What Was Good for Peter and Paul -

- was good for the Church.  We honor Peter and Paul - on this, their combined Feast Day.

No, they didn't have the same approach.  They were each forces of nature.  Each had an extensive following.  After disagreeing with each other from afar they had a meeting and decided to agree to agree on some points, agree to disagree on other points.  Yet each could see the Christ in the other.  Each could, in holy generosity, attempt to see things from the others point of view.  And, in public, make peace.

Psalm 16:8 emphasises that our sights must be set forward - "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall."


Peter and Paul could do it for God's sake and the sake of the Church ... it puzzles me why Katharine is willing and Rowan is not.

If it was good enough for Peter and Paul ...

Don't Look Back [Pentecost 5, Proper 8, Year C)

Have you ever gotten to church a bit early, said a prayer or two for preparation for the Eucharist and then gone to the bulletin to scan the readings?  I have.  On a quick read I wonder how in the world the preacher is going to thread the Collect, OT, psalm, Epistle and Gospel together.  It also crosses my mind that perhaps sticking to just one of those readings would be the better course.

This reflection will be a line of this, the gist of that.  The main point being -- don't look back.  Pray, listen for God's guidance, go and don't look back.

Elijah's time on earth was coming to its end.  Elisha, his replacement prophet in the making, refused to stay behind and went along with him.  Elijah tells Elisha he can grant one thing before Elijah is taken: Elisha asks for a double amount of Elijah's spirit.  Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind, never looking back.  Elisha watches the departure and, sure enough, gets his wish.

Psalm 16:8 encapsulates that our sites must be set forward - "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall."

Jesus, in the account by Luke, set his face to go to Jerusalem.  The Samaritans wouldn't welcome him overnight. Despite James and John pleading him to let them send a fiery calling card, Jesus continues on.  He's not interested in settling scores, just in getting the job done.  Along the journey, several express interest in joining Jesus after they had the chance to "clear their calendars".  Jesus replies - it's now or it's not.  Each one simply turned back. 

We could spend much time looking back, wondering about missed opportunities, counting the times we looked back to count the cost, never moving forward in faith.

Jesus challenges us to put the hand to the plow - to get moving toward the goal - and keep going.  Will you?