Year B, Ordinary 21 (Proper 16, Pentecost +14), 2018 – Suit Up!

More Than Hearing

Greetings!! Welcome back! I’m soloing again; David had some down time while he was in New Orleans last week to join me for the podcast, but that “free” time is now gone while he’s in Arizona. He’s heading on to Los Angeles from Tucson where I’m sure he’ll sleep for a while! Meanwhile, I decided to concentrate on the epistle lesson for this Sunday because it is just clamoring to be used as an extensive EYE smart special effect! Do you have access to a suit of armor? No? How about a tuxedo? A uniform? A space suit? Any of these suits will do – or cobble together your own props and enjoy “suiting up” for your sermon!

This week’s text is:

Ephesians 6:10-20 [02:00]

Paul is wrapping up his letter to the church in Ephesus. He encourages them with a stirring message of strength by appropriating the suits of armor worn by Roman soldiers that he and they must have seen on a regular basis. He takes that uniform – representing many impressions, memories, and likely unpleasant realities – and transforms it into a suit of armor for Jesus’ followers. He does not overtly suggest the armor be used offensively. Instead, this armor is forged in the power of God so that we might “stand against the wiles of the devil”.

Beginning in WORD smart, I used common definitions of the words “faith” and “salvation” and played with the images and memories these words bring to mind. EYE smart is chock full of special effects as you bring in a suit of armor and try it on for size! The belt of truth is the basis for an illustration in MATH smart and the strength to stand reminded me of many standing yoga poses that require and develop strength for a special effect in BODY smart.

I have two links to many options for MUSIC smart and ask you to bear with me as I attempt a connection with a NATURE smart illustration. Does it work? Eh, maybe. The breastplate of righteousness has some strong PEOPLE smart connections, I think. Which pair of shoes in your closet would best be used to help you proclaim the gospel of peace? I have a link to an article about peacemaking that could be used as a SELF smart illustration.

• Smarts – Word [03:57 & 04:31], Eye [06:21], Math [10:17], Body [12:16], Music [13:42], Nature [14:30], People [16:33], Self [18:06]
• Ephesians 6 worksheet
• Links in Ephesians
  • WORD smart –
    • Faith and salvation defined at Vocabulary dot com.
  • MATH smart –
    • Logical truth – a fundamental concept in logic.
  • BODY smart –
    • Mountain or tadasana
    • Warrior 1 or virabhadrasana 1
    • Warrior 2 or Virabhadrasana 2
    • Tree or vrkasana
  • MUSIC smart –
    • Sing for Joy – music presented at St. Olaf College
    • Many more options at Singing from the Lectionary.
  • NATURE smart –
    • Here is an informative article on dark energy.
  • PEOPLE smart –
    • The definition and synonyms of the word “righteousness”.
  • SELF smart –
    • An article about peacemaking – the emphasis is on resolving conflict and restoring relationships.

Image Credit: Photo by antas singh from Pexels