July 11, 2018

Connecting with God

Gordon A. R. Edwards | Read Psalm 24:1-2

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Today’s verses illuminate three aspects of creation theology: the earth belongs to God; we who live in the earth belong to God; God is the source of life. The psalmist sees them as inextricably linked to one another and imperative in our relationship with God. These three observations have serious implications for the ways we connect to or disconnect from God.
The earth with everything in it belongs to God. God is the only one who can claim power or possession of the earth. As created beings, we cannot master the earth; but God calls us to be its stewards. Stewards take their direction from the master, who holds them accountable for their work. How we treat the earth reflects how we view our role as the stewards of God’s creation. God will hold us responsible for the state of creation because the earth belongs to God.
As beings on the earth—as part of creation—we also belong to God. We live here because God lets us. How we treat others reveals whether or not we view ourselves and others as created beings who belong to God. God calls us to care for one another as God cares for each of us—with compassion and love. Because we are part of creation, God calls us to invest in rather than exploit one another.
The earth and everything in it—including us—belong to God because God created us. God is the source of life. The psalmist states it clearly: Everything belongs to God. Though technological advancement allows us to feel entitled to and in control of everything within our grasp, we cannot forget that our very existence and our relationship with God depend upon our care for God’s creation.

Lord, teach me that belonging to you means caring for your creation and all that is in it. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” ¹⁵ Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.” ¹⁷ He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, ¹⁸ but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” ¹⁹ So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. ²⁰ This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him. ²¹ Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. ²² Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied. ²⁵ Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” ²⁶ Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, ²⁸ brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.

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Lectionary Week

July 9–15, 2018

Scripture Overview

Two readings this week focus on welcoming God’s presence. David does this by bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. As the ark arrives, David dances with all his might, worshiping God with reckless abandon. In Psalm 24, the author poetically calls a city to open its gates and welcome the great king. These passages invite us to consider how willingly we receive God into our lives. The reading from Ephesians speaks of God’s eternal plan. While circumstances may seem chaotic from our perspective, God holds an eternal perspective and has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. Mark tells us the sad story of the execution of John the Baptist, yet another example of a righteous person experiencing persecution.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19. How do you bless others in your daily life?
• Read Psalm 24. How do you evidence your willingness to be a steward of God’s creation?
• Read Ephesians 1:3-14. When have you experienced a “hiccup” on your journey and found God ready and willing to assist? How did that help come?
• Read Mark 6:14-29. When have you experienced a guilty conscience? What triggered it?

Respond by posting a prayer.

I join many of those who will pray for you as you seek to discern what you are called to be at this moment. May God grant you the courage to fulfill that calling. May we all open our eyes and see the misery, open our ears and hear the cries of God’s people, and, like God through the Lord Jesus Christ, be incarnate amongst them.”

View a growing list of resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism.

—Rev. Sidwell Mokgothu, Limpopo Synod Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and board member for Africa Upper Room Ministries

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Psalm 24:1-2

Mark 6:14-29

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