Cleansing

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:13-22

One of the challenges of our time, particularly in our churches, is anxiety over what we lack, especially money. Many parishes and ministries can only pay for part time clergy support. Many see this as some sort of failure or lack. Probably some of the monies collected in the temple were for the reconstruction of the temple and some went in greedy people's pockets. We can obsess about money to the detriment of everything else. We can miss the opportunity to pray, when we worry about the funds needed. We are invited to put prayer first in everything we do, asking God for the blessing and the increase.

Loving Creator, source of abundance

you never fail to fill our daily needs

yet we daily fail to be truly grateful

we assume these blessings are deserved.

Take us by the hand dear Lord today

turn us from the worry of commerce 

to the joy of being your children

and to serving others in your love.

Give us words of comfort in hard places

give us enough today so we can thrive

help us to set aside worry and pick up joy

for you are the source of love always. Amen.

Full Jars

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days. John 2:1-12

In the past few days, I have felt as if my supply, my energy is dwindling, not getting better. Even though I know it is all part of the healing process, it still is frustrating and embarrassing. Any time things are what they "should be", we humans get anxious and frustrated. We don't know who the bride and groom were at the wedding in our Gospel but running out of wine made Mary upset. She might have been particularly embarrassed if it was a family member. She knew her son's capacity despite his reluctance. "Oh, Mom, please", he must have said as he rolled his eyes. We know this as his first miracle, and we see his reluctant humanity. May we also know that we can take all of our hurts, embarrassments and lack to Jesus.

Wondrous Creator, source of all miracles

we do not look for miracles in our times

we think we are beyond need of you

yet we often find ourselves in great need.

This is the season of turning to you

even when, again and again we turn away

let us come back around to seeking you

let us asks for the miracles we need.

Help us to acknowledge our lacking

give us the strength to know our weakness

let us embrace our fragile humanity

so we can share your love with other humans. Amen

First Sunday in Lent

The Collect

 Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Old Testament Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. 

Psalm 32  

1 Happy are they whose

 transgressions are forgiven, * 

and whose sin is put away! 

2 Happy are they to whom 

the LORD imputes no guilt, * 

and in whose spirit 

there is no guile! 

3 While I held my tongue, 

my bones withered away, * 

because of my groaning 

all day long. 

4 For your hand was heavy

 upon me day and night; * 

my moisture was dried up 

as in the heat of summer. 

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, * 

and did not conceal my guilt. 

6 I said," I will confess 

my transgressions to the LORD." * 

Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. 

7 Therefore all the faithful will make 

their prayers to you in time of trouble; * 

when the great waters overflow, 

they shall not reach them. 

8 You are my hiding-place; 

you preserve me from trouble; * 

you surround me

 with shouts of deliverance. 

9 "I will instruct you and teach you

 in the way that you should go; * 

I will guide you with my eye. 

10 Do not be like horse or mule, 

which have no understanding; * 

who must be fitted 

with bit and bridle, 

or else they will not stay near you." 

11 Great are the tribulations 

of the wicked; * 

but mercy embraces those who 

trust in the LORD. 

12 Be glad, you righteous, 

and rejoice in the LORD; * 

shout for joy, all who are true of heart. 

The Epistle Romans 5:12-19 

As sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-- sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 

The Gospel Matthew 4:1-11 

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Temptation is hard to deal with no matter who we are. Fortunately, we are not taken up a mountain, starving and tested to the maximum. Most of us are tempted to indulge in self-pity. anger or greed. Some of us are tempted to misuse our station, power of beauty to get what we want. Whatever our temptations might be, and there are many, we are invited to seek God's answer to our trials, problems and temptations, by taking them all to the Lord in prayer. 

A Litany for the First Sunday in Lent

Loving Creator, source of all life

we feel inadequate and weak

we are tempted and distraught

and often give in to temptation.

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness.

You were tested, tempted and tried

by religious leaders and the devil

we are tempted by desire and greed

and rarely know our own hearts.

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness.

We forget to bring it to you

we try to solve all our problems

by our intellect and skill alone

yet you invite us to offer it to you.

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness.

Teach us to pray as Jesus did

help us to seek you every moment

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness.

Make us your disciples again this Lent

help us bend our wills to yours

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness.

For you are our loving Creator

and you promise to be always with us.

Precious Lord, help us in our weakness. Amen.

Come and See

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). John 1:35-42

The love of God is always invitation. God's love is always welcome, and room made for strangers. The disciples were curious, and Jesus invited them in. We have often known people of faith who shut others out. We have seen the consequences of forcing faith on others. God's love is something we can share, never something we can control. God loves us before we can even understand what love is. And when we do understand, we can share God's love by welcome and a seat at the table.

Creator, you welcome all of us home

you love us completely in our brokenness

you mend us and weave us together

and you make a space for us with you.

We often set up walls and rules

shunning those who cannot believe

yet you see them also as you children

and love them as you love all of us.

Help us today to live lives of welcome

help us to be humble and among the people

let us invite, welcome and make room

as you have welcomed us into your home. Amen.

The Spirit Descends

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-34

I do not remember my baptism, but I still have the little bible that my godparents gave to me on that occasion. Many of us are baptized as infants and wonder whether there was ever a spirit descending upon us. We share the baptism of Jesus, yet we often don't recognize the Spirit in our lives, let alone the Spirit of God. Yet we are all called to be filled with the same spirit. That Spirit is the spirit of generosity, humility, justice and love. 

Wondrous Creator, you shaped us all

as dusty clay in your loving hands

you breathed your spirit upon all flesh

the spirit of compassion and justice.

Your spirit of love see all as beautiful

your spirit makes us all siblings together

your spirit binds us as generous servants

and call us to serve the least among us.

Help us to put our compete trust in you

let us be filled to the brim with your spirit

let your love, compassion and justice guide us

so your spirit might flourish in all people.

 

Ash Wednesday

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Lent begins. We move from the season of Epiphany and focus on our hearts and our relationship to God. We focus on how we can renew our lives with humility and renew our commitment to service. When I served in the parish, I loved encouraging people to take something up, rather than giving something up. Folks love giving something up and making sure everyone knows about their great sacrifice. What if we, instead, took up a service, an agency or family that needed our help? What if we quietly shared our resources, in the abundance of the holiday season and did it without noise or recognition? We then would be more like the tax collector than the Pharisee.

Splendid Creator, constantly turning

you find us in our weariness and toil

you seek us in our darkest nigthfalls

and you call us to simply be holy and humble.

Help us to quietly observe this Lenten season

turning from pride to honest self examination

changing our ways to align with your love

changing our live to serve your people.

Help us to rededicate our live to you

give us the strength to leave greed alone

help us to move to those in greatest need

make us your peole again, dear Lord. Amen.

By Water

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,'” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. John 1:19-28

Today is the last day of Epiphany, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. We are in a very liminal space, between one season and the other, celebrating all the blessings of this life and soon, we will be wearing ashes and not saying alleluias. Our Gospel appointed for today points to us to John, who is clear about his role in God's kingdom. He too was caught between seasons, as Jesus was coming into his ministry on earth. Today we are invited to hold the joy and the sorrow, the hopes and fears, all the very real moments, and entrust them to God, who knows our needs, always.

Loving Creator, you lead us in each season

sending snow and rain, sun and wind

making the earth turn away and to the sun

always changing and always constant.

We humans cling to old simple ways

yet you invite us to move with the seasons

to turn and examine our hearts

to turn and see you in our midst.

Help us today to rejoice in your love

help us to prepare our hearts for Lent

let our moments be filled with gratitude

as you are with us through the ages. Amen.

Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

It is hard for some of us to think about this passage from John, which is often read during the Christmas season. We are just days away from lent! There is so much to change and prepare, and Christmas seems so long ago. I am grateful for the reminder of the vulnerable, precious, very human child of Jesus, who came into this world just as we did, and he dwelt among us and dwells with us still. We often get so very lenten, penitent and all that, that we forget to revel in the goodness of a wondrous creator who walked among us, lived in a harsh and violent world, as we do, and never failed to understand our sorrow or our agonies.

Creator, you breathed life into the world

you spoke and sent your son to live here

he walked the dusty roads and sat at table

one of the people, part of the family,

We often want our God far away from us

believing that we are masters of life

yet we know all too well how fragile life is

and feel the weight of all our burdens.

Help us today the seek him who dwelt with us

let us draw close and lean in to his loving arms

for we are vulnerable, and often broken

and love is here among drawing us closer. Amen.

Last Sunday After Epiphany

The Collect

 O God, who before the passion of your only¬ begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Old Testament Exodus 24:12-18 

The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. 

Psalm 2 

1 Why are the nations in an uproar? * 

why do the peoples mutter empty threats? 

2 Why do the kings 

of the earth rise up 

in revolt, and the princes 

plot together, * 

against the LORD 

and against his Anointed? 

3 "Let us break their yoke," 

they say; * 

"let us cast off their bonds from us." 

4 He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; * 

the Lord has them in derision. 

5 Then he speaks 

to them in his wrath, * 

and his rage fills them with terror. 

6 "I myself have set my king * 

upon my holy hill of Zion." 

7 Let me announce the decree of the LORD: * 

he said to me, "You are my Son; 

this day have I begotten you. 

8 Ask of me, and I will give you 

the nations for your inheritance * 

and the ends of the earth for your possession. 

9 You shall crush them with an iron rod * 

and shatter them like a piece of pottery." 

10 And now, you kings, be wise; *

 be warned, you rulers of the earth. 

11 Submit to the LORD with fear, * 

and with trembling bow before him; 

12 Lest he be angry and you perish; * 

for his wrath is quickly kindled. 

13 Happy are they all * 

who take refuge in him! 

The Epistle 2 Peter 1:16-21 

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 

The Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

We rarely understand or grasp the true nature of any other person. We rarely, even, grasp our own true nature. And we never see ourselves as our parents or children see us. We can never even imagine how God sees and knows us. Our daily insights and glimpses, snapshots of certain moments, don't reveal the whole picture. The disciples who were with Jesus, day in and day out, failed to see his true, complete nature. They too only had glimpses. Their mountain top moment gave them a profound and deeper understanding, although they could not comprehend it all, and didn't know how to respond. May we accept that in every situation, in every challenge of faith and understanding, there is more than meets the eye, and we cannot even imagine how God sees and knows us.

Loving Creator, you shared your son

your beloved child and savior

with a world blind to your love

unable to see the blessing among them.

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid.

We often cry out for your healing

rarely aware of your constant love for us

so absorbed in our worries and fears

we forget to see your presence here.

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid.

These days when violence seems to win out

and desperate people can only act out

let us wait with you on the mountaintop

holding on to hope until we can see you.

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid.

Let us be those who trust in your love

on the days we do not feel like loving.

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid.

Let us be those who humble ourselves

so that there is room at the table for others.

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid.

Make us your humble followers today

so that we might carry your love to the world. 

Precious Savior, help us get up and not be afraid. Amen.

Love God, Love Your Neighbor

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. Mark 12:28-34

It is easy to say, "love God and love your neighbor", but it is certainly hard to do. That simple phrase sums up what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Love is at the center of everything. We live in a very divide country, and if our neighbor is of a different political party, we think of them as the enemy. Loving God also means loving all of God's creation, including our messy neighbors, others' taste in decor, music and teams. There are just those who push our buttons and infuriate us, sometimes within our own families. The good news is that this is our daily work, our lifetime work and the way we follow Jesus. And Jesus walks in the midst of us, leading from the center, leading from the heart.

Creator God, fountain of love and life

you provide us with nourishment

place us in communities of support

and lead us in safety beside still waters.

Yu have showered us with love

often undeserved and always renewing

yet we often keep your blessings

and do not share what we have been given.

Help us to open our hearts and our hands

let us be ready to see enemies as neighbors

and strangers as truly your beloved

so we might make your love real in this world. Amen.

The Vineyard

Again Jesus and the disciples came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. Mark 11:27—12:12 

We are all tenants of this vineyard, this world and the corner of it where we are planted. We humans act like it belongs to us, but truly it belongs to the One who created the world and all of us. In our need to control and possess, we have damaged this sacred ground, this vineyard. We have hurt those who have cared for her. Today, I am invited to remember, no matter how important a person might think themselves to be, we are all tenants in this vineyard, made in the likeness of God, and sent here to tend the people and the land. We are caretakers of the love and blessings our Creator has showered upon us, and have the joyful task of sharing that love abundantly.

