April 18, 2027
Narrative Lectionary – NL142
Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-18 — Paul & Barnabas healing in Lystra. “We are mortals, not gods.”
Matt 10:40-42 —Who welcomes you welcomes me. A cup of cold water for the little ones.
Thoughts
If Paul miraculously heals someone, he must be a god. After all, such grace couldn’t come from a mere mortal, right? Part of the mystery of God’s grace is that it often comes to us in what seem to be unworthy vessels. We don’t like hearing the truth from people we look down on. We have a hard time acknowledging the gifts we receive from people who are flawed. We find it hard to believe that grace or beauty or wisdom can come from those we don’t like. So we miss out on God’s grace a lot. But God’s grace is pure, regardless of the vessel.
One challenge of taking the good news out into the world is that we’ll have to share it with people who will find us to be unworthy vessels. We’ll be strangers to their ways. They probably won’t see us as divine emissaries, but weirdos. Hang in there. God’s grace is powerful, even when shared by unworthy people—even us.
And when grace does happen, when you are blessed to be the means of even a lovely gift, let alone a miraculous power, remember that it’s not about you. It’s God, working through you. Be prepared, then, to be a vessel of God’s grace, regardless of how you or others feel about you.
Prayer
God, bless me that I may be a vessel of your grace.
Though I may feel unworthy, I trust
that you have chosen me to bear your grace into this world.
Though I may feel proud, remind me
that it is your goodness, not mine, that heals.
When people scorn me, give me grace to remain faithful.
When people praise me, give me grace to remain faithful.
The mystery at work is your infinite, beautiful grace.
I am your imperfect vessel. Use me.
Amen.
Suggested Songs
(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page.)
All of the Gifts I Have (Tune: Fairest Lord Jesus)
All of the gifts I have, all that is within me,
you give to me, O God, with care;
all of my prayers and skills, passions and energies
you grant to me to freely share.
Here are my hopes and dreams, attitudes and deepest loves,
all of the treasure to which I cling.
I will not hold them in, stilling my ardent song,
but serving you I’ll freely sing.
In all I keep or give, may I do my very best
in everything I say and do,
in harmony with you, only to love and bless,
with joy, to serve and honor you.
Bearers of Light (Tune: Morning Has Broken)
God, how you love us, hold us and bless us,
reign from above us, lead us by hand
Call us to healing, bound by your Promise,
your Word revealing, by your command.
Great holy giver of life and wonder,
deep like a river your blessings flow.
Gladly we give you praise and thanksgiving:
gifts we will give wherever we go.
Baptized, anointed, filled with your Spirit,
we are appointed bearers of light:
for liberation, servants of justice,
bringing the nations joy and delight.
Send Us In Love (Tune: Morning Has Broken)
God in your mercy you are forgiving.
Now in our living we give you praise,
bearing your grace that blesses and frees us,
following Jesus all of our days.
Christ, your good news we share in thanksgiving,
gratefully living as you have done.
Make us your Body, faithfully sharing,
loving and caring, serving as one.
Send us in love now, Great Holy Spirit.
All we inherit is ours to give.
Set us to healing, humbly expressing
your gracious blessing that makes us live.
Send Us, Jesus (Tune : All Through the Night)
Send us, Jesus, in your spirit, held in your love,
to this torn and troubled world, still held in your love.
When despair and pain have found us,
still your mercy wraps around us,
giving hope that may astound us,
held in your love.
Send us, Jesus, bearing witness, held in your love,
present with the poor and broken, held in your love.
Evil looms, so cruel, deceiving,
leaving victims shorn and grieving;
still we will not cease believing,
held in your love.
Send us with the power of healing, held in your love.
Give us courage, strength and wisdom, held in your love.
To the selfish powers, oppressing,
may we stand, your love expressing,
facing fear with grace and blessing,
held in your love.
Send us for the sake of living, held in your love.
Give us grace to be forgiving, held in your love.
Facing evil’s vile rejection,
fearless love is resurrection.
May we be your best reflection,
held in your love.
Your Hands and Your Face (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)
God of all holiness, baptized in you,
we are your Body: your presence shines through.
We, poor in spirit, are blessed with your own.
May our lives shine forth with your grace alone.
We who with Jesus do mourn with the world
shall see your banners of deep joy unfurled.
We who are hungry for love freely shared
feast at the banquet that you have prepared.
May we be merciful and pure in heart,
your gentle peacemakers, doing our part.
Dying and rising, we do not fear loss,
sealed with your Spirit and marked with your cross.
Blest and beloved and baptized to serve,
we are your Body and you are our nerve.
Not by our effort, but by your pure grace,
may we be your hands and your human face.