Saturday, July 13, 2024

Today's Scripture
Ephesians 1:3–14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. (NRSV)

Reflection

First. Please reread this:

“In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”

I received this assignment on June 18, 2024 — the day before Juneteenth. This year Juneteenth awakened my conscience; the recognition found me more emotive, pensive, even plaintive for promises missed; when such moments of disconcerting introspection evolve, I frequently find a soft landing and a still moment in the essence of my mother, Hilda.

I vividly recall Communion Sundays; in the Black Protestant Church, captivated by the Sisterhood, seated in three rows to the left of the pulpit, dressed in white (Hilda in cream, “suits my skin better,” such a fashionista) — I was amazed by the conviction so deeply expressed on the countenance of those strong scarred Black women of deep Faith who swayed, (if you’ve been there, you know that rhythm-of-the-soul sway), as they sang: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.”

Why is this deeply held story important at this moment?

Paul traveled to Ephesus specifically to deliver the gospel, (RE: truth), with a message, a message of unity to the Gentiles (that would be us): the same One given to us by God is given for all. Unity. We need a visit, that visit, from Paul today. He made the point of “sonship” — we are heirs; the riches of God’s grace are ours. And he offered a contract: when you believe, it is sealed.

Folks, there is no equivocation here — we are embraced in unity; our belief, if we so choose, is sealed; and our inheritance of the riches of God’s grace is guaranteed. No tiptoeing; no fingers crossed; nothing speculative or tentative. Our belief signs, authenticates, and delivers the contract.

It is what those women, bearers of so much pain (I was aware of their personal travails), knew as they sang with clenched fists, clutched bosom, and closed eyes. They unfailingly believed; they had a warranty, a fully executed contract, one superseding even the Emancipation Proclamation, a guaranteed declaration of a promise certain to be kept — assuring each of them their place in God’s presence. What they sang with beautiful voices and loving hearts, they inculcated in their souls; they expressed an everlasting knowingness of certainty — bonded in Blessed Assurance.

Do we have that today?

Prayer
I am an outsized fan of Stevland Hardaway Judkins, aka Stevie Wonder (b. 1950).

The lyrics — “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (1970)

“Like a fool I went and stayed (away) too long; now I’m wondering if your love’s still strong … here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I’m yours.”

Amen.

Reflection written by Clyde Yancy, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church