Revved UP - August 22, 2021

State-wide lockdowns means I can't go bush this week. The very bright silver lining is doing our weekly Eucharist at St David's Uniting Church in Haberfield, accompanied by the rector - Rev. Joy Steele-Perkins

Our reading from the Hebrew Bible this week (from 1 Kings 8) concerns King Solomon's dedication of the temple. This is portrayed as a great event - solemn and magnificent - highlighted by the king's pious prayer, in which Solomon, notably, doesn't refer to the temple as the 'house of God' but as the place where 'God's name' dwells.

The epistle reading from Ephesians 6 is an old favourite of mine - 'Put on the Armor of God'. I've preached on this passage a number of times, putting on my boxing gear as I work through St Paul's list. There are, of course, significant differences between Paul's list (shield, sword and helmet) and the boxer's kit (gloves, groin hard, headgear) but in both cases the emphasis is on defense and not offence. In other words, the Christian soldier is fighting a defensive war against spiritual attack and not engaged in a crusade.

Our Gospel reading from John 6 brings to a conclusion Jesus' discourse about the bread of life which we have been working through for the last five weeks, and it ends on a very anti-climactic note. As Jesus finishes teaching, people leave in droves! People have been both offended and bewildered, and yet Jesus makes no effort to ameliorate those who decide to leave. The disciples decide to stick around but is it only for lack of options?

Dave
www.fatherdave.org
www.fighting-fathers.com