Give the Money to the Poor

As he 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; Honour 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

The news broke the other day. The President was taking over the police force in Washington DC, in order to rid the city of it's homeless. Not to care for them, nor help them find safe living situations, but rather, so things can look pretty and clean for he and his wealthy friends. Threats were made that seem to point to coming violent retribution if the homeless didn't move. This is so far from something a follower of Jesus would do. Calling oneself a Christian, and then abusing the least among us, is not Christian at all. We all need to pay our bills, but when we are blessed with billions, we culd save whole families. We could show the love of God to a hurting world. May we be those who give what we are able and give hope to the suffering.

Wondrous Creator, who blessed us with life

and who showers us with abundant gifts

the sweet riches of community and family

and our daily food and our daily shelter.

Too often, we let our greed and fear define us

we hoard our wealth as if we can take it with us

we refuse to see need as a sign from heaven

to offer what we have for the needs of others.

Lord, help us to live as last in line, instead of first

give us eyes to see the aching people around us

and give us hands to help and hearts that are moved

to share what we have and live always for others. Amen.

Let the Children Come to Me

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 10:13-16

I have been brokenhearted by images of children being separated from their parents during recent ICE raids. I am outraged when we tear any child from any parent. I spent a good deal of my young life teaching Sunday School, babysitting and working in a nursery with two year olds. Their working class, hard-working parents in the 1970s had no choice but to have us take care of them during work hours. But the delight they demonstrated when picked up each afternoon was astounding. And the terror they felt when a parent didn't show was horrifying.  Jesus says that God's kingdom belongs to the children, and we are to care for them as such. We are also to behave with the kind of love, sincerity and wonder that children display. 

Gracious Creator, you made us small and vulnerable

so when we grow up, we might understand the weak

the outcast and the homeless with great compassion

and live our lives for the care of these precious children.

Yet we take our strength and power as our right

and wield authority as if it cannot be taken away

we forget about those who you called us to love

and refuse to care for the vulnerable in our lives. 

Lord Jesus, make us childlike and compassionate again

give us the eyes and the hearts of little children

who live to embrace the new day and loving family

and make us care for the needy and vulnerable again. Amen.

Be At Peace

‘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

We all want peace, I believe, but we want our competitive, walled off lifestyles as well. Peace means living with other people in mind, protecting the safety of the vulnerable, making room at the table for the hungry, and seeing to the needs of the unhoused. We can be stumbling blocks so easily when we fail to make the care of others our priority. Peace comes when we sit together and listen, not when we bomb communities and leave them with nothing. We are called to be salt, living for others, and be at peace with one another through compassion, care and listening.

Loving Creator, you are the source of peace

despite the chaos we create and truly enjoy

your heart is one of compassion and caring

calling us to be those who shelter the weary.

We like our creature comforts and our fences

we love to criticize people who are different

we round up the aliens and the refugees

and call them criminals and undeserving.

Give us your peace anew today, dear Lord

and give us hands to share and eyes to see

the needs around us and strangers as family

so we can carry your peace into our world. Amen.

Sunday, August 10th, 2025 - Proper 14

Sunday, August 10th, 2025 Proper 14

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. "But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Luke 12:32-40

When we were children, living by the ocean, a family friend owned a gift shop which had a treasure chest called "Captain Kidd's Treasure Chest." It was filled with surprise bags; paper bags filled with trinkets and small toys. We rarely got a chance to dive in and get a bag, but on occasion, our parents would front us the 25 cents so we could pick a treasure. Usually we were delighted, but sometimes we were disappointed in what the surprise bag held. Life is often like that as we dream of great riches, and we are disappointed with our small "treasures." We fail to see the riches we have in the love and faith around us. Jesus tells the disciples to give, rather than build up treasures. He calls us all to build up treasures in heaven. Faith, compassion, love, generosity and inclusion are the gifts and treasures of heaven. They are in short supply these days. May we be those who have our lamps lit and are spreading God's love.

                                                A litany for Sunday, August 10th

Wondrous Creator, you shower us with treasures

giving us abundant love and community for free

asking us to tend to the needs of those around us.

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.

We often fail to see the want and needs around us

too busy focused on amassing wealth and power

never seeing how fleeting and shallow both are.

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.

You told the disciples to sell riches and give alms

and store up treasures in heaven by giving to others

and caring for the most vulnerable around us.

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.

