“Imagine a world where every room you step into everyone there knows your name. You show up, and people you’ve never met greet you, as if events couldn’t get started until you got there: “Hey Al,” “Hey Carol,” how’s it going? It’s a strange phenomenon, to be recognized so immediately, so personally – every room, be it 4 people, or 40. Your stock has gone public. Everyone has seen a picture of you; knows your name. Of course, I’m not talking about you becoming rich and famous, I’m simply referring to life in Zoom meeting rooms.

It’s weird to show up in a meeting for the first time, and before you’ve introduced yourself, everyone already knows you – your name is out there. “Oh look, okay Garrett’s here. Let’s get started.” “Yeah, hi everyone, I’m Garrett.” Here we are, all having tiny tastes of stardom, every day.

‘Do you not know? Have you not heard? It is the LORD who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name.’”

Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 40:21-31
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c