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This is a resource here in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia to help point out some stewardship themes in the weekly lectionary to make it easier to preach, teach, study, pray and speak about stewardship throughout the year. The format for this information will evolve over time and sometimes it may be more academic than others and other times it may be just what the Spirit first speaks to me as I read the text.
In any event, I hope it is helpful to you and I invite any feedback that you might want to give. In the future I will provide links to other resources, as well.
Refrain for the Day of Pentecost
O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
The Day of Pentecost reminds us that each receive Gifts of the Spirit for communicating the Gospel in a unique way for a sort of reversal of the confusion of Babel. This reminder also serves notice to us that we are to be good stewards of these gifts, both of our own and others' gifts for the sake of the Gospel. Peter's words quoting the prophet Joel in our Acts reading make the point that the Spirit is "poured out on all flesh" to prophesy. The spectrum of peoples from all over the world present to hear the Pentecost prophecy "in their own language" described by Luke illustrates the scope of God's desire for all to know of "God's deeds of power."
Paul's words to the faithful in Rome encourage us to utilize the gifts of the Spirit that have been given us, for we did not receive a spirit of slavery to fear. Often we are timid or lack confidence in our own gifts of ministry, holding back from taking part in "prophesying" about the Gospel through works of ministry. St. Francis proclaimed that the strongest witness to the Gospel was preached with our lives. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, he teaches us that the Body of Christ is made up of all of us and that the Body needs us all doing our part to be fully functioning. Paul is encouraging us all to be good stewards of these gifts for the sake of the Body and for the sake of the Gospel proclamation.
Jesus' instructions to his disciples urge us to "keep his commandments" so that the world may know him and know the Father. Jesus, encouraging good stewardship of his disciples' spiritual gifts of ministry, goes so far to say, "Those who love me will keep my commandments" because the works of ministry testify to his identity and God's works of salvation in the world. Jesus also allays their fear and our fear of our own incompetence in ministry by telling of the Advocate we have in the Holy Spirit guiding us in our prophetic work.
The composite of our readings should encourage us to be bold in exercising our spiritual gifts of ministry in the world. And they should embolden us to seek out and empower others in their spiritual gifts of ministry. God has called upon us to reverse the spiritual confusion of Babel through the power of the Holy Spirit burning within us. Will we douse the Flame within? Or will we be good stewards of these gifts within us and others, fanning the Flame into a prophetic inferno for the sake of the Gospel, ...and for the sake of the world?
How will you use the Spirit's gifts unique to you for the Gospel today? How will you empower another's gifts for ministry today?
Babel awaits.
Lance
The Rev. Canon Lance Ousley
Canon for Stewardship and Development
The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
1551 10th Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98102
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