October 17

Acts 8:9-25
9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place. 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness." 24 Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me." 25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Much of what the church is called to do is of interest to the rest of the world. There have always been people who have been interested in the church not for the gospel, but for the status or money that they could get from naïve believers. Simon was a wonder worker who saw in the church a way of expanding his influence.

Simon is also a believer. The church has been given the power to heal. That healing is so that the brokenness of the world might be resorted to God’s desire for the health of the world. Jesus presence in the church is the focus of the proclamation. This is not about the disciple’s success. It is about the sharing of God’s goodness.

The church also has the responsibility to identify and confirm that the gifts of the Spirit are present in the believer. People are often invited to discern if they might serve as pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry or deaconesses. The candidacy process of the ELCA is there to both help the individual hear and act on this call and to discern as the church if the gifts given the individual will be best served in these public offices. Like Simon we would like to find ways to shorten the process.

In the end Simon apparently lives out his life in the community in ways other than being a healer. He ask for the apostles’ prayers. He remains connected to the community but we do not hear of his role. The story is not about Simon, it is about the proclamation of the good news.

Reflection questions:
1. How does your congregation help you discern your gifts of service?
2. How should the church or congregation help people see that they do not have the gifts required for the role they desire?
3. How might you help others to expand their vision of what God is calling them to do or be?
4. What role does personal ambition play in life in the community of faith?