Loving Creator, you planted a vineyard

a robust and verdant home for us all

a garden where there is more than enough

yet we try to keep your bounty to ourselves.

We humans think that we can divide up

and control what has never been ours

we put up walls and define borders

believing we own this place and this land.

Help us Lord, to see our true glory

the joy we have in serving our siblings

the blessings we have as tenant caretakers

as we share your love and blessings abroad. Amen.

Paying Taxes

Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that ‘if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” Mark 12:13-27

Late edition - 

There are many things we have to do, which we don't necessarily like to do. People sometimes refer to this as "adulting". Yet those same little children couldn't wait to be grownups and set their own bedtimes. Now their bedtimes are often after they get the chores and tasks done. They long to be kids again. We're coming into tax season and the ads for tax help abound. Noone wants to do their taxes, let alone, pay the taxes. Yet, we wouldn't survive as a nation, a people without paying our fair share. This is not to say sometimes folks carry a larger part of the burden than they should, and the rich have tax shelters. Yet the joy of participating fully, is the blessing of joining with others, serving the suffering and taking our place in the community. 

Holy Creator, our source and strength

we live among those who are overwhelmed

with those who are hurt and suffering

and those who have plenty and share.

Too often we complain and whine

yet we are blessed so abundantly

we wish to be small children again

coddled, fed and taken care of.

You have made it a gift to share

you have called us to be the servant

who know joy as they give away

and who know you in the giving. Amen.

Ask in Prayer

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:12-26

There have been times in my life when someone I love is in need of a miracle. And I have prayed, as I always pray. There have been "good" outcomes and "bad" outcomes. I used to think that God didn't answer my prayers. Reflecting, though, on all of the many prayers I have raised, I know that I have received what was needed at the time, and, what once seemed like no answer, was truly the best answer ever. My mother kept a list of questions she had for God. I know she wanted to ask about why a parent has to see the death of their child, and many other, seemingly, unanswered prayers. I am sure she now knows that her prayers were heard and answered, as ours are. May we have the faith to accept that we have received what we need today.

Creator God, who hears our cries

who embraces us like small children

you bind our wounds, dry our tears

and ask us to have faith in the answers.

We often make the prayer lodge a bazaar

and think you do not respond to our needs

yet you, like a perfect, loving parent

watch over us every night and day.

Help us to pray at all times and places

help us make space for others to pray

let us always forgive and let go of hurts

so that we might know your love today. Amen.

Among the People

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:1-11 

Today is the feast day of Absalom Jones, the first African American ordained priest in our church, and founded of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, which still stands today. Saturday was the feast day of the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, first woman consecrated bishop in the Episcopal Church. Both were always out among the people. Both accomplished much in the face of resentment, prejudice and hate. They did it for the love of God and for the love of God's people. They both suffered greatly and did it with astounding joy. I have had the opportunity to worship in St. Thomas and now have the honor to serve in the diocese which elected +Barbara. May we realize the cost of following Jesus and cry out, as +Barbara always did, "Alleluia, Anyhow!"

The prayer for today are the collects for Blessed Absalom+ and Blessed +Barabara.

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Everliving God, in every generation you cause fresh winds to renew, refresh, and refine your people and in your Word summon us to live courageously as Easter people in an often Good Friday world. Defend us in our own day to make no peace with oppression; that boldly following the example of your servant Barbara Clementine Harris, chosen bishop in your church, we may strive not for ease or fame but gladly toil and walk with you all along our pilgrim journey; through Jesus our Savior. Amen

Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

The Collect

 O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

The First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-20 

Moses said, “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 

Psalm 119:1-8

1 Happy are they whose 

way is blameless, * 

who walk in the law of the LORD! 

2 Happy are they who

 observe his decrees * 

and seek him with all their hearts! 

3 Who never do any wrong, * 

but always walk in his ways. 

4 You laid down your commandments, * 

that we should fully keep them. 

5 Oh, that my ways were made so direct * 

that I might keep your statutes! 

6 Then I should not be put to shame, * 

when I regard all your commandments. 

7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, * 

when I have learned your righteous judgments. 

8 I will keep your statutes; * 

do not utterly forsake me. 

The Epistle 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 

Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. 

The Gospel Matthew 5:21-37

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” 

I know I make lots of mistakes and find it hard to forgive those who have hurt me. I am also reluctant, like many of us, to admit to the hurts I have caused, and ask for forgiveness from them. I am very human, as we all are. I find this teaching from Jesus very difficult, because he speaks directly to our very real, human behavior. We stumble, we fall, we do damage, we stray from our vows, and we pretend like we are always good and faithful. We then have the audacity to judge and exclude others. We are invited today by Jesus, to self-examination and honesty. We are invited to be reconciled with our neighbor and with our God.

A Litany for Sunday 2/12/23

Holy Creator, healer and reconciler

you planted us in a verdant garden

placed us in loving communities.

yet we are estranged from you and others.

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us.

Our heads are hard and hearts closed

we want to be the most important one

the shining star amidst a dark sky

but we are fallen and broken today.

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us.

Mend our world dear Lord and heal us

help us to run to reconciliation always

let our hearts be torn open for the world

and help us to carry love where we go.

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us.

You taught us to be those who are humble

yet we are too often haughty and aloof.

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us.

You taught us to be faithful and forgiving

yet we have held the hurts and taken our revenge.

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us.

Let us be reconciled to you O God

for you are the source of love reconciled. 

Take our broken hearts, dear Savior and remake us. Amen.

Servant of All

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:32-45

Humans are always jostling for position, recognition and attention. Whether it is young siblings fighting for their parents' attention, or workers trying to get the better job and the affection of their boss. It is, indeed, a human impulse. And yet, Jesus pushes back on both James and John as well as all the disciples, including us today. To be faithful followers or Jesus calls us to be servants, and willing to go to the rough places and among the unwanted and the outcasts.

Creator God, you fashioned each of us

to bring our gifts to serve the world

yet we would have the world serve us

and we ache for attention and honors.

Jesus offered himself for all humanity

despite knowing his hoor and place

the Savior of the world washed feet

and offered his life suffering for all.

Let us today follow his loving example

being ready to serve the outcasts and needy

ready to go to messy and overlooked places

to bring your love as we serve the people. Amen.

Last Will Be First

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Mark 10:17-31

From childhood we struggle to be first in line. As parents we want our children to be winners, strong, at the top of their class, excelling in everything. We wanted to be picked first for teams as children. As adults, we want our team and our team only, to win. We measure success by position, money and power. To all of this human competition, Jesus invites us to be servants of all, to willingly take the last place in line. To give power, prestige and resources away, seems a foolish way to live. That is just what living as a follower of Jesus demands - to be a follower, to serve and bless like he did.

Loving Creator, you endow us all

you made us in your very image

providing for our daily needs

and yet we ache for more than our share.

We are like little children, pushing and shoving

aching to be first, admired, recognized

our real gifts are found in what we can give

and who we can bring along with us.

May we be joyful with our place in line

may we rejoice for the daily blessing given

delight in sharing our gifts with others

and know God as we give ourselves away. Amen.

let the Little Children Come to Me

Jesus left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:1-16

The disciples, in this passage of Mark, speak sternly to the parents in order to keep the children away from Jesus. He opened his arms to them. He knew that their authenticity and openness is always ready to receive God's love. Yet generations after, folks forced Indigenous children from their parents and their people, believing they were bringing them to Jesus. Some folks meant well; others wanted to "fix' a problem they saw. The disciples also wanted to fix a problem and yet, Jesus had a different idea.

The suffering and abuse which happened in our Indigenous Boarding Schools is a horror and continues to haunt and damage our people. Our ideas of control are not our saviors. 

Gracious God, you hang the stars

so we might delight in the night

and you light the day with sunshine

so we might work and play in beauty.

Some of us feel the need to control

and some would blame that on you

yet you let them all come to you

the tearful, the raucous and the silly ones.

Help us to follow you by welcoming

let our lives be dedicated to service

let us not inhibit or restrict anyone

knowing you love us all so perfectly. Amen.

