Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Foxes have holes edition

• Beckoning God,
  as you moved in the lives of Elijah and Elisha,
  move in our lives,
  inviting us to journey to unknown territory,
  to listen for your voice,
  and to speak your prophetic word
  in a world that does not want to hear.
  empowered by your Spirit,
  grant us the courage we need
  to journey, trust, listen, speak,
  and accept your commission
                                                to be your faithful servant people. Amen

• It finally feels like summer here, and this week is the last week of school for the town kids (who got whomped with a whole lot of hurricane and snow days this year) which likely means small crowds this Sunday. The Word will still be preached, however, for those with ears to hear, and the will to come to church in spite of summer's allure, and this week's readings give us plenty to work with. 
• Our semi-continuous reading from Kings finds Elijah about to be taken up by God, and Elisha sticking with him to the very end, a model of faithfulness. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit; one wonders if he really knows what he's in for.  
• Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem in our gospel from Luke, and we know what that means, but it's less clear that those around him get it.  Jesus responds to their somewhat conditional responses to his "Come and follow me" with a series of enigmatic replies..."Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." "Let the dead bury their own dead.""No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." 

• 
  
  
  Paul's letter to the Galatians reminds us of the great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. The part of the reading that is so often quoted, however, is the part about not gratifying the desires of the flesh, with its list of unacceptable behaviors (fornication, impurity, licentiousness etc.) Where I sit we need to be far more concerned with the embodying the fruits of the spirit -- things like love, patience, kindness, generosity and self-control. 
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you are a Buechner fan and thinking about Galatians, here's a link that might help you. 
• Where is the Word calling you this week, preachers? Are you invigorated and inspired by these readings or stuck in the summer doldrums? Going off lectionary, or on the narrative lectionary? Join the conversation and let us know what you are thinking/wondering/feeling. As always, this group is a great place to stir things up a bit and get the preaching mojo going.