3rd Sunday After Pentecost, June 5, 2016
Third Sunday After Pentecost (Year C)
Scripture Readings*: 1 Kings 17:8-16, Psalm 146, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17
1 Kings 17:8-16
God’s commands are often difficult. To ask a widow to use her last meal to bake the prophet a cake could seem to be self-serving. To trust the word of the prophet, and obey his request was equally challenging. For Elijah and the widow, their act of obedience to the command of God resulted in provision.
Galatians 1:11-24
Prior to Paul’s conversion, he was a zealous and hostile promoter of Judaism, and a persecutor of the Church. His dramatic experience of grace so changed Paul, rather than persecute Christians, he committed his life to love and serve others.
While it is true that God revealed His Son through the great apostle’s teaching… it is equally significant that God revealed His Son in the transformed life lived by the apostle. And God still intends to reveal Jesus—in us.
Luke 7:11-17
A large crowd followed Jesus as he was traveling from Capernaum to the city of Nain (about 25 miles). There was also a crowd following a woman whose only son had died, on their way to the burial ground. One crowd was rejoicing in the teachings and blessings of the Lord. The other crowd is mourning the death of an only son who was the widow’s only resource.
The sorrow was not overlooked. Jesus, moved with compassion, brings life to the son… and joy to the widow and crowd.
Where Are You Going?
Today’s readings are filled with movement… action… journeys. God tells Elijah, “Go to Zarephath and live there…” Paul, in his letter to the church in Galatians, writes of not returning to the center of his old life, but journeying instead into Arabia, Syria, and Cilicia. Jesus Himself was traveling to a town called Nain. And in each situation, their journeys created opportunities for God to intersect with and transform the lives of those they encountered.
Where are you going today? Whether it’s to your place of business, the grocery store, or to school, there are people waiting to meet God through you. Journey with Jesus today. By his grace, spiritual hunger will be fed, the Gospel will be seen, and new life will be felt!
Prayer for Second Sunday After Pentecost – Merciful God, help me to delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, helping others see you in my journey; through Jesus Christ, Amen.
*Readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C
Free download: get pdf versions of these devotionals for every season in Year C