Proper 10 Yr B
Dance before God

Our Gospel reading today is the account of the death of John the Baptist. This well-known story was remembered by the followers of Jesus and John. After this, Jesus’ ministry moves ahead with even more urgency, causing rumors that Jesus was John raised from the dead.

Using II Samuel: In the first reading, David, having consolidated his political power, now consolidates the religion of Israel in his new capital of Jerusalem. He brings the Ark of the Covenant, which had led the people during the Exodus, to Jerusalem as the sign of God’s presence in the midst of the nation. David leads the people in singing and dancing for joy in the presence of God. (This was a bitter sight to his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, whose kingdom was destroyed and replaced. Trouble lies ahead for David and the children he and Michal produce.)

Using Amos: Amos, like John, confronted the king of his time because of his disregard for God’s law. Like John, Amos’ message was rejected by the rulers. He confronts the priest at the King’s temple. Amos’ uncompromising criticism of disloyalty toward God earns him the royal chaplain’s wrath, who contemptuously calls him a prophet, a seer (a vocation not highly esteemed in those days). He denies that he is a prophet. He is a simple man given a message from God, which he must deliver.

Today we begin reading through the Letter to the Ephesians. This beginning portion summarizes the writer’s theology of Christ and of our relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit.

We gather as a people united in God. We, like John and Jesus, are sent into the world with the message of judgment and salvation. We too are called into the ministry of Christ with people in every age and time. Our gathering here is our time to remember who and whose we are and, in that remembering, to be filled once again with the life of Christ. Thus, we go forth proclaiming in our words and our lives the Good News of salvation.