There is no great nation of united states. The revolution never happened. But that's not even close to the strangest part of the story.
In the story, some people are born with a "knack," a special ability that allows each of them, in a limited way, to perform some supernatural feat; start a fire with their minds, find underground water, tie an unbreakable knot, command metal to shape itself, etc. Since the 1600's, England has been "transporting" these undesirables to the "new world." Better there than near the Royals. France and Spain, seeing the wisdom of this, follow suit. When our story opens, many generations later, almost all of the people occupying the new world have "knacks."
And then there's Alvin Miller.
Where almost everyone else has only one knack, and a very few have two or more (such as Benjamin Franklin, America's greatest wizard), young Alvin has them all. And that's not a good thing. Think of Clark Kent as a seven year old boy growing up in Smallville, Kansas while possessing the abilities of a Super man and I think you will get the picture. A bit unnerving.
But even more that that, we christians are uncomfortable with people, even fictional people, having abilities that cannot be explained by science. We're OK with teens being bitten by radioactive spiders, but many of us start to squirm if their powers might be from a magical source. Alvin's certainly seem to be in that latter category. But, setting that to one side for the moment, I want to focus in on one of Alvin's particular knacks.
He can walk on water.
And that brings me to this week's Lectionary selections, specifically the scripture from John 6. This the "Jesus walking on water" story that is also told in Matthew 14 and Mark 6. But there are a few differences in the three versions. Matthew is the only version in which Peter steps out of the boat and then Jesus gets into the boat. Neither John nor Mark mention Peter; Mark ends with Jesus getting into the boat. But it is Mark, alone, that contains, at least for me, the most remarkable statement.
What if you could walk on water? What would you do? I can only know how I would answer, but I can tell you what I think most people would do if they could walk on water.
Walk on water.
If I could walk on water, that's what I would do. And I can tell you something else, I'm pretty sure I would enjoy it, immensely. And, given the option, I would do it often. So, while it may at first seem shocking to discover the bombshell in the Mark version, I think I can understand it. There in the Mark narrative is this: "At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them.” (Mark 6:48 MSG)
Wait. What? He intended to go right by them?!
Yep. There it is. Jesus was not walking on the water in order to rescue his disciples. And he had no intention of joining them. Only after they saw him and became so frightened OF HIM (thinking He was a ghost) did Jesus have compassion on them and walk toward the boat so He could calm them.
So, what, you may ask, was the original plan? Was Jesus just on a 4:00 a.m. stroll across the sea? Maybe taking the most direct route to the other side?
Well, what would you do if you could walk on water?
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
Proper 12 (17) (July 26, 2015)
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
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P.S. The story of Alvin Miller as he grows from child to adult, and the struggles he goes through to understand and control his abilities is fascinating. Card is such a good storyteller, and his characters, especially young Alvin, are so well written we readers find ourselves caring a great deal about them. They are the kind of books that are very hard to put down. They're like reading Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, only with powers. So, if you enjoy alternate history, and are not put off by a bit of magic, I heartily recommend these to you. [A big thank you to my friend, Karen Powell who, despite my protestations ("I don't read stuff like this."), continued to insist I should.]
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Join us Friday morning for more great times at Lectionary Breakfast. At 8:00, we start reading the menus and and just visiting together; by 8:15-ish, we've placed our orders and are looking at the scriptures. Then, more fun than should be allowed ensues. To be honest, we aren't always able to pry ourselves out of there by 9:00, but it's close. The folks at Waco's "Egg and I" restaurant seem to understand.
Join us. It puts a spring in your step.
Enjoy the week!
Steve
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