Year C, Easter 6, 2019 – On the Move
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Movement happens in the texts for this week – some in more obvious ways than others. In the Acts passage, Paul and Timothy are trying to move the Gospel of Jesus to other parts of the world as directed by the Spirit of God. In John, a man is attempting to move into healing waters and not finding any success or assistance. In the Psalm, people are moving into a time of harvest and praise for God’s bounty, and in Revelation, the New Jerusalem moves down to the New Earth with a surprising lack of the usual things we expect in a city.
Three years ago, we did not use the Psalm and chose to use the John 14 passage instead of John 5. We encouraged using a map for EYE smart and had some fun NATURE smart illustrations for Revelation. Go take a look!
Smarts of the Week [01:58]
We take a few minutes to talk about the two smarts of the week in the episode, how you might use them in worship, and how Jesus may have used them in his ministry. Download our worksheets for each of them below!
Texts for the Week
Acts 16:9-15 – [05:04]
For context in the Acts passage, Paul and Timothy are on the road and attempt to travel to Asia, which the Spirit forbids. Then they try to go to Bithynia, which the Spirit also forbids. (I think I have experienced the Spirit getting in the way of my decision to do something; I think there is a whole book in this somewhere. I digress.) Paul then has a vision of a man in Macedonia calling to him for help, and the Spirit seems okay with this, so off they go.
In SELF smart, I linked to a website called Hostel Geek (link below) with a lot of stories of people and their travel experiences. None of them mentions being blocked by the Spirit, but many of them had encounters they did not expect nor were ready for but in retrospect are quite glad they had.
For MUSIC smart, David suggests thinking of this passage – especially where Paul and Timothy meet up with Lydia and the women at the river – as a religious jam session. All these folks who trust YHWH meet in a locale and by the time the meeting is over, they have come together in common ministry.
- MUSIC smart – [09:54]
- “To the Ends of the Earth” by Nat King Cole
- “Convince Me” by Lucinda Williams
- “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
- SELF smart – [07:46]
- Here are some stories about people encountering unusual things on their travels.
- I liked this short story about an impromptu English lesson in Vietnam.
- And this one about a surprising night sky in Morocco.
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 – [14:24]
David followed the MUSIC smart poetry branch for this passage. We have links to two poems that envision “home” in a way that echoes the longing in John’s vision of the New Jerusalem. Hughes, Shire, and John all “see” home, but also all three are still living in this world with its demands and disappointments. (I think SELF smart people would appreciate mediating on these poems.) You could also use the special effect David suggests and break out some musical instruments to underscore the different thematic imagery of the passage.
There is a marked absence of usual things in the New Jerusalem; see the worksheet for the list of things that will not be present in this new home on earth. Consider how this list of things can sometimes draw our attention away from God’s presence with us, and determine what else in your own life might be added to it that interferes with your focus on God.
- MUSIC smart – [15:58]
- Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again”
- “Home” by Warsan Shire
- Be sure to download the worksheet for the list of parts for instruments to use for this passage!
- SELF smart – [20:07]
- Sermon by Angela Askew, Sermons that Work, 2004
Psalm 67 – [23:47]
The Book of Psalms is an ancient worship book or hymnal, so sing or chant this Psalm of praise with your congregation. Since the Psalm calls all nations to praise God, maybe look around for different translations in other languages. Learn verse 3 in languages not native to you and use them when this verse comes up! (WORD smart people would love it!)
For SELF smart, make a list of the ways God has blessed you. Put on that list the things that make your heart swell up with joy. Place that list where you can see it regularly as a reminder of God’s love for you. Do this for a week or three, and see if it makes a difference in your daily outlook on life.
- MUSIC smart – [26:27]
- Calling All Nations – INXS
- Try this psalm tune in the Presbyterian Hymnal (1990).
- Or this one (St. Michael)
- SELF smart – [24:34]
- Psalm 67 is a “good day”!
John 5:1-9 – [29:18]
The man lying by the pool cannot make any progress because others get in the way, according to a verse that is not in most ancient manuscripts. Illustrate this with MUSIC smart by asking people to imagine being a virtuoso baritone player who never gets a chance to shine, because solos and important musical themes keep going to the trumpets! For a special effect, set this passage to verse. See David’s start on that on the worksheet.
For SELF smart, consider how the man has learned to live with brokenness in his life. Jesus is not satisfied with that for this man and asks him, “Do you want to be made well?” Consider the places in your life where you are living with things that are broken or not working optimally; imagine Jesus asking you the same question. What’s your answer? If you don’t immediately have one, that’s okay. Jesus will keep asking.
- MUSIC smart – [31:22]
- “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by the Hollies
- “Take Me to the River” by Talking Heads
- “Take Me to the River” by Al Green
- SELF smart – [34:04]
- commentary by Debi Thomas – Journey with Jesus, 2019
Image credit: Photo by VanveenJF on Unsplash. Used by permission.
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