Over all the world with Jesus

May 5, 2020     (today’s lectionary)

Over all the world with Jesus

I can only map my travel on maps, which really is not so bad, relentlessly crossing the globe on sleeper trains, Alaskan bush planes and Hummers into the jungle. Rivers that might be un-navigable for all I know, but they give way to my dugout canoe, while the parrots sing their colored songs across the water. I am going everywhere. I am going nowhere. I am going dreaming.

Want some gelato in Florence? Bar Vivoli. A pub in Cambridge? The Flying Pig. Take the boat train early in the day for a Michelin meal in Paris. Don’t worry about the francs, dress up and head for Guy Savoy for ice poached oysters and artichoke soup with black truffle, followed by red mullet “swimming in the sea.”

The Orient Express leaves just after dessert, our sleeper waiting for a night train to … where would you like to go? Lisbon? Athens, Casablanca, Constaninople, Cyprus?

Sleep while the train is moving, the perfect clacking sound sends us away to more yet dreams. Only when it stops, which is not often, do I awake.

They went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, preaching the word.

But only to Jews. No matter, those Greeks heard the word and wanted to join up. And Barnabas liked what he saw. The grace of God!

Barnabas the bringer of encouragement the carrier of joy the uplifter. Barnabas the friend when others turned away. Barnabas the big man with a big smile. Barnabas the excellent surveyor of talent in the pulpit.

And a large number of people were added to the Lord. Barnabas found Saul and brought him to Antioch, and there those new converts were first called Christians.

All you nations, praise the Lord. And all shall sing in their native garb, dancing their festive dance, “My home is within you.” Within YOU, You, O Lord.

Even in the Jerusalem winter Jesus walked with his disciples. The Pharisees found him and engaged him in debate. If you are the Christ, the Messiah, the One Who We Have Been Waiting For, tell us straight.

But Jesus spoke sideways, as usual, piercing to the center of their argument and hoping to pierce their souls as well. I did tell you! You! You are not among my sheep, because my sheep hear my voice, I know them, they follow me.

What is wrong with you people? I give you eternal life, you will never die, and no one can take you out of my hand, no one will take you out of the Father’s hand.

He stopped for a moment. His resolve grew, his eyes were sharp, twinkling, joyous. I and the Father are One.

(Acts 11, Psalm 87, John 10)