Psalms 25; 9, 15; Amos 7:1-9; Matt. 22:23-33; Rev. 1:1-8
A plumb line is a cord with a weight on its end used to determine verticality. In Amos we find the use of the plumb line as a standard of living justly and righteously. At the very heart of our common lives together we often fall short of all God calls us to be in the world. Within our blessings of success, we often find an imbalance in life, where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The plumb line exposes who we are in community with one another. The determining factor is not so much about how we measure ourselves, but more about the unit of measurement to make the determination. The plumb line invites us to reassess how we conform in discipleship through our character, creed and conduct. When we can face our authentic activity in the world, embrace our shortcomings and use them as a growing tool, and are able to not only stand in our sin, but also name it. As Iyanla Vanzant says, “begin to call a thing, a thing,” it is then that the real work of salvation can begin. True discipleship can then flourish as we recommit to care for our communities.
It can take an Amos experience to enter into our hearts and minds to remind us the true source of power found only in God. Remember that it is God who still holds the plumb line; it is God who still makes the crooked straight, the weak strong and raises the lowly to high places. Our response is to continue the course and commit to the complete care of all of God’s people, until justice truly rolls down like waters of righteousness throughout creation.
Gracious God of second chances. We pray for eyes which see and ears which hear your constant whisper. AMEN.
The Rev. Glenice Robinson-Como, ’10
Canon Pastor
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, HOUSTON, TEXAS
Glenice Robinson-Como is a native Virginian and received her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a diploma of theological studies from the Seminary of the Southwest. She worked as a staff ombudsman with the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging for ten years and worked in contract administration with the Department of Defense and with the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Southern California. She has served as chaplain to The Beacon and chaplain to the John Epps Chapter of United Black Episcopalians (UBE) and has been a mentor with Kids Hope USA. She is the chair of the Commission on Black Ministry, a member of the diversity committee at the Seminary of the Southwest, a board member of Amazing Place, and is a trained Veriditas labyrinth facilitator. Glenice is the author of a meditation in the book Yes!, Jesus Loves Me — 31 Love Stories by Kathy H. Culmer and of a prayer entitled “The Least of These” in the book Lifting Women’s Voices, Prayers to Change the World, which addresses the themes of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. Glenice is married to Paul L. Como and they have two children, Paulie and Dominique, and a family dog, Chance.Advent Meditations is a gift to our seminary community and made possible through gifts to our Annual Fund. Seminary of the Southwest appreciates the support of its friends, alumni and the communities around the world that its graduates serve for the glory of God. This support ensures that Southwest, as an institution made of individuals dedicated to service to God and their fellow members of the body of Christ, can continue doing its part to build the Body of Christ.
