“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6
This weekend in San Diego is Comic Con weekend when thousands-upon-thousands of people will gather at the Convention Center to celebrate all that is comic-book related. It is a gather and a celebration of comic-book related art that overflows into movies, television, art, interactive multi-media, gaming, conversations with some of the actors in movies and creators, and much, much, more. Comic-Con overflows from the Convention Center and out to the streets and venues that are near downtown San Diego.
Being new to San Diego, (and having arrived in the SD County during COVID) I haven’t really been exposed to all that happens with Comic-Con, but this year is different. This Friday, my son Aaron and I are going to venture into downtown to view a showing of the movie “Napolean Dynamite,” a quirky coming of age movie that Aaron loved when he was a young adolescent (but I also thought it was a funny movie). It has a lot of stupid jokes and memorable scenes (“Vote for Pedro”) so it will be fun to watch on a big screen and to hear the conversations from two of the actors. I can’t wait to see all that will be going on.
The gathering of comic-book fans reminded me that every week, throughout San Diego County, there are thousands-upon-thousands of people who gather in houses of worship to celebrate Jesus Christ. I know that you and I probably take it for granted that these gatherings take place, but when I pause long enough to think about it, it is amazing that we gather to celebrate Jesus’ life and resurrection. We gather to celebrate “the hope that we have in Jesus. We gather worshipping one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God, who is Father of all.” These gatherings, large and small and diverse in many, many ways are something that we should celebrate and be amazed. And the other amazing thing is that these gatherings have been happening around the world for over 2,000 years.
So, when we worship this weekend, be amazed. May we celebrate Jesus with eyes and hearts that are open to the Spirit moving in our midst and may we share this Good News with others.
Have a great rest of the week and I hope to see you on Sunday.