Friday, May 1, 2020   (today’s lectionary)
Mayday! Mayday!
1889. Mayday for military parades. Come and see, come and swing around the maypole. It’s the lusty month of May. Can we visit Camelot, Mommy?
Saul breathes fire and blood, murderous threats. But words will never hurt me. And in the ugly atmosphere, more healing, and then a thunderclap from heaven on the Road to Damascus. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up!
Saul got up from the ground.
I can’t see, Lord! Of course not. Your inner blindness has reached the skin, the eyes. The slowness of your mind has caught up with you. But I know the fire that burns in you, and since I gave it to you in the first place, I will now reclaim it for my own use.
Saul got up again, was baptized and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He began at once to proclaim Jesus to the Jews.
And now the action starts in earnest. The plot thickens. The Story will be heard over and over, on hills and in dales. City and town and country, the gospel reigns. Praise the Lord, all you nations, glorify him! (Acts 9 and Psalm 117)
Flesh! Carne! You give us flesh to eat? Your flesh?
Eat my flesh. Drink my blood. We aren’t pretending here. My flesh is true flesh, my blood is true drink. Do you want to remain in me? Then eat me, drink me, let me love you. (John 6)
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May 2, 2020    (today’s lectionary)
 Tabitha’s song
Somnolence is not the same as peace. Peace might just last a little while, but when it marks the end of violence and death, peace brings joy and thanks, rest and love. That changes in time into lethargy or sleep, but oh the joy it brings on its announcement.
The Church throughout Israel was at peace. And she grew with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Come and be healed! Peter holds out his hand, and paralysis flees.
Come back to life! Peter holds out his hand, and death fades away, flung out of Tabitha by the Spirit of God.
This Tabitha, a quiet girl, sang a quiet song to herself and the Holy Spirit, who accompanied her now on her daily walks. How shall I sing, how shall I recompense the Lord? He has been so good to me. I will accept, O Lord God, your cup of salvation. I will eat your flesh and drink your blood, and I will call upon your name.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of your saints. O my God, you have returned me my life for now, and that is precious in my sight. Can I be your servant? I will offer for all my days the sacrifice of thanks, and call upon your name. You are worthy, you are worthy to be praised. (Acts 9 and Psalm 116)
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Jesus cuts through time and space. He makes even his flesh and blood a host of the Spirit. Does this shock you? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
OK, Lord, but I need to eat and drink and sleep, my body is all I have to do that with. My hands and ears and eyes and mouth, my nose that smells the sweet perfumes around me, all I have to do that with. No avail? What do you want from me, Jesus?
Do you also want to leave?
How can I go back to the farm, now, Lord, once I’ve seen gay Paree? Haven’t you ruined us for the life we lived? Nothing now will ever be the same. You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God.
Yes. Look at what you’ve been given, what has been transformed within you and without you. You have lost nothing of value, and received the pearl of great price.
Well, I know we’ll probably sleep on the ground again tonight, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? Being with you is the greatest adventure we could ever have. Life’s a stitch, and then you … die and go to be with Jesus, who sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty. It doesn’t get any better than that. And there is a young girl, Tabitha, in the not-too-distant future … Peter, I want what you’re having. (John 6)
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