Move us from fear to helpfulness today, dear Lord

for we are weary, confused and without direction.

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.

Help us to live humbly and with great compassion

so all might see the loving treasures in their midst.

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again.

For you are the source of all good and gracious things

and we are always yours, secure in your love for us all. 

Draw near to us, precious Savior, and teach us how to live again. Amen.

I Believe; Help My Unbelief!

When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ Someone from the crowd answered him, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.’ He answered them, ‘You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.’ Mark 9:14-29

Many modern scholars have decided that the story of the boy possessed by an evil spirit is the story of a child with epilepsy, something controllable these days. Yet I think we can get prideful and distracted by our modern diagnoses, while missing the anguish of the father and the failure of the disciples. In our times, with all the modern medical treatments, there are still times when the child is still getting worse and all the medicines and devices aren't working. That deep anguish is something we can all respond to, times when we've tried everything, nothing worked, and we're completely exhausted and broken by the experience. Jesus speaks to the heart of all of us who are completely exhausted and broken. "All things can be done foe the one wo believes." And we can respond as the father did. "I believe; help my unbelief!"

Wondrous Creator, you hold us as your beloved

a prefect parent embracing these crying children

bringing us the needed healing and deep peace

despite the fractious world we live in these days.

We often turn from our faith when pain prevails

we are furious that our pain is still with us

we try to blame others for the suffering we bear

and seek revenge on all who don't help us.

Lord, help us to believe again and ask for help

seeking your answers in a world of confusion

make us strong in our faith as we call on you

so all who come after us may know of your love. Amen.

Transfigured

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’ Mark 9:2-13

Sometimes, we get glimpses of the real person, the one not hidden behind the facade of correctness and propriety. Occasionally, it's a good insight that warms our hearts. Too often, we see the bitter, angry and petty person hidden inside the polished, warm exterior. Three disciples, who lived with Jesus day in and day out, got a momentary glimpse of the real Jesus. They saw him with Moses and Elijah, the famous ancestors of their people, those they believed closest to God. And here was the man who walked the dusty roads with them, conversing with the saints, and hearing the voice of God. It confused and amazed them, scaring them within an inch of their lives. They didn't know what to do and they realized this was no ordinary teacher. From this dazzling moment on the mountain, their journey would be to Jerusalem and the final passion. This little glimpse helped them hold on to their faith in the face of great trauma.

Gracious Creator, you give us vision of beauty

in the midst of trying times you send sweet breezes

you comfort us with kind friends and strangers

and restore our hope even when we are very afraid.

We often trust in our own strength and power

and when those give out we curse and cry out

yet you are sending sunsets and new days to all

and restoring our vision, if we would but take it in.

Lord, help us today to see the glimpses of your love

make us humble so we can share your love abroad

keep us strong and faithful in these hard times

so your love might shatter all walls and chains. Amen.

Take Up Your Cross

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’ Mark 8:34-9:1

Today, the church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration, a moment when Jesus' true nature was revealed to three disciples. These disciples knew him so well, and yet, they really didn't understand him fully. And we, like those three disciples, don't really understand the full reality of Jesus nor of God, the Creator. We always try to make them something familiar, something we can comprehend. Yet, we are called, not to try to understand everything (for we never really can) but instead, to give up or deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. Following demands us to not know the road ahead or the destination, but to live humbly, caring for the people on the road, loving those who are tossed aside and rejected. May we, on this feast day, deny ourselves and follow him, so the world might be transformed by love.

Loving Creator, source of all knowledge and skill

you call us to live humbly in service of others

to share what we have with those who have nothing

and to be companions to those we meet on the road.

We like the comfort of our homes and secure walls

we think we are better off when we are defended

we refuse to mix it up with those who are struggling

yet you know we are struggling and no better.

Help us, Lord, to deny ourselves and follow you

so our hearts might be broken open to your love

and your love might transform us daily for service

so your love is seen in the darkest places on earth. Amen.

Healing Our Sight

They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ And the man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’ Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ Mark 8:22-33

Jesus draws a blind man away from the crowd to heal his eyesight, which happens in stages. Healing is rarely an instantaneous event. Rather, healing calls for us to admit our need and be willing to be touched and treated by others. And healing our sight and our insight takes many steps and reiterations. In our Gospel story we find that Peter claims Jesus as the Messiah and in a short time later, is called Satan by Jesus. Like Peter, it takes us humans many iterations and much practice to open our hearts, minds and eyes to the healing in front of us. Peter's fear kept him from hearing the truth and made him rebuke the Savior of the world. We all have these times in our lives when our being can't or won't take in love and healing. May this be the season when we set aside fear, and all human defenses and open our eyes and hearts to Divine healing and love.

