Seeing What We Pray For

Every time we pray as Jesus taught us, we plead:

May your kingdom come.
    May your will be done
        on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

So, where is it? When will it come?

We aren’t the first to ask that question. Jesus was “grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come.” He answered:

‘The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.” (Luke 17:20-21 The Message)

When most of the headlines are a glaring contradiction of everything Jesus taught, I’ve seen the Kingdom — the redemption reign and life-giving purpose of God — becoming a flesh-and-blood reality among us.

“And Your Daughters…”

On Pentecost, Peter quoted the Old Testament prophet, Joel:

God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy...
Upon both men and women,
     I will pour out my Spirit,
        and they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)

It’s sad to see faithful people (mostly men!) ignore or deny what Joel and Peter said. I’m grateful for a tradition that has affirmed (imperfectly!) God’s call to women since 1761 when John Wesley licensed Sarah Crosby as the first female lay preacher.

United Methodists are celebrateing the 70th anniversary of the full orientation of women. It took us awhile, but in 1977, my friend, Charlene Kammerer, became the first woman ordained as an elder in the Florida Conference. She went on to be our first woman District Superintendent and the first woman elected a Bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

My life and the life of the church continue to be challenged and encouraged by the Spirit-inspired women God continues to call to ministry. It’s a clear sign of the Kingdom among us!

Running the Race

On Sunday, my friend and pastoral colleague, Roger Scholtz, is running in the Comrades Marathon. It’s the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon, running 53 miles up and back down the hills between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I’ve ridden along that course and I can’t imagine running it!

Roger is running in support of the Hillcrest Aids Centre. I’ve visited it every time I’ve been in Durban. I’ve never come away without feeling that I was in the presence of Jesus who sent his disciples with the command: “ As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (Matthew 10:7-8).

Hillcrest was one of the many healing programs that were seriously damaged by the deadly destruction of USAID. But it has shown remarkable resilience and continues to do truly life-giving work.  (Here’s the link for any who feel led to make a contribution.)

Places like Hillcrest are sure signs of the healing presence of the Kingdom among us!

10 Years Later…

On Friday, Orlando honored the 10th anniversary of the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Scott Maxwell reminded readers of the Orlando Sentinel of the night when 49 lives were lost in what as at that time the largest mass murder in the long, sad, and ongoing history of death in our gun-addicted culture. It was a direct attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

But in the darkness of suffering, loss and death, the city of Orlando respoonded with deep compassion and affirmation. Our daughter, Carrie, was on the scene that day representing the WESH-TV news. She was overwhelmed by the tragedy but encouraged by the way the community responded.

First United Methodist Church of Orlando is a mile away from the nightclub. Without hesitation, they opened the doors of the sanctuary and welcomed people into a place of peace and prayer. They provided water and rest rooms for people on the street. It was clear that all people are welcome in the church. Again this year, they hosted the Remembrance Service.

St. Luke’s UMC continues to be deeply engaged with the LGBTQ+ community. It’s the continuing fulfillment of the vision of being a “healing community” with which we chose the church’s name 47 years ago.

One day, the vision of God’s Kingdom which Jesus taught and for which he gave his life will fully come and God’s will be done throughout the whole creation. One day the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

But in the meantime, we thank God for tangible ways we can see the Kingdom among us today. Praise God!

Grace and peace,

Jim

I’m looking forward to being one of the speakers at the Festival of Wisdom and Grace at Lake Junaluska this summer. Come join us!

Festival of Wisdom and Grace