Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, June 2, 2020
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
Today’s daily reading for the Narrative Lectionary tells a story. It’s a good story; instructive, too. But the assigned reading is incomplete. The next chapters tell of Peter’s message and what he had to proclaim to Cornelius’ house.
The setup is wonderful though: gigantic napkins descending from on high, filled with unclean animals. Peter’s new mission was to include the Gentiles. And there you have it. Cornelius’ vision also connected him with Peter, and so doing the larger Jewish and nascent Christians all throughout the known world.
Today, I suppose there are a few who God grants grand visions, similar to Cornelius’ and Peter’s. However, the vast majority of us — living in a postmodern, scientifically literate society — find that visions such as theirs would necessitate a visit to a psychiatrist’s office.
But perhaps visions can come in a different way, too. Maybe through sensing God’s purpose for us in the church, and by applying our spiritual gifts, we can stir new relationships and break down the walls we have put up toward others.
God, send me a vision of your community you want me to help make. Amen.
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