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According to the notes in all of my Bible translations, the dedication of this letter to the people of Ephesus is optional. Why does that matter? It matters because Paul is offering a vision of such love and embrace that we can hardly believe it applies to us. But what if the letter is meant for all those whom the word of God has touched? What if it is for us, saints and sinners, and all our companions laboring to ascend the hill of the Lord?

Journeying through the ups and downs of David and Michal, Herod and John (even the Baptizer had his moments of doubt, sending word to Jesus to ask, “Are you really the Messiah?”) we have found ourselves in the company of mixed motives and, at times, downright dirty dealers. In the mirror of their sin, we are tempted to judge ourselves.

But from the beginning of time, Paul says, we have been chosen to be blameless. This is not because we are better than our ancestors but because God has loved even these, anointing some, sending Jesus to speak directly to others, whispering through the dark times. God knows our secret fears and our stifled pride. God has seen our wounded doubt; and God’s response has been to pour out grace, to forgive our sins. God sets us on our feet like a parent picking up a child and dusting her off, longing to gather her up in arms of love.

As children, we fall, we learn, and we try again to walk with steadiness and integrity. As God is patient with our stumbles, can we be as patient with our own family of creation and of faith? As God has forgiven our trespasses, can we forgive those who trespass against us? If we can learn to claim this grace for ourselves, can we learn to extend it to one another?

God of grace and glory, as you forgive our trespasses, help us to forgive those who trespass against us, for the healing of hearts and the glory of your reconciling Spirit. Amen.

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Leer Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” ¹⁵ Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.” ¹⁷ He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her, ¹⁸ but John told Herod, “It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!” ¹⁹ So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t. ²⁰ This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him. ²¹ Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents. ²² Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, “Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ Then he swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “John the Baptist’s head,” Herodias replied. ²⁵ Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute.” ²⁶ Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head, ²⁸ brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.

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Leccionario Semanal

July 5–11, 2021

Resumen de la Escritura

Two readings this week focus on welcoming God’s presence. David does this by bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. As the ark arrives, David dances, worshiping God with reckless abandon. The author of Psalm 24 poetically calls a city to open its gates and welcome the great king. These passages invite us to consider how willingly we receive God into our lives. The reading from Ephesians speaks of God’s eternal plan. While circumstances may seem chaotic, God holds an eternal perspective and has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. Mark tells the sad story of the execution of John the Baptist, yet another example of a righteous person experiencing persecution.

Preguntas para la reflexión

Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19. How do you bless others in your daily life?
Read Psalm 24. In what ways do you honor the Creator in the ways you care for God’s creation?
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Where have you stumbled on your faith journey and found God ready and willing to help?
Read Mark 6:14-29. When have you experienced a guilty conscience? Did you resolve the issue that was causing the feeling?

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Ephesians 1:1-10

Mark 6:14-29

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