Loving Creator, source of all healing

we are surrounded by your love and care

planted in communities of faith and hope

secure in your love for all of creation.

Inn our dark times, we can rebuke love

we turn away from truth and escape to fantasy

we pretend we are smart enough to mend ourselves

and forget that we are part of a larger holy family.

Help us to humble ourselves today and ask

for the healing, help and insight we need

realizing we are fragile, fearful and anxious

and you are the source of healing, strength and faith. Amen.

Signs

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’ 

Mark 8:11-21

We all get to times and places in our lives where we ache for signs of hope or signs of direction. We can get lost under the weight of pain, grief, loss a physical and life changes. We often feel tested and sometimes fully disappointed with our lives. We crave a way out, a sign, helping us out of the mess we find ourselves in. Jesus doesn't chastise those that come to him hungry, ill or lost. He was chastising the religious leaders of his day who wanted signs to test him, not to help any of the thousands of people surrounding them who needed immediate care. Jesus doesn't chastise those who are suffering. Instead, he calls them and us, to fall into his arms once again. To trust that love in moving towards us all, bringing healing and restoration when we are breaking apart.

Gracious Creator, you wrap us in your love

like a warm blanket in the coldest nights

you gather up all people to your warmth

and provide your light as we stumble along.

We want to be self-sufficient and independent

none of us likes it when we need a helping hand

too often, when you draw near we pull away

and miss the tenderness of your loving arms.

Lord, enfold us again as a parent holds a child

let us fall back trusting you will be there

seeing the signs of your love all around us

and sharing that love with all who are suffering. Amen.

Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 Proper 13

Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, Proper 13

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, `What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, `Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." Luke 12:13-21

We live in a country of have and have nots. The rich get richer, and others suffer due to their greed. Throughout scriptures we are admonished to care for the poor, the sick and the strangers in our midst, and yet we find that many are reaching just the opposite. If you are wealthy and keep amassing wealth, it is a sign of God's pleasure and blessing. Yet God sent his son to a poor, unwed mother. The child and his family became enemies of the state and became refugees. Jesus worked with his hands most of his life and condemned those who made money on others' suffering. For my people, wealth was not in possessions but in the love of a family. No riches can replace the love and belonging we have in our families and clans. We are called to be rich for God, to seek building up the treasures of kindness, compassion and inclusion. To have treasure in heaven. 

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                                            A Litany for Sunday, August 3rd

Wondrous Creator, source of all families

you heap your blessings upon all people

and you live in every culture, clan and people.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven.

We often disregard your command to love one another

instead, we hoard our wealth and ignore the rest

we are comfortable at the expense of many others.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven.

Yet you tell us stories and show us the way to live

Your Son was born to a young mother, an outcast

and your brought abundant blessings through her.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven.

We walk away from need while we are too comfortable

help us to see the need and share what we have today.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven.

You have always made your home among the outcasts

help us to see your presence among the stranger today.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven.

Make us faithful and humble again, Lord Jesus Christ

so we might be blessed as we share with all your people.

Precious Lord, help us deny ourselves so we might have treasure in heaven. Amen.

Even the Dogs

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’ Mark 7:24-37

We were always grateful to have a dog when we were children so we could smuggle the food we did not want to the dog. We have been grateful, as parents, to have a dog to clean up food left after the children were done. We've had a dog around all of our lives together. These days some dogs are treated better than human children, with no expense spared on boots and strollers and the like. But our Gospel was written in very different times, when dogs were never seen as children. They were solely for protection, guarding and herding, protecting sheep and people from thieves, predators and pests. The woman who begged Jesus to heal her child, was willing to be numbered among the dogs. She knew that Jews were not welcoming to "gentiles" and were not to touch or converse with them. Yet she broke down barriers for love, she stood up to the cultural assumptions. Jesus responding with healing to her fierce love. May we all be willing to break down barriers for love, so Jesus can bring healing to us all.

Precious Creator, you love beyond culture and clan

you heal all manner of people and feed the hungry

you make room at the table for stranger and outcast

and call us to love them like you always have.

