This week's author is the Rev. Michael Ciba, Valley/Northwest Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Many years ago, in a local, ecumenical gathering of clergy, I first heard a colleague refer to the Bible as his "sword." I did not explore his understanding of this metaphor. Rather, I immediately assumed that he saw scripture as a weapon which could be used to battle the enemies of God.
The reference in this passage to the word of God being "sharper than any two-edged sword" suggests a different image. The word of God, like a sharp blade, is used to separate one thing from another -- like the scalpel of the surgeon or the knife of the chef. The process of separation can be seen as a use of force precisely applied in a controlled manner. The result -- whether the removal of diseased tissue or the preparation of a tasty and nutritious meal -- advances the health of the body as a whole.
The text describes the word of God as "living and active." It is more than just words on a page. God's presence through the Holy Spirit enables God to speak to us through scripture and enables us to hear and apply these words -- both individually and collectively. Sometimes in the process God performs a kind of surgery on us -- removing what is not well within our souls so that we can be restored to health. Both the surgery and our recovery can be painful. But we can be confident in the Creator's skill.
O God, you are the great healer. Help us to know when we are in need of healing. Help us to trust in you and in those who care for us. Restore all creation to the health you intend. In the name of Jesus the Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray to you, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please remember:
the Rev. Nancy Allen, associate minister of Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, as she undergoes cancer treatment;
the Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. Hoyt, pastor of the Middlebury Congregational Church UCC, recovering from surgery for a kidney tumor;
our Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree and her spouse, David, as he undergoes chemotherapy and radiation treatment for stomach cancer;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC of East Haddam, who is being treated for breast cancer;
the people of the Philippines affected by the weekend's storm and floods;
the people of Honduras and our ecumenical partners there amidst continuing political turmoil;
the Conference's partners working for peace in Cordoba, Colombia, amidst escalating violence;
the leaders of this nation, that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, and the Sudan.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to your Regional Minister or to webmaster@ctucc.org.
Danbury
First Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Laura A. Westby
Danbury
Iglesia Hispana Unida deCristo
P Ms. Juana J. Villavicencio
Danbury
King Street, UCC
P The Rev. Cindy Maddox
Danielson
Westfield Cong'l Church
IN The Rev. Alice L. O'Donovan
CE Ms. Bethann Muller
Danielson
South Killingly, First
P The Rev. Frank C. Perkins
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
To learn more about or subscribe to the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/
Editor's Note: My apologies for the delay in sending this week's Spirit Calendar, which was due to vacation schedules and other obligations this week. Eric Anderson
The Spirit Calendar: October 08, 2009 by Rev. Michael Ciba, Valley Northwest Regional Minister
