I See You

You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart to declare the praises of God who called you into light. – 1 Peter 2:9 (adapted) 

I was guest-preaching for a colleague on leave. The text was 1 Peter. I told the congregation that “Peter” was addressing them, that the dignity and high calling he announced was theirs. I threw in some Paul, too: You are the first fruits of a new creation, the image of a world redeemed.  

Snickering ensued. I knew what they were thinking. 

The image of a world redeemed?  

Had I seen them?

Yes, I had. All silver-headed 19 of them, dotting the hollow sanctuary. The shrunken organist who wasn’t born on the bench but who’d surely die there, maybe by sermon’s end. The inevitable soprano quivering towards a pitch. The liturgist disappointed by wan “good mornings,” demanding more cheer. The usual suspects offering the usual prayers: hospitalizations, grandkids, sick pets.  

Yes, I saw them: the very glory scripture describes.  

No one believed it. Too grandiose, so silly. Royal priests with aluminum walkers and 7-day pill organizers? If they were a people set apart, it was mostly for naps.  

Here’s what they missed: 1 Peter wasn’t addressed to a congregation any less precarious or unimposing than theirs. Paul wasn’t writing to powerhouses, either, but to churches wispy in numbers and faith, none a sure thing. Yet to them it was said: “You are a royal priesthood…” 

A congregation’s worth doesn’t derive from demographics. Its cosmic dignity doesn’t require cosmic-level ministry. We’re gathered by a Spirit more generous than that. She takes the little thing we are, the little things we do, and sweeps them all up into God’s vast drama of sin and reconciliation, mercy and healing, justice and peace.  

We are what She is doing, more than we can ask or imagine.  

We are the glory we receive.  

Prayer
Holy Spirit, show us who we are so that we may testify to God’s new world, swept up by you in its eternal making.

About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.