Called, Empowered … Rejected
“Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”
Michelangelo's depiction of the Prophet Ezekiel in the Sistine Chapel fresco powerfully captures the essence of this week's readings – especially our passage from the Old Testament, detailing his prophetic commission. The painting represents visually Ezekiel's vocation and the challenges he faced in his prophetic ministry, mirroring what we read in the story of his call.
The prophet's attire in the fresco is rich with symbolism. The red, fiery robe Ezekiel wears represents the burning intensity of God's word and the prophet's own fervent message. The passionate red is draped with blue, symbolizing Ezekiel's humanity - a visual reminder that God often works through human vessels, connecting to Paul's reflection on weakness and strength. The white turban and fluttering shawl signify Ezekiel's role as a divine messenger, called by God to a difficult task.
Ezekiel's posture and gestures in the painting speak volumes about the prophet's mission and the resistance he encountered. His large frame and powerful hands - one open in a pleading gesture, the other grasping a scroll - illustrate the tension between delivering God's message and facing a stubborn audience. This visual narrative aligns with God's warning to Ezekiel about the "rebellious house" he must address. The stone-like figures behind Ezekiel, representing the unresponsive children of Israel, also reflect the challenging audience described Jesus' experience in his hometown. God’s call to his messengers is consistant: he commands them to speak, "whether they hear or refuse to hear.”
The prophet's fixed gaze, directed both at the stone figures and an upward-gesturing angelic figure, encapsulates the dual focus of his ministry - addressing the people while remaining attuned to divine guidance. This visual element resonates with the themes we find in our readings of perseverance in faith and dependence on God's grace when we are faced with skepticism or rejection. Michelangelo's masterful portrayal of Ezekiel thus serves as a powerful visual sermon, reminding us of God's call to service, the challenges we may face in living out our faith, and the importance of remaining steadfast in our divine mission, regardless of the response we receive
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Scriptures
Ezekiel 2:1–7
Psalm 123
II Corinthians 12:2–10
Mark 6:1–6
Unwritten
This week, we're taking an unexpected musical journey with "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield, as performed by the Pub Choir in Melbourne. This isn’t our usual newsletter fare, of course, but exploring diverse artistic expressions can offer fresh perspectives on our faith journey, and awaken us to ways in which God may be present with us already in our other aesthetic and communal experiences.
At its core, "Unwritten" is an anthem of potential and self-discovery. The chorus proclaims, "Today is where your book begins / The rest is still unwritten." The Pub Choir's performance transforms this message from an individual declaration to a communal affirmation. As hundreds of voices join together, we're reminded of the power of community in our faith journey. This collective singing mirrors the church at its best - a diverse group coming together, each with their own "unwritten" stories, to create something beautiful and uplifting.
Bedingfield sings about breaking out of limiting mindsets: "Staring at the blank page before you / Open up the dirty window / Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find." In the context of Pub Choir, this takes on new meaning. It's not just about individual transformation, but about a community supporting each other to overcome self-doubt and limitations. This communal aspect resonates with our calling as a church to support and uplift one another, even (or especially) when facing rejection, skepticism and challenges.
"Unwritten" isn't a worship song, but its themes of embracing potential, overcoming limitations, and writing one's own story - especially when sung by a diverse group of "average" singers - can serve as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives as a community. It encourages us, like Ezekiel and Paul, to step out in faith together, to be open to God's call, and to trust that even when we feel inadequate individually, our collective story in God's hands is far from over - the rest is still unwritten.
As we reflect on this unconventional choice of music, let's consider how we, as a church community, can embody the spirit of Pub Choir - welcoming all voices, embracing our imperfections, and creating something beautiful together as we write our ongoing story with God.
