Delphi, Art - Apollo offering a libation, cylix

Poured Out (Proper C25)

Trinity United Methodist is on my way home, and I always look at the sermon title on their sign. It is a secret little game I play with Art, the pastor. I see if I can steal his title for my sermon. Titles aren’t a big deal to me; they just form the filename on my computer. But during ordinary time, while he has been focusing on the gospel text and I have been mainly in the OT, his titles usually don’t work for me.

This week his sign reads “Reasons For Prayer” and I say ah-ha, he is focusing on the Pharisee and the Publican. This scene is also depicted on our bulletin covers for this week (we borrow extras from the Moravian church, thanks guys!)

It gets me thinking about where this fits in the overall theme… the OT texts speak of God pouring his grace and presence out on us with a lavish and fierce grace. Paul shares in the heart of God saying, “I am already being poured out like a drink offering.” As he nears the end of his race, he sees his life being spent, lavishly.

The publican’s heart is near to God’s in the same way. Here the stream poured out in the Hebrew text flows together with Paul’s own brook. The publican pours himself out and seeks God’s pouring of mercy.

The text doesn’t give the same hook words, but I don’t think it inappropriate to see the parable as a picture painted with the same themes. Far from the Pharisee’s exalted hypocrisy, the sinner engages his all, strength, soul, mind, spirit, and lets it all drain to the floor, laid bare.

The Hebrew poetry speaks of God in the same way, driven, emotional, pouring himself out for us – grace, mercy, depth of presence – all ours. Our response should be measured against his.

(Pour Me Out I think I will use this as a puppet song this week)

Fall Rains (Proper C25)

I love fall. The cool crisp air, the color, and even the rain. The weather is perfect for coffee and contemplation. Fall is the most romantic time I know so this weeks text is nostalgic and dreamy.

Joel 2:23 "Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers,both autumn and spring rains, as before. "

God in his grace pours out mercy on devastated destroyed land-rain to cleanse the land and refresh the spirit. This text is very important for me as a Pentecostal, it promises another kind of rain to be poured out-the Living Spirit of God.

Joel 2:28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions."

This was the experience of the apostles on the day of Pentecost and it is my experience as well. Pentecostal or not, people around the world have experienced the sweet presence of God as a refreshing rain on their thirsty souls.

Psalm 65:9 You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.

Ah, the river of God is full of water. The presence of God is rich and is poured out on us generously.

2 Timothy 4:6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come.

Paul shares in the heart of God, being poured out, just as the Spirit was poured out on him, just as mercy was poured out on the desolate promised land.

I'm not sure how this all comes together but it strikes my heart like the onset of fall. Tears come to my eyes and I breath deeply the cleansing air.