Commencement

This week we will be celebrating the commencement of students who will be graduating from high school and college, as well as the commencement of those who will confirm their Baptism. It is an interesting word, don’t you think. The word commencement his commonly associated with graduation ceremonies, and rightly so. It does not simply mean, however, that one completed the requirements necessary for a diploma or degree and is therefore ready to get on with whatever happens to be next on our list of goals and accomplishments.

The etymology of commencement is fascinating. It can mean to enter into with force, to begin together, to come into existence, to begin to be. I really like the last meaning — to begin to be — as in, to be who we really are. And that is why I selected Romans 12:1-10 for this week’s reading (see below along with the Zoom information).

In what ways are you beginning (beginning again) to be who you really are? Are you intentional about your ongoing becoming?

These and other questions will make for a great conversation tomorrow. I hope to see you then!

This week’s scripture reading:

Romans 12:1-10

1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 

6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 

Zoom Info:

Link for Men’s Bible Study at 7:30 a.m. Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85610681954?pwd=lbwwfzdUbAtlK7OVMswSP8uDvRsyA2.1

Meeting ID: 856 1068 1954 Passcode: 200461

Link for Women’s Bible Study at 10:30 a.m. Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83582289022?pwd=F0kOsaeGRTTnaoaL12rx7rIzjy89nJ.1

Meeting ID: 835 8228 9022 Passcode: 130287