Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Healing Leprosy or Travelling Evangelist--which is More of a Challenge? Edition

In this week of National holidays for both Canada and the US, I found this prayer rather apt:

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.

So what are we all reading this week?  Some of us are using the RCL Readings for Proper 9C, which you can read here.  Seeing as we are in Ordinary Time, those readings give us some choices (at least when it comes to the readings from the Hebrew Scriptures).

THe Slave Girl...the real heroine?

We could explore Naaman washing his leprosy off in the Jordan.  And apparently being a little ticked that he does not warrant some grandiose cure instead.  Or maybe focus on the courage of a slave girl that started the whole ball rolling?

Or maybe Isaiah is speaking to you this week with his promise of comfort for Jerusalem?

Turning to the Epistle reading we continue along in Galatians, where we have been for a couple weeks now.  I have a struggle with Paul some (most) of the time, but I have to (and sort of hate to) admit that I like much of Galatians.  Mind you as one with poor fine motor control and horrible (almost illegible) handwriting I have to wonder what sort of a sermon there is in verse 11 "See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!".......


And then there is the Gospel reading.  12 years ago, in my first sermon in my settlement charge, I preached on this text about the sending out of the 70.  I wonder what I said??? For those of us in traditions that have not spent a great deal of time talking about being sent out or evangelism, much less going 2x2 from town to town, what is the message for us here?  Is it a challenge we need to hear anew?

Is this what Evangelism feels like?

But of course I know not everyone in on the RCL.  Some of our group are using the Narrative Lectionary and it appears they would be reading Proverbs 3:1-8 or 1-18 and Luke 12:29-31this week.

Or maybe some of our USan members will feel pressure to do something patriotically themed this weekend?  (Or was that this past Sunday like some Canadian churches did?)

Or maybe you are off on your own path for worship this summer.  A sermon series perhaps?  I know of some colleagues who are doing "Sermon by Request" during the summer.

Wherever you are headed, whatever questions you have, any wisdom to share, any ranting you need to vent...share them in the comments.