We like our private clubs and our exclusive ways

we think our massing of wealth and power will save us

we are unwilling to share or break down barriers

yet we too were once strangers and outside the walls.

Help us, Lord Jesus, to make room at the table

give us the strength to move beyond our fears

Make us persistent like the Syrophoenician mother

so we might fight for those who only get the scraps. Amen.

Traditions Challenged

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’ Then he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! For Moses said, “Honor your father and your mother”; and, “Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.” But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, “Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban” (that is, an offering to God)— then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.’ Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’ Mark 7:1-15

Two days ago, we celebrated the 51st anniversary of the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven, the first women ordained in the Episcopal Church. Barbara C. Harris was their crucifer, and she went on to become the first woman elected bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion. I was in my final year of seminary when she was consecrated and had the privilege of being present at her consecration. She was a trailblazer, as were the Philadelphia Eleven, facing many challenges and exclusions from our church. Barbara, then retired, Gayle and I were the only women of color in the House of Bishops for fifteen years. We three often found ourselves at the mercy of unwarranted criticism and hostility. In our Gospel today we hear Jesus challenge the traditions and judgment of religious leaders. May we remember that Jesus was always with the outcast, the untraditional, and the women, bringing healing and hope in the face of religious rejection, judgement and cruelty.

Loving Creator, source of all hope and healing

you are welcoming, embracing and encouraging

of all of your diverse and confusing creations

and you know how human traditions can deeply wound.

Those who are often excluded suffer needlessly

they don't look or act like the norms of tradition

their voices, languages and cultures are foreign

but they are known and loved by you every day.

May we make room for those who are strangers to us

understanding they are carrying your love to the people

help us welcome the ones we cannot understand

trusting that Jesus is with them and with us as well. Amen.

Take Heart

When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Mark 6:47-56

We have seen a good deal of storms this summer, some which have been devastating to life and communities. Some have cleared the skies and brought cooler weather and rainbows. It is hard not to lose heart when so much storm damage surrounds us. It is easy to become frustrated and defensive. Others, who are not affected by the storms and are far away, can judge the damage as failure and our fault for not being prepared. Jesus did neither. He saw his friends in trouble and got into their boat. He sees us in trouble and gets in our boat. May we, in the storms of life remember that we are being sought out, divine calm and safety are coming, and healing is coming even on strange and distant shores.

Wondrous Creator, the world you made is powerful

the seas and the winds show us your presence

the bird song and the night sky speak your name

and we are all made in your divine image.

 

Too often when the storms arise we seek to blame

we tremble with fear and we curse the skies

we forget to look for you in the midst of the winds

and we lose sight of home and all calm harbors.

Lord Jesus, help us to see you coming in our boat

restore our faith and restore our eyes to see only you

may we have the strength to use your love for others

and may we be those who save others from their storms. Amen.

Rest A While

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. Mark 6:30-46

The past two days, after a wonderful wedding weekend celebration, I had to rest. We often forget that Jesus was insistent that his disciples rest after all their hard work. We who are clergy and in helping professions often refuse to rest until we fall apart. And we also have experienced that as soon as we take some rest, the needs of others come to find us. This is what happened to the depleted, exhausted disciples. In the midst of their exhaustion and frustration, Jesus found a way to feed the hungry folks gathered and sent the disciples away for more rest. We often find ourselves asking "how are we going to do this," when we are so spent that we have no reserve. Yet Jesus provided a way for them and will provide for us as well.

Loving Creator, you provide for our needs

giving us strength to work and time to rest

helping us find the help we need to go on

and shelter us from the storms of life.

When we are depleted, we become angry

we lash out and cry out in our deep pain

our human hearts can only bear so much

yet you are always there to provide our needs.

Lord Jesus, help us to see the need around us

and likewise know the need within us all

so that we might find rest and renewal in you

and tend to the hungry and outcast in your name. Amen.

Sunday, July 27th, 2025, Proper 12

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:1-13

                                    Sunday, July 27th, 2025

Many of us cannot remember when we learned the Lord's Prayer. I don't remember really and when I learned it we said debts and debtors in place of trespasses and trespassers. It is so familiar to many of us yet we forget the context in which it was taught. We also forget the teaching that followed. Ask, seek and knock for the Creator, our Heavenly Father, is more ready to give than we are to ask. We often can cry out in pain and abandonment, in our grief and our fears, yet we often forget to pray, asking as a child to a loving parent. God is more good and gracious than we can ever imagine. God aches to hear us. May we, have the faith to keep up our prayer life, whispering or shouting, singing or weeping our prayers to a loving Creator, who is love.

                                    A Litany for Sunday July 27th,2025

Loving Creator, you answer us in our hour of need

you draw near and restore our hope and dreams

and you breathe new life into our broken places.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed.

We do not seek you out in our times of great need

instead we scream and complain of being cursed

when in fact we are blessed by your love every day.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed.

The world is full of danger, sickness and woes

we wring our hands and sigh with discouragement

while we have the power to seek our most powerful God.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed.

You breathed and the world took shape and form

breathe on us again, Lord so we are made whole.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed.

Hear our prayers whether they are whispers or shouts

so we might know your love poured out for us.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed.

Give us your strength, lord, so we might always pray

trusting you are ready to hear and even more ready to answer.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as your disciples prayed. Amen.

Daughters

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’ While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-43

I was one of four daughters, we had three daughters and we have two granddaughters.  No matter what age we are, we know ourselves as daughters, sisters, women bound together by love and shared history. We find two women healed, one an older widow and the other a girl of twelve. He called the older woman daughter and the child a little girl. He saw them, healed them and loved them in context of a larger family, of belonging, despite age and circumstances. This week, with a wedding on Tuesday and the part on Saturday, all our daughters and granddaughters will be together. The generations of women who learn from one another, share the stories and make new ones. Connected and bound together, even when we don't feel that way. May we all rejoice in the love we have in family, seeing the whole of humanity as our larger family and friends. May we see a stranger and know that they are just the family we haven't met yet!

Gracious Creator, you sent Jesus to heal

to return sisters and brothers to each other

to make new families of healing and love

and to call us all to rejoice in our belonging.

Too often, in our isolation we feel abandoned

we live in fear of the people on our streets

the headlines make us believe we are alone

when in fact, we are surrounded by your love.

Make us curious, welcoming and fearless again

so we might rediscover our rootedness here

so we might see your love binding us and healing

making us your children, daughters and sons forever. Amen.

My Name is Legion

They came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ For he had said to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us into the swine; let us enter them.’ So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned in the lake. The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. Mark 5:1-20

The story of the man possessed, and other stories of demon possession capture many imaginations. But truly that story is our story, each and one of us. We like to think the grossly mentally ill is not us, but it is. The Gerasenes were other, to the disciples since they did not keep kosher and lived very differently. Yet the man with all his troubles and anguishes, was healed by Jesus, and everyone was afraid and many misunderstood. Pigs can't fly but the can swim which I'm sure the Gospeler didn't know. Each of us is possessed by many troubles, pains are sorrows. The Gerasene "demoniac" displayed his torment publicly, while we pretend, we are not tormented, we are not full of fear and rage. Jesus went right to the man all others feared. And Jesus faces right into the things we fear. May we offer our demons and our fears to the one who is ready to heal and fearless in all circumstances. 

Tender Savior, who meets us among the tombs

you are with us in the darkest moments of life

tenderly holding us and opening arm to us

you dispel our demons and restore our lives.

We torture ourselves daily with our failures

our disappointments and our fears haunt us

we live in fear that others will see our demons

and abandon us to the deep unquiet places.

Lord Jesus, come to the places we've buried

and bring your light and you great love

so we might be forgiven, healed and renewed

for your service of love and healing to the world. Amen.

A Swamped Boat

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ Mark 4:35-41

This past week, my life has been full of storms. The last blog I wrote was for Thursday last, and I ended up in the hospital for four days on Friday with a raging infection. I felt like I was swamped and sinking. I have bailed out many a boat, so am not too afraid of the storms and yet this was a rough one. There were lots of prayers uttered when I could and a big fight to keep fear at bay. You see, our daughter Phoebe got married last night and I was determined to be there. Every nurse, aide, PA, and doctor was advised that I needed to be out on Monday. A child's wedding did seem to motivate folks and my healing process. I did get out on Monday evening, and despite all the challenges, we got to enjoy a lovely wedding, the wonderful couple and a small gathering of friends and family. Did Jesus climb into my boat literally? No. But he was there with me breathing peace, calming my storms and getting me safely to the other shore.

Gracious Creator, author of wind and waves

your beauty is seen in all of your creation

in the waves and wind along the shoreline

and in the faces of those we deeply love.

