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4th SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
God never sleeps nor slumbers, the Scripture tells us, yet circumstances sometimes
makes us wonder! This week we have two stories that contain contexts for wonderment-the
David and Goliath story and the Storm at Sea. In both, the wonderment is that God seems to
be taking a catnap! And worse, during naptime, an army threatens disaster and stormy
waters threaten existence. The Good News is that though life is fragile, as 2 Corinthians
6 reminds us, God is also very present-only a breath away-and promises to be with us no
matter what adversary or storm threatens us. Great Scriptures for this day!
1 Samuel 17-Never Entered His Head Before
If you’ve ever wondered where the Rocky movie got its inspiration, it’s got
to be from this Sunday’s lesson-an ancient Rocky story. More recently, if you want a
refreshing caricature on the story, try viewing it through the Veggie Tales cams! The
story paves the way for a shepherd boy who is anointed by Samuel on his way toward
becoming the Shepherd of Israel. The story begins with the military might of Israel deeply
entrenched on the other side of the ravine scared spitless with the prospects of battling
Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. More than an adversary, perhaps Goliath stands
as an obstacle to achieving our best for God. In the end, David slings a stone that slams
into his head that fells the mighty giant, procuring a mighty victory for Israel..
2 Corinthians 6:1-13-Awesome Treasure in Clay Jars
In this autobiographical section of his letter to the Corinthians, Paul intimately
bares heart and soul about his life as a missionary. Earlier he has referred to such an
occupation as carrying a priceless treasure within a common, fragile container. Now he
speaks about the hardships that he has endured for the sake of this awesome treasure. The
list is astonishing. I wonder how many recruits he would get if he posted this resume in
the help-wanted section of the Corinthian Times. Yet he defends his life of a missionary
as being the richest kind of life to live.
Mark 4:35-41-Jesus the Wonderworker
Same story, different stress. In Matthew’s telling of the stilling of the storm,
this story provides a fitting example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s understanding of
discipleship: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die." But here
in Mark the stress is not on discipleship but on the boat. The early Church saw themselves
as a Boat and Christ was with them as he promised. But sometimes he seemed to be sleeping.
Wake up, Lord! Why are you asleep? Jesus does awake and rebukes the sea, but a question is
also heard. Mark asks us, "Who can this be?" Who is the Jesus who lives on in
the Church, which yet at times is buffeted by the storm and waves of persecution and
setback? Those who have faith accept that he is Lord of the Storm, that he is present in
the Church for its guidance and protection.
