Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon

Suggesting that "you look tired" and "you need a vacation" takes into account the whole use of time and what it means to "get away from it all".

Pentecost fits right into the use of time issue.

The disciples ran from the cross and the arrest of Jesus and went back to their home towns and back to their former lives; lives they hadn't been back to since they picked up and followed the Galilean three years before.

Some of them went on vacation and through the whole mix of events and circumstances there were three time lines they followed.

There was the "chaos time" after the arrest and trial and crucifixion.

There was the "chronos time" (ordinary time) when they ran away and got back to their lives and there is no record of what they had done or what they are doing.

There was the "Kairos time" (God's time) when they gathered in the Upper Room for the celebration of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit came upon them and there was a turn around in their attitudes and their lives.

They had to get away from it all to deal with the chaos in their lives; we all do. They had to get away from it all to be able to come back to it and to be inspired and renewed by this rebirth of purpose and direction.

The church literally grew out of the passion of the disciples and the Pentecost celebration or some sense that there was something for them to be doing and the presence of the Risen Christ was with them.

What is the value of vacation if not to reacquaint us with our purpose and passion? Where will you be going this summer to get away? How do you anticipate coming back?

What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster