A Cup of Water

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop

 him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed

 of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is

 for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name

 of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be

 better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have

 two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble,

 cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 

And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God

 with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and

 the fire is never quenched.

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you

 season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:38-50

A Cup of Water

A simple gesture, a smile

opening a door, moving over

giving half a sandwich away

sitting with the newest child

changes the world in small steps.

Power would have us believe

winning is absolutely everything

yet the sweaty hands of a child

the laughter around the table

this love is absolutely everything.

We do not need to fear those

who would ignore us with disdain

they will miss the dancing

they will not see the twinkling light

that sparkle with joy in our eyes.

God created perfectly imperfect humans

so we could look to the brightest stars

to hope for future to step towards love

embracing the every day random 

singing praise deep in the night's hours.

The Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

She Got Up and Served

 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

 At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:38-44

I can see my mother's hands still, strong and agile, as she cooked a meal for all of us. She reigned in the kitchen, loved to feed people, and enjoyed eating as well. Her favorite phrase was, "how come my cooking tastes so good to me?" She would laugh her infectious laugh, knowing she had made a delicious dish. She loved to sit and visit with people and always made sure they had something to eat and drink. As a pastor's wife, she cooked meals for hundreds of people and I still have those recipes for the throngs. Until her late 80's, she fed 40-60 poor children every week. She found real joy in her service.

Jesus is taken to a family home and healed the woman of the house. Her health restored, she leapt up to feed and care for the visitors. It was her kitchen, her home and in her gratitude for being restored, she wanted to feed and care for them. It was her joy, to serve them, buzz around her kitchen, making her guests comfortable and fed. We are called, in our gratitude for the love we have received, to serve those around us. We will find joy restored as we make others comfortable and well fed.

Today, I ask God to help me find joy in service. May we make room at the table for those who come our way, grateful for the love we have received and now can share with joy.

Out They Came

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” And a report about him began to reach every place in the region. Luke 4:31-37

Yesterday we lived through a spectacle of biblical proportions. I have no idea what will happen today about our supreme court, but I do know that I saw a gentle woman telling her truth and powerful men loosing it big time. Anger is not the sign of demon possession, but it struck me over and over, why were they so angry? Justice and deliberations are often time consuming efforts. As I prayed last night I asked why so much anger?, and here is our passage for today. "Let us alone!" When we can't or won't be bothered for the sake of others, I have to wonder what is behind all of this. Yet, as what we can do we do - pray. " Lord, keep this nation under your care; and guide us in the way of justice and peace."

Jesus begins his ministry by healing a troubled man who screamed at him while he was teaching. His response to people in pain or trouble is to heal them. He models for us a ministry of compassion and deep understanding. Hearing the tirades of broken hurting people is where we have been called. We are also invited by God to move and pray for justice and peace, despite all of the anger and tumult that can surround us. We follow Jesus, and some days, that can be very challenging.

Today I ask God to help me be an instrument of peace, healing and reconciliation. May we live each day, deep in prayer and ready to bring a word of love and grace to our very broken world.

The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Luke 4:14-30 

The Spirit of the Lord

The early morning light breaks
tree stretch to it's dawning
we move like frozen statues
sleepy, lumbering and awkward.

Shallow breath fills our lungs
we are like statues frozen upright
we flail without animation
aching for a new spirit we rise.

The delay of justice burdens
the abuse of victims buries
wounded the wounded
has bound us as if stone.

Yet we are being freed again
to dance in the morning sun
to rejoice on warm exotic sands
and to gather a community of love.

The spirit of the Lord is upon us
to set the prisoners free
to bring sight and strength
and to let justice roll like rain.

Encountering the Devil

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned 
from the Jordan and was led by the 
Spirit in the wilderness, where for 
forty days he was tempted by the
devil. He ate nothing at all during 
those days, and when they were
 over, he was famished. The devil
 said to him, ‘If you are the Son of 
God, command this stone to become
 a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him,
 ‘It is written, “One does not live by 
bread alone.” ’

 Then the devil led him up and 
showed him in an instant all the 
kingdoms of the world. And the 
devil said to him, ‘To you I will give
 their glory and all this authority;
 for it has been given over to me,
 and I give it to anyone I please. 
If you, then, will worship me, it will 
all  be yours.’ Jesus answered him, 
‘It is written,“Worship the Lord your 
God,    and serve only him.” ’

 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle
 of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw 
yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his
 angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God
 to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed 
from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13

This is the season of the year, as autumn deepens, where we are
flooded with images of bats, witches, spiders and devils. We revel
in all things scary and creepy, and TV responds by broadcasting our
most beloved horror movies. The problem is, the ancient and
modern images of incarnate evil belie the truth of evil. Evil is
pretty, familiar and tempting. The devil is a fallen angel and can
 find our pride, greed and selfish need buttons all too quickly.
Power is the most seductive of these demons, followed closely by
 fortune and fame. Those with power think themselves gods,
 who can do no wrong despite laws, norms and ethics. There is
 no greater evil than that.

Jesus begins his ministry with deep prayer, in silence and in
 the wilderness. We know this because he shared this profound
 encounter with his disciples. The devil knew the weaknesses
 of his flesh, of all of us. The temptation is always to satisfy
 our bodies, to wield power, and to test the limits. Jesus makes
 a choice and invites us to follow. When we are tempted to
 abuse the power, the station, the relationships, the fortune
 and fame we have been blessed with, we are face to face
 with evil. It is not scary but pretty and seductive. Yet, we
are called, every day to name it, recognize it and accept
 again the way of Christ which is humility, kindness and
compassion in all things.