Too often we think you have abandoned us

because we cannot see you, we assume the worst

yet you breathe peace, stillness and calm on us

and help us to rise up when we are surely sinking.

Help us to have faith today, dearest Savior

for despite all of the storms we face in this life

we do not face them alone, you are at our side

and you always bring us the calm and stillness we need. Amen.

Eating And Healing

One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’ Again, he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Mark 2:23-3:6

There aren't too many times we see Jesus really angry, but this is one of them. The religious leaders were criticizing Jesus and his disciples for plucking grain on the sabbath. Even more so, the leaders were furious that he dared heal on the sabbath. They couldn't heal anyone, but they judged Jesus harshly and set out to destroy him. We humans are prone to criticize others, often out of jealousy and rarely righteously. He reminded them that the sabbath was made for mankind, so feeding and healing were in God's hope for the sabbath. May we in this time, be aware of our jealousy we might disguise as righteousness, and feed and care for the people, every day.

Tender Creator, you set aside time for our rest

and want the best for all of us in this creation

you are with us in the days that challenge us

and lead us all into the light of your love.

We like to act superior and righteous to others

yet we are frail and flawed being full of fear

we cover our fear with rage and cruel judgment

forgetting that you call us all to serve our neighbors.

Lord, have mercy on our fragile and fearful hearts

and install you love and fearlessness within

help us to feed the hungry and heal the broken places

so the world might see your love in action today. Amen.

New Wineskins

Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, ‘Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. ‘No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.’ Mark 2:13-22

Jesus used the image of new wineskins to illustrate, along with other word pictures to help us envision how we deal with different situations and different people. The folks were judging Jesus eating with tax collectors and comparing him with John's way of living which was austere and isolated. We are in danger when we compare, and judge people and situations based our own cultural experiences and biases. When life changes for us, with age and injury, we cannot behave as we once did. We might need to ask for help and ask questions, so we understand. We need to assess our capacity and refit our lives. We are invited today to set aside our judgments and seek the support and insight of community, before we tear new holes in the fabric of our lives.

Gracious Creator, you made our lives everchanging

and despite our desire to keep everything as it was

you know our growth and wisdom come from change

our hearts are opened anew when we face into the new.

We are nostalgic and mostly blind in our memories

we want things the old way despite the danger

of living in the past and judging with no clear eyes

shutting out all the living joy we won't embrace.

Open our eyes to the new changes around us, Lord

and help us to see possibility and new joys coming

help us to set all fears aside so we can truly embrace

your love and healing in brand new wineskins. Amen.

Carrying the Mat

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ Mark 2:1-12

What a gift to have friends who help in times of need and illness! The friends of the paralyzed man were willing to do anything and everything to find healing for their friend. They not only carried the mat but made sure he saw Jesus by breaking through the roof. Jesus and these men also disregarded the religious leaders' criticism and judgement. The poor man, lying on the mat wanted only to be healed. The love of his friends brought him to Jesus. And Jesus healed him. May we be carriers of the mat, willing to break through barriers and criticism so others may receive healing.

Gracious Creator, source of all healing

you put your love in the hearts of all people

giving us the courage to stand up to bullies

and to break through all human barriers.

We are often too afraid to stand up to criticism

scared to be those who tear down walls for others

fearing that we will be punished and shamed

worrying about ourselves and not our neighbors.

Give us the courage today to carry the mats

making room in this crowded world for all

finding ways to bring the hurting to healing

and fearless in the face of ridicule and walls. Amen.

Feast of Samson Occom

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

Today we celebrate Samson Occum, Mohegan, and Presbyterian minister. He lived from 1723 to 1792, interesting and turbulent times in this land. He was highly educated and worked tirelessly, preaching and serving many tribes and helping support his teacher Eleazar Wheelock, who had founded an Indian charity school in Lebanon, Connecticut. He traveled across Britian to raise money for Wheelock, who was founding a college for Native people. When he returned, Wheelock had moved away from Mohegan, Connecticut to New Hampshire and stopped caring for Occom's family. Wheelock took the money Occom had raised and founded Dartmouth. Despite such a betrayal, Occom continued his ministry and worked with many tribes in the Northeast. He was faithful despite countless betrayals. May we be faithful, despite betrayals and hurts in these turbulent times.

