Called to be Partners with Christ

At this precarious moment in history it is comforting and challenging to be reminded that we are called into partnership with Christ. (Second Sunday after Epiphany. John 1:29-42; Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.) So often we hear the story of being called as about beginnings, the moment we first hear our name called. Which for many of us was an exciting moment – and may generations to come also feel the excitement and respond – but now we find ourselves in very deep water and many of us feel out of our depth! 

Sentence:

“ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the partnership of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9

Collect:

Faithful God,

who has called us into being since the beginning

and has called us by name to be your beloved ones

in partnership with your Son,

grant us ears that hear and hearts that yearn for your ways,

grant us wisdom, courage and joy in the work of being your people

for the sake of all creation.

This we pray in the name of your Beloved Son. Amen.

Reflection:

At this precarious moment in history it is comforting and challenging to be reminded that we are called into partnership with Christ. So often we hear the story of being called as about beginnings, the moment we first hear our name called. Which for many of us was an exciting moment – and may generations to come also feel the excitement and respond – but now we find ourselves in very deep water and many of us feel out of our depth!

You may like to read what I wrote three years ago.

Being Called by God

During this last week I saw a video of a Bishop challenging his clergy to get their affairs in order, to write their wills, because the time to put bodies on the line and not just holy words, had come. I was shocked, thrilled, and terrified as the reverberations of those words were felt by me and others a whole hemisphere away. Whether it be in response to climate change, or ethnic cleansing in an allied country, or internal violence against one’s own citizens, it is late in the day on many fronts and all of us who carry the banner of Christ need to reflect on what does partnership with Jesus the Christ look like in our part of the world?

Many of us were raised to believe that we were called to worship Jesus and to seek to convert others to worshipping him too. And that is indeed part of what many of us still believe is our purpose. And so much more! Jesus was always about the kingdom of God and making it available to all who had ears which were especially those who were most often left out.

Many of us, especially preachers, have tried to keep spirituality and politics safely, politely separate. And when we have not others have pointed out our “biases” to us. But now there are no neat lines (if there ever were) and to preach the gospel in word and deed is to cross all sorts of lines in order to stand in partnership with the Christ who came to preach hope in hopeless places, and justice and mercy in situations of condemnation, to be love when that was absurdly dangerous, and to pronounce peace in the face of power.

The words of the prophet Isaiah remind us that to be called is sometimes a call to be given a sharp mouth and to end one’s life wondering if we have spent our strength for nothing? And so, we pray with the psalmist “Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.”

Intercessions:

Gracious God,

creator of all that is and everyone,

help us to live, love and respond to your world in the knowledge that all creation is Beloved to you.

We particularly pray for those persons, communities and creatures who are powerless to care for themselves at this time.

We remember in your holy presence ….

And pray you place upon our hearts what is ours to do.

Jesus the Beloved, Redeemer of all the world,

Bless us with the desire, courage, creativity, to see your kingdom

So that we may grow to be your partners in hope, joy, peace and love

And all come to know themselves Beloved and Included.

We particularly pray for those whose needs are not responded to and who are in need of salvation and protection …

Spirit of God, Wisdom and Grace of the Living God,

Animate and enliven us that we may move and live in your world impassioned by your grace and peace

Renew us in the wellsprings of your healing spirit that we and your world may even yet be heaven here on earth.

We particularly pray for those we know to be in need of healing and comfort …

Living God,

Creator, Redeemer of all, Spirit that Sustains,

We pray in the name of your Beloved Son, the Christ, who came among us and called us to follow. Amen.

This is my work informed by all that I have heard, read and experienced. I am indebted to the wisdom of others.