation 21:1-4, 21:22–22:1-5
As worshipers meditating on visions from Revelation this Easter, we might imagine ourselves as participants at a wedding. The narrative brings us to the point of turning our heads to see the bride coming down the aisle. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (22:2). Not so much detail here on the Father and the Son here, as our eyes, much as in an earthly wedding, are fixed on the bride (“the city”)—her aspect (no tears, no anguish, 21:4); her appearance (radiant in the light of God, 21:23); her accessibility (gates never shut, 21:25-26); her adoration (seeing his face, name on the forehead, 22:4); her accession (reigning with the Lord God, 22:5).
Devotionally, for me at least, introducing the word “servants” (22:3) breaks the spell. It takes me back to the image we see in an earlier vision, “‘Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence’” (7:15). All at once the “bride” in the vision is not someone else but me, together with all the saints, there at the altar, the throne, with the Father and the Lamb. The bride of this final vision in Revelation is us. And the wedding and the marriage, which have become two different things on earth, will be the same forever. More on this next week.
Today, hearing Revelation in our worship, we let the Holy Spirit show us the glory of the bride processing to join the Father and the Son, and then run to take our place in the folds of her garment.
He Will Teach You All Things (John 14:21-29)
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.
John 14:21-29
The line “[the Helper, the Holy Spirit] will teach you all things” (26) may strike us as somewhat incongruent with the rest of Jesus’ teaching here. Where our Lord wants to assure the disciples in this instance that what comes next will represent a comfortable continuity with what has come before, this phrase “all things” introduces the possibility of novelty, together, perhaps, with the uncomfortable fear of not knowing where the whole enterprise is going. Two things related to this point can be made: 1) The teaching of the Holy Spirit coming to teach “all things” is securely couched in language about continuity with Jesus. The Helper is sent by the Father in Jesus’ name, and his teaching of anything new will be accompanied by “remembrance of all that [Jesus has said” to them (26); and 2) the Holy Spirit’s teaching “all things” (viz., new things and more things) is inevitable for the ongoing work of Christ with his Church, from the inside, across new generations and in new cultures. The expanded mission will require expanded teaching from Jesus.
In his Readings in St. John’s Gospel, Archbishop Temple has, as always, insight to explain what appears to be inconsistencies: “[The Spirit] represents the Son, and His teaching is that of the Son. But it is not limited, as the teaching of the Lord is, by an approaching catastrophe which fixes the end of the period available. He can continue His teaching until all the ground is covered…Especially will He make those days in Galilee and Jerusalem live again and yield up their secret.”
Is it not amazing that we can walk in the Holy Spirit, seeing new and exciting possibilities for Christian living in the present, and yet, even as we ponder them, we feel compelled to run to the ancient Scriptures to hear the Father and the Son of the past speaking with astounding freshness to us? This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, bringing to remembrance the life of Jesus for our time.
Today, Holy Spirit, our Helper, speak into our hearts that which is from the Father and Jesus, but with a fresh ring to it in “teaching” for our gospel service now.
Today in the Spirit
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