" I wou’d not have Come over like a fool as I did, Without any Countenance from our Board, but I am Will Still to be a fool for Christ Sake -- This Eleviate[s] my Heart amidst all my Burdens, and Balances all my Sorrows at Times, or enables me to bear my Trials, that I am in the way of my Duty, and the Lord uses me in any Shape to promote his Kingdom in the World…" Occom's letter from the UK to Wheelock

Loving Creator, you put your spirit in all hearts

a myriad of faithful has served you so well

despite the cruelty of racism and deep ignorance

you gave Samson Occom strength and courage.

We tend to give up in times of deep betrayal

aching to hide away within secured walls

yet you renewed his spirit and gave him great hope

in a time when his people were under attack.

Help us to be more like Samson Occom

may we study and abide in your great love

living beyond betrayals and cruel slanders

to share your love with all we meet today. Amen.

and 

Sunday, July 13th, 2025 - Proper 10

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

We live in a time when too many folks have been declared as enemies, outcasts and illegal. In Jesus' time, Samaritans were the "other", the outcast and enemy. The good, religious people pass the man by, for fear maybe, or not wanting to get involved. It is likewise in these times. It is always time to show mercy; it is always the time to see everyone as our neighbors. Yes, we live in times of conflict and great fear. Yet, the times that Jesus lived in were no less fraught and scary. Their homeland was occupied by a foreign government. The religious leaders judged everyone's behavior harshly. Jesus loved and healed people despite all of that. We are invited to be kind and loving, bringing mercy to those who no one will stop for, who others are afraid of, and who in their difference are cast aside.

                                        A Litany for Sunday July 13th, 2025

Wondrous Creator, you give us your peace

so we might spread peace and mercy here

while we live on this sacred and fragile planet.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

We have turned former friends into enemies

for they look, speak and pray differently

those you see no difference among people.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

The times are full of cruelty and judgment

yet you know we humans can do more than hate

we can love our neighbor and change our world.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by our fears

help us to shake off the fear and care for others.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

We try to hide behind our gates and our walls

but you see the need and call us to respond today.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

Make us your people again, Lord, as we venture out

carrying your love, your mercy and your justice.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise. Amen.

Prepare the Way

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

Years ago, I was asked to help prepare for an historic service to take place at Jamestown in 1997. Indigenous people from all over our church, in preparation for the 400th anniversary of the landing and settlement at Jamestown, gathered to call the church to a new way of Native ministries. Instead of mission to and for, we would focus on a ministry of Native peoples by the church remembering the past, repenting for the past and reconciling for the future. I went out to visit Chief Webster Custalow, bringing tobacco and other gifts, to ask his permission to hold this service on the traditional lands of the Mattaponi and to invite him to participate. I sat with him for hours as he regaled me with stories about his life. He was well into his eighties then. Preparation requires time to listen, to open up to new ways of understanding, and doing the hard work of making space for the surprisingly new.

Gracious Creator, you send us to prepare the way

putting your love and wonder in our hearts

giving us the strength to forge new relationships

and empowering us to carry your good news.

Often, we humans want the way prepared for us

we do not want the hard work and the challenge

wo like the familiar and the comfortable things

yet you call us to discomfort that paves the way for love.

Help us to get up and prepare your way today

let our fears and restrains fall away so love is here

make us take the small steps that can change everything

and baptize us again in your Holy name for service. Amen.

Peace Be with You

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:36-53

When Jesus offered peace, the disciples were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. From this distance, it would be easy to dismiss their fears, yet they lived in a climate of fear. They were in a locked room trying to protect themselves from arrest. They were enemies of the occupying government. They were enemies of the religious leadership. They had every right to be afraid. Although some saw Jesus on the road, the whole group hadn't, and they dismissed the women as being hysterical. Only when he ate in their presence, did they see Jesus for who he really was. He reminded them of his promise and blessed them. We find ourselves in scary times, when good people are being rounded up and greed rules the land. It is easy for us in our fear and anger, to miss seeing Jesus, to miss the promises and the blessings. May we remind ourselves of his promises and be agents of his blessing.

Loving Savior, you suffered so we might live

you know the trials of those arrested and in prison

you understand the life of those falsely accused

and you bring blessings despite horrid human behavior.

Our time is one of distrust, greed and slander

we hear our leaders call good people horrible things

so may are unsafe because of their skin color

their language and orientation make them suspect.

Let us leave our locked rooms and safe havens

so we might receive the blessings of the spirit

give us eyes to see you here in these hard times

so we might share your love with an aching world. Amen.