Strength and staying hidden from the enemy are images evoked from Isaiah 49:1-7.  The servant, the nation Israel, confesses identity as born and called by God, endowed with gifts (hidden by God for protection, verse 2), and then sent to show strength and enlightenment to others. Images of birth and body connect with sword and arrow. Restoration is the underlying theme, restoration of those who have been despised. Psalm 40:1-11 evokes further images of restoration and protection, proclaiming trust in God as the one whose love and covenant loyalty keep the psalmist safe.

	Can war bring peace?  Can destruction build up?  Can violence heal?  Why do you answer these questions as you do?  What do our prayers, experience or reason teach about these questions?

In 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, the apostle Paul greets the church at Corinth, describes the congregation as faithful, and then admonishes them to be blameless. Paul’s admonition continues through the reading for today – accusing members of the Corinthian church of all kinds of misdeeds. Further, Paul’s demand for blamelessness continues to function as a concept of control from above. Those in power determine what is acceptable, while everyone else competes with each other for good standing.

What connects Paul’s letter with the other readings for the day is the language of strength through God’s blessing, here expressed “you are not lacking in any spiritual gifts” (verse 7). Congregations of all stripes may want to probe this line further and celebrate the plethora of gifts among them.

The gospel passage this week shifts from Matthew to John. John 1:29-42 presents  conversations of John the Baptizer with Jesus right after his baptism – also between Jesus and Andrew and Simon.

In light of the preceding texts promising strength and restoration, the call here is for name change — new identities, or new understandings of one’s present identity. See verse 43: “You are Simon son of John.  You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).  Name change connects to an invitation to “come and see” (verse 39) and eventually an invitation to leadership. The calling is to claim one’s identity to its fullest, and to use it to follow Jesus (verse 43), to do God’s work, even if we do not feel particularly prepared or comfortable.

	What or who has most contributed to shaping who you are and in shaping your community of faith?  What ways does following Jesus shape your identity or your congregations? How do you live out your identity in the world?