JUNE 17, 2007

11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Preparation for Worship

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ in me.

Galatians 2:19-20

May Christ be with us, Christ before us,

Christ in us, Christ over us.

May your salvation, O Lord,

Be always ours this day and forevermore. Amen

St. Patrick

Today is the eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, the longest portion of the church year. The Christmas season honors the birth of Christ; the Lenten cycle focuses on preparation for the cross; Easter rejoices in the resurrection; and Ordinary Time celebrates all aspects of the mystery of Christ. There is nothing ordinary about Ordinary Time as the term comes from the word “ordinal” which means to tell the rank (First, Second, Third, etc.)

     During the summer season we have switched the sanctuary around with the pulpit in the middle of the chancel area and the Lord’s Table in front of the pulpit. This change allows us to realize the centrality of the Word read and proclaimed in our worship. The Baptismal font, Lord’s Table, Pulpit, and Cross in the sanctuary all align in the middle of our sanctuary.

     We continue exploring Paul’s letter to the small community of disciples in Galatia as the central text for our worship. We noted last week that the church in Galatia, mainly comprised of gentile converts to the Christian movement, were being taught by Jewish Christians they must follow Jewish customs and rituals including circumcision and dietary restrictions. Paul argues instead that God has created something entirely new in Jesus Christ. This new creation means grace and not law is at the heart of the spiritual life. Paul points out that we have been “crucified with Christ” and it is no longer I who live but “Christ who lives in me.”