Eastertide

May 10, 2021

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.‘

So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Disciples must have understood that Jesus selected 12 of them for a reason. Thus, after Judas’ death, the 11 remaining determined that they needed to choose someone to fill Judas’ spot. Having worked in administrative positions for years, I know the outcomes of being one person short, particularly when saving money resulted in routinely being understaffed. In most work environments, each person has particular skills crucial to the smooth completion of the work. For example, Paul describes the various gifts of the Spirit among Christians in 1 Corinthians 12. The understanding is that we all possess such gifts, and it is essential that we use them for the glory of God and the fulfillment of God’s vision of a Kingdom ruled by love.

Our job is to discern the role we are to play in that process, hone the skills we must use to the best of our ability, and work in sync with others as they share their gifts. That sentence was so easy to write but often so hard to actualize. Working with others also takes special skills. Working together as God’s servants requires us to connect regularly with the Spirit to mold us together in oneness.

Prayer:
Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together, together in love*. Amen.

Chorus from the song Weave by Rosemary Crow. See it at http://awe.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=10306

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.