What I have, I give you

What Peter has, is what Richard Rohr in this morning's devotion would call "Purity of Heart." This purity of heart didn't come when Jesus called Peter, then Simon, and his brother Andrew, to leave their nets and follow him. Peter often made the wrong call, but he was an act first and think later type of guy. He got out of the boat and after a few steps, he started to sink, for which some commentators said this was Jesus' gentle teasing by calling him the 'rock'. Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus told the disciples that he would die. Jesus called him Satan and said his mind was on earthly things and not on God's kingdom. Peter denied Jesus three times, fearing for his life. Peter lived his faith, his heart, and his fears out on his sleeve. Those around him didn't have to wonder what he was thinking and feeling, for he was an open book. In the Gospel of John, Jesus pulls Peter aside and asks him three times if Peter loves him. Peter responds yes, of course, without a doubt. Jesus replies Peter should care for and love his sheep, the children of God.

What Peter has, is a community that practices and prays together following the Way, the path of Christ. Peter has taken early leadership in this community which began with just a few dozen for many fell away when Jesus was crucified. It is now building as the proclamation that Jesus is risen and the Spirit is upon them.

What Peter has, is a relationship with God, with Jesus, and with the Spirit. All the pieces are now in place. All things are working together so that this early church, this body of Christ, can witness, can love, and go out into the world to share the gospel and story of God's amazing love.

In today's story, we start with Peter and John looking intently at this beggar. This beggar, who is infirm, but not totally destitute for he also has a community that carries him to the gate so that he might receive alms. This beggar, who must have a good attitude, for the people do not tire of carrying him, every day, so that he might receive enough alms to feed himself and maybe help out his family. This beggar, who has been lame from birth, is looking for his daily bread but really needs something more. Peter, and John, look upon this man, maybe nudged by the Spirit, maybe filled with compassion, maybe seeing something that others don't, they look upon this man and Peter realizes he has something to give.

Peter calls upon this man to look at him and John. "We don't have money, but we have something to give!" Peter calls upon the Spirit to strengthen his ankles and feet and in that instance, it is done. Jumping up! Jumping up the man begins to walk and then leaping and praising God. People begin to notice and also praise the living God. In the verses that follow, Peter calls out to the crowd and shares the Christ story.

The Gospel, the story of Christ and the early church, the story of God who has been with us from the beginning, creating us in God's own image, is a story of love, healing, and liberation. It is not just a story focused on the healing of individuals, however, it does include them. It is not just a story that is focused on going to heaven, though we are promised that we will always be with God, in this life and the next. The Gospel story is one of intertwining of the sacred and the ordinary, the spiritual and the material, the heavenly kingdom into everyday life.

We have no guaranteed formula to promise that all who are prayed for will be healed. Maybe this is why Peter and John stared at the man for a while, to ask the Spirit what they should do. We can make no promise that all healing will involve a cure that will move us to leap about and praise God. Though this church has had its highs and lows, its glory and its shame, this is a new journey we are embarking on, trusting that God, Jesus, and the Spirit will be with us and guide us. May we work to enter into a purity of heart that connects us to all, that loves all, and is with all. Amen.

Contribute to the needs of God's People

On Aug. 28, 1893, Sen. James Kyle of South Dakota introduced S. 730 to the U.S. Senate to make Labor Day a legal national holiday on the first Monday of September each year. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill on June 28, 1894. By then, a fall holiday called Labor Day was already being observed. Beginning in the late 19th century, parades, picnics and other celebrations took place to support labor issues such as shorter hours, better pay and safer working conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In introducing the legislation, Kyle said that labor organizations were united in asking that the first Monday of September be set apart as a holiday in order to make the observance uniform. This would result in workers enjoying vacation privileges on the same day, according to the Dec. 1, 1965, issue of “The Wi-Iyohi,” a monthly bulletin published by the South Dakota State Historical Society. Prior to serving as a U.S. Senator, Kyle served as pastor at the Congregati...

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