Strangely Warmed

… to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2 In his sermon on The Cure of Evil Speaking , John Wesley describes the sin of evil speaking this way: "Speak evil of no man," says the great Apostle: -- As plain a command as, "Thou shalt do no murder." But who, even among Christians, regards this command. Yea, how few are there that so much as understand it what is evil-speaking. It is not, as some suppose, the same with lying or slandering. All a man says may be as true as the Bible; and yet the saying of it is evil-speaking. For evil-speaking is neither more nor less than speaking evil of an absent person; relating something evil, which was really done or said by one that is not present when it is related . Suppose, having seen a man drunk, or heard him curse or swear, I tell this when he is absent; it is evil-speaking. In our language this is also, by an extremely proper name, termed b...

The epiclesis is the part of the communion prayer in which the celebrant, calling on the Holy Spirit, asks God to make Christ's body and blood real and present in the bread and wine. This, for example, is the epiclesis from a current  United Methodist communion liturgy : Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Within the framework of the current ecumenical consensus, the epiclesis occurs near the end of the Eucharistic prayer, but it has not always been so. Sixteenth century reformer Huldrych Zwingli denied that the bread and wine were Christ's body and blood at all. The supper was a memorial. A...

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10  Among those in need, can Christians prioritize their brothers and sisters in Christ? The United Methodist Church teaches that it is not only permissible to do so, it is officially required. The General Rules we inherited from John Wesley direct those who want to belong to the Methodist societies to do all the good they can, specifically: By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another, helping each other in business, and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only. Wesley is alluding to Paul’s writing in Galatians 6:10. Paul's word "especially" (μάλιστα) could also be translated "most of all" or "above all" or "to the greatest degree". The General Rules  demand that membe...

Spiritual worship is a physical act. Standing, sitting, bowing and kneeling. Orienting your body toward the cross as it processes, the gospel as it is being read or the table where Christ offers himself to us. Walking forward to confess your faith, ask for prayer or take communion. Raising your voice in word and song. Using your hands to offer the peace to your brothers and sisters or to receive the bread of life from the celebrant. Using your mouth to eat and drink the meal Jesus gave us. Using your ears to listen to the word being read. Using your eyes to contemplate the visual arts that adorn the sanctuary and to take notice of the people around you. Even inhaling the smell of fresh-baked bread, burning incense or just the distinctive odor that characterizes your particular place of worship (smell, I understand, is one of the most powerful senses). All of these are ways God’s ushers us into his presence. They are all means of approaching his throne of grace with prayer and praise a...