Psalm 42.1-6a, 9-11, Job 18.1-21, John 7.32-53 - Lectionary for 2/23/11 - Polycarp of Smyrna

Today is the commemoration of Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr.

Today's readings are Psalm 42.1-6a, 9-11, Job 18.1-21, and John 7.32-53.

As we approach the end of the season of Epiphany, the season of the appearance, or revelation, we find ourselves frequently confronted with Jesus' claims to divinity in the Gospels. Yet, like the original readers of the Gospels, we are not told what to think. Rather, we see the picture of Jesus and have to come to our own conclusions. Like the officers who were sent to arrest Jesus, we see that Jesus is different. He speaks like nobody else. He has a powerful claim to be who he says he is. We are persuaded to believe him.

Like the very first believers, like Polycarp, who walked with the apostles and later gave his life for his faith, testifying of God's faithfulness to the very end, we can take this message of Christ as it is given to us. We follow our Lord and give our lives for the Christian faith, whether it means dying under persecution as Polycarp did, or simply dying to ourselves and living to Christ in our communities.

--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com