Do we still speak in tongues?

Matthew 10:16-22 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
²⁰ For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  (Authorized Version/KJV) [emphasis mine]

The verses above stuck out to me from today's Morning Prayer readings for the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem.  They were even more striking to me because I was reading them en español, a language wherein I have only a basic ability and very limited vocabulary.

"Let the dead bury their dead"?

Luke 9:57-62 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. ⁵⁸ And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  ⁵⁹ And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. ⁶⁰ Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. ⁶¹ And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. ⁶² And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  (Authorized Version/KJV) [emphasis mine]

While today's Gospel reading includes one of my favorite verses of scripture (v58), it also contains one I have always found troubling:  "Let the dead bury their dead." (v60).

Weary with well-doing?

2 Thessalonians 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(Authorized Version/KJV)

I had to look this verse up today.  It has been running through my mind quite a bit lately.  What with dragging myself out of bed every morning to officiate the Daily Office of Morning Prayer, volunteering at Reagan Elementary School and with Workers Defense Project, choir rehearsal, Altar Guild duties, organizing volunteers for Christ Church's participation and sponsorship of the Old Oak Cliff Fall Home Tour, etc., etc., etc.;  I am having some difficulty following St. Paul's injunction not to be weary in well doing.

"We have seen strange things today."

Luke 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. (Authorized Version/KJV) [emphasis mine]

This was the last verse of the Gospel lesson for today's Morning Prayer service.  As the Gospel lesson is always the last reading, this made the words "We have seen strange things today" the last words of scripture read aloud before approaching God with our petitions and thanksgivings (i.e. prayer).

Missional Outreach

Christ Church is currently in the midst of a major paradigm shift.  As Reggie McNeal describes in his book MISSIONAL RENAISSANCE: Changing the Scorecard for the CHURCH, this shift is a change in the traditional understanding of who the Church is and what Christ calls us to do and be.