Magnificent Multitude

Jo Penn August 13, 2026 4 2

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Romans 10: 5-15 (NIV-UK)

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 ‘or “Who will descend into the deep?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

I first went to Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in the late 1980s. It was there I first conversed with real life Franciscan monks and with members of the Iona Community, sowing seeds of my life at Scargill House now. I also sang a scratch Messiah, went to Dance music based sung worship, listened to serious debates about current topics and met with people with a whole range of views, along with listening to some great music.

Despite the primitive hospitality facilities (for this read trench toilets) there was a searching for what is real of faith and life seen especially in the Sunday Morning Communion celebrated on the field of Main Stage. All were invited to join in liturgy and song, led from the stage, and then communion was shared with ‘wine’ in plastic beakers and a simple piece of bread with the small group around you. No pretense, just an honest invitation to eat together — human to human, stranger to stranger. Participating in part of the mystery of the church’s following the instructions Jesus left through the Last Supper with his friends.

This reminds me of the promise in Revelation 7:9a ‘After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language. Standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.’

This promise seems to me to be the working out of part of today’s passage from Romans, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Romans 10:13) Are we willing to be part of this magnificent multitude?

Prayer celebrating diversity:

God, you are good.

All that you have made is good.

Each one of us are formed in Your image, worthy of honour and blessing and welcome.

Help us to listen to, engage with and explore other viewpoints and experiences of those we meet – and curate a holy curiosity within us.

And dream through us Your wonderful creativity, telling Your story in poems, songs, art, dance and drama of how You delight in seeing the releasing of gifts for Your praise and the blessing of many.

Amen