Easter 6c - Conclusion

Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10-22:5; John 14 23-29
I’m counting the census takers that are meeting at the tables across from my blogging chair at Roots Coffee House. I think there are eight of them, although I’m pretty sure some of them are hiding in the back room. Of the ones I can count 4 are female and 4 are male. 5 are Caucasian, 3 are African American and they all look to be in various stages of middle age. I’m not sure what that has to do with the lessons of Easter 6c except that the constitutional mandate to categorize people by race and gender and age reveals how far we are from the Biblical mandate to be one. Lydia, without a synagogue because women don’t count, welcomes Paul the Jewish male into her home which by their partnership in the Gospel will become an all are welcome place of worship. The nations in the psalm judged with equity are counted as those who will know God’s saving power. The twelve tree forest in the gates counted and walls measured New Jerusalem will heal the nation’s warring madness and people divided by race and language will be joined into one vast chorus of praise. And finally, unlike the peace of the world that passes quickly into fear and trouble, Jesus brings a peace that passes our understanding which means when Jesus does the counting everyone counts.