09-16-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 16, 2025
The basketball coach, John Wooden, said, “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” Yet how often do we allow ourselves to be so overwhelmed with what we cannot do that we never actually get started with what we can do? On Sunday, I talked about waiting, and how we too easily convince ourselves that this is the time for us to wait. However, Jesus started his ministry, at least according to Mark’s Gospel, with the words, “The time has come at last—the kingdom of God has arrived. You must change your hearts and minds and believe the good news” (Phillips translation, Mark 1:15). We wait because we have convinced ourselves that God has not yet acted. What we learn here is that God has brought (some translations speak of it coming close) the Kin(g)dom of God into the here and now. And since it is already present, we not only shouldn’t pause, but we should get about the business of those who are living as if the Kin(g)dom of God is here… because it is.

Encourage me, Holy One, to be aware of what you have and continue to do, and then bring me into the present where I can join you in the good work of Kin(g)dom living. Amen.