Today's Lectionary TextEsther 4:12-14When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Today's DevotionalAs I watched the services of Commissioning and Ordination last weekend, I couldn’t help but remember going through those high and holy moments myself. I am especially mindful of how different these services are today than my own were – and yet how much the same. The time of year is most noticeable. This year has changed so many things in life – both day to day and special moments. This year’s classes of commissioned and ordained clergy had their hopes and dreams for celebration with crowds of family and friends dashed by the necessary lock-down orders back in May. Disappointment abounds when our plans have to change drastically. I hope and pray that in the high and holy moments these servants have now experienced, in making vows and receiving blessings and the laying on of hands, there is a sense of knowing that all is well and that it is for a moment like this that they have answered God’s call to ministry. I am also mindful that the disruption in their journey brought on by COVID-19 is perhaps a good metaphor for the ministry of all believers. None of us has the control we might like to have over the events of our lives. Yet each of us is called to serve God’s realm in specific ways through the gifts we have been given. Sometimes we are challenged and stretched far beyond what we thought we had signed up to do. Those challenges can be stumbling blocks, or they can be the means of growth. It doesn’t matter whether we are called to set-aside ministries through ordination or to servant ministries as laity, we will face challenges. But, like Esther, we are called for “a moment like this” – whenever this time is. Mordecai asked Esther to dare to speak on behalf of her people. Isn’t that what we are asked to do as followers of Jesus Christ in THIS time? To speak up for those children of God who are not able to do so; to stand up to those who oppress others; to proclaim the Word of God – these are not only the work of those who are set aside for specialized ministry. They are the work of the Church – all of us! --Rev. Robbie Fall, retired Elder Prayer for ReflectionGod, you call us to service for a moment in time. Help us to hear and answer your call in whatever form it comes. Amen.
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