Today, I ask God to help me see the temptations around
me, resist the pretty and seductive pride of place, and follow
 the example of Jesus. May we rededicate our lives to
 humility, compassion and love in this world that seems to
promote grabbing, lying and abuse for those who are in
positions of power.

With You I am Well Pleased

 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’  Luke 3:15-22

Well Pleased

The Artist who created love

this divine painting of hope

the promise of being beloved

here in our saturated human form.

We are soaking wet and praying

for a ransom paid, for pain's release

we are aching for divine love

to shower us all over again.

Even the holy child, the promised

submitted to the deep waters

like us lived in this tortured flesh

like us adored by the Author of all.

Rise up from these deep waters

for the promise is on the horizon

sing the song again and expect

the life returning to failing ones.

Not conquered not thrown away

we are loved beyond measure 

our sorrows held in God's heart

we are lifted up back to light.

The Crooked Made Striaght

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” Luke 3:1-14 

This weekend is the first time I could start light exercise after my back surgery. I got in the pool and did some laps, more slowly and more awkwardly than I would have liked. My very crooked spine has straightened out some, but it will be a full year until we know things are truly healed. So I did my limited work out and feeling a wee bit sorry for myself I slunk into the hot tub to soothe my tender muscles. When I was getting out a little girl asked me why I wasn't practicing. I told her I was done for the day. She said, "good job!" and gave me a high five. How a simple act of acknowledgment and affirmation can remind us that God is always working to straighten the crooked, mend the broken and surround us in out times of weary despair.

The opening chapters of Luke tell us about the ministry of John. He unfolds the principals that Jesus will reaffirm throughout his ministry. Compassion, sharing and love will be the signs of those who love God. John was baptizing the people who came to him and he gave them life lessons as they went on their way. God is with us in our times of weariness and despair, and we, who have received love and healing are invited to share what we have with others. A simple lesson we learned as small children, to acknowledge the good in others and to concern ourselves with their well being.

Today I ask God to help me follow the direction of God and the little girl I met yesterday. May we encourage those who need it, lift up those who stumble and share with all those who come our way today.

To Save the World

Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” John 12:44-50 

To Save the World

This fragile globe is turning
our hemisphere is losing light
we too are turning again
so that we can save our home.

Some would wield weapons
protecting homeland for all
we share one homeland
one sacred, maternal soil.

She is weeping and flooding
her tears for peace and healing
overflow all  nations, boundaries
turn again and seek the light.

We would judge and partition
she would have us listen
deep into the soul's night
seed planted can begin to grow.

Our garden is neglected
our hearts are bent towards hate
turn again sweet children
love comes in this new season.

Welcome a Child

                

Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching 

his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill

 him,  and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was

 saying  and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing

 about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the

 greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of 

all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, 

he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever

 welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:30-37

I am a mother of three, a grandmother of three, step grandmother of four and love children. They

delight my soul. And, my children could wear me out and bring me to tears almost instantly. They 

all the buttons to push, exacerbating me in already exhausted and stressed situations. They would

complain about not being pretty enough, smart enough, cool enough etc. We didn't have the money

to but them the latest trends. I could not convince them that they were incredibly beautiful, wondrous 

to behold and capable of real magic. They all have hearts full of love and serve up kindness and care

every day. Their sweet breath and wildness of childhood is moderated, yet, despite myself,

I miss their noise and mess. Welcoming children into one's life is hard, exhausting work.

Jesus knew his disciples didn't really understand what was before them, and did not know what to ask, 

let alone how to ask. His response to their argument was to tell them to welcome a child.  We don't

 know whose child it was, but we can surmise that the child was well known to Jesus. This child was

 a delight and a torment to his family, as all children are. The beloved child proffered to the disciples

was probably messy from a meal and play with those grubby fingers that leave marks everywhere. 

This is who Jesus invites us to welcome when we are worry about our future, or about our station or

place. We are invited to get down, listen to the shrieks, kneel in the mess, realizing again that is 

where we find God. Our Love Divine is not found in the thrones or the oval offices but in the 

kitchen and playrooms of our lives.

Today I ask God to help me welcome the child in myself and in everyone else. May we embrace the

mess of our lives, not trying to fix things, but instead focusing every moment on welcome and embrace.

The Collect

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, 

while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure;

 through  Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, 

for ever and ever. Amen.

Turning

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfil the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
‘Lord, who has believed our message,
   and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’
And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,
‘He has blinded their eyes
   and hardened their heart,
so that they might not look with their eyes,
   and understand with their heart and turn—
   and I would heal them.’
Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.  John 12:36b-43

Turning

Oh how we love our hating

our bitter hardened hearts

love to pour our hearts out

weeping as the anger builds.

Oh how we love human glory

the attention and accolades

we seek to be loved best

we want to act above it all.

There is no bullet ever fired

that has turned a heart to love

there is no violence that begets

a burgeoning of hopefulness.

Oh if we but lived for others

if we turned our hearts for love

if we but spoke a hopeful word

if we but lent a warm kind hand.

May our hate be washed away
like messages in the summer sand
may we take down the mean walls
and turn our hearts to love again.