A Stumbling Block

Jesus said, “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 9:42-50

Today would have been my mother's 100th birthday.  She was a loving mother, a faithful Christian and a dedicated pastor's wife. She gave her life to us and to the church and always focused on the needs of the children. She had a rough upbringing during the dust bowl in Oklahoma, and was committed to serving children by feeding them, teaching them, and welcoming them with open arms. She refused to be a millstone, but instead lifted up the weak, the outcast and the lonely. I am grateful to be her daughter! That is exactly what we are called to be - those who clear the road of all stumbling blocks and welcome all as we were welcomed.

Loving Creator, you open your arms

to the small, the weak and the vulnerable

as you opened your arms wide to us

help us to share that welcome with others.

We like our comfort and our circle

yet we forget were once standing outside

we were once small, weak and shivering

you made room for us in our deepest need.

Our rigid world is full of locked doors

and barriers that shut out the little children

help us today be those who removed the weights

and welcome them with open, loving arms. Amen.

One Such Child

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus 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.” John said to him, “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.” Mark 9:30-41 

I am always reassured when I read the Gospel stories that show the disciples cutting up and being very human. Like us, they fought over foolish things, and this gives me great hope since I am so flawed and can find myself fussing over all the wrong things. If those who were closest to the living Christ were still human and imperfect, then we can admit our mistakes, make amends and go on. Jesus taught the disciples about servanthood by taking a child in his arms. Not the prettiest or the fanciest, but one, I imagine with sticky fingers, a grubby face and dirty feet. Like we all once were. Let us fall into the loving arms of our Savior, who accepts us just as we are, and open wide our arms to those in need of love's embrace.

Wondrous Creator, who love us all

despite out messiness and our violence

despite our stupid arguments and big egos

you reach out to hold every one of us.

You picked up and embraced a child 

to show us all how to serve and care

that no matter the stature of a person

God's love is reaching to embrace them.

Make us servants of all needing love

make us ready to embrace the difficult

the wiggly, the cranky and the obstinate

knowing you embrace us in all our weakness. Amen.

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany February 5, 2023

The Collect

 Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Old Testament Isaiah 58:1-9a 

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. 

Psalm 112:1-9

1 Hallelujah! Happy are they 

who fear the Lord * 

and have great delight 

in his commandments! 

2 Their descendants will be

 mighty in the land; * 

the generation of the upright 

will be blessed. 

3 Wealth and riches

 will be in their house, * 

and their righteousness 

will last for ever. 

4 Light shines in the darkness 

for the upright; * 

the righteous are merciful 

and full of compassion. 

5 It is good for them to be 

generous in lending *

 and to manage their 

affairs with justice. 

6 For they will never be shaken; * 

the righteous will be kept 

in everlasting remembrance. 

7 They will not be afraid 

of any evil rumors; * 

their heart is right; they 

put their trust in the Lord. 

8 Their heart is established 

and will not shrink, * 

until they see their desire 

upon their enemies. 

9 They have given 

freely to the poor, * 

and their righteousness stands 

fast for ever; they will hold up 

their head with honor. 

The Epistle 1 Corinthians 2:1-12

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 

The Gospel Matthew 5:13-20 

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Yesterday was very cold and the winds were whipping up strange clouds of white dust. It took us awhile to realize that the clouds were being formed by dried salt from the road and driveways. The weather in January was very mild but now February is packing a punch of cold. The best gift we have these days is the sunshine, which helps to brighten the otherwise bleak midwinter. This time of year, it is easy to be overwhelmed by bleakness, hunkering down indoors and dwelling on our own real problems. We are called to be salt and light in others' darkness and loss. We have been blessed with the power to be both, and yet it is all too common for us to extinguish our lamps, turn inward and stop trying. May we shine this day, knowing we are empowered by God's love every day.

Radiant Creator, source of all life

you daily give us all that we need

you send rain and snow, sun and wind

to nurture this sacred planet, our home.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today.

We often want to hide from the world

the cold and pain too hard to bear

yet daily you bear our suffering and pain

and turn our sorrow into newfound joy.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today.

No one is lost to you, no one too far gone

you seek thee lost and the wanderers

you imbue them with light and love

making them the salt our world needs.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today. 

We hide our brokenness from you

yet you call us to seek your healing.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today. 

We ache for different, happier times

although you are with us in every trial.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today. 

Make us your disciples again today

and let us bring your light to the world.

Precious Savior, help us to be salt and light today. Amen.