The Bible readings for each day (the Lectionary) are designed to expose us to the great variety of the Scriptures. But, since the Bible is a big book, we don’t see everything as part of the cycle of readings — only 72% of the New Testament. We skip over, for example, one of my favorite passages. In the Acts of the Apostles Paul is defending himself before the Roman procurator, Festus, when he gets frustrated. At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane” (AA 26:24). We might not have Paul’s great learning but we are “insane” as he was: we love our enemies, forgive seventy-times seven times, think giving is better than receiving.
JUNE42022
By Church Staff