Fifth Sunday in Lent March 22, 2026

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. John 11:1-45

The loss of a love one is always hard. People respond in many different ways to great loss. Martha was probably pretty angry when she saw Jesus coming and wondered why he hadn’t done something sooner. Mary, like her sister, complained to Jesus that her brother could’ve lived if Jesus came. The religious leaders standing by mocked Jesus. All of them were in deep grief, as was Jesus. He stood by the grave with his friends and enemies alike and wept for the loss of Lazarus. No matter how we feel about a particular person, our grief manifested itself in many ways. Jesus did something then that nobody there expected, he called Lazarus from the tomb. Even more surprising Lazarus came out of the tomb. We are invited today to understand that Jesus is weeping with us in our grief and promising new life, even on the edge of death and beyond.

Loving Creator, you are with us at the edge of death

Bringing new songs of Hope of love end of new life.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

We are often unwilling to look again and roll away the stone

We failed to unbind those who are suffering in pain and loss.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

You promise us that there is life beyond this fractured time

And give us the example of Lazarus and your empty tomb.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

We do not often see the bindings we have placed on others

And we suffer alone in our deep loss and great grief.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

Lift us, Lord, from the sufferings of our day and time

And fill us with compassion for those who are deeply grieved.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

Give us the faith to trust in your promises and your word

That we have eternal life and can be healed even now.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia. Amen.

Changed

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

We will all be one day changed. Early on in my ministry, I lost my sister. As I entered her hospital room in Florida, I saw her in her full beauty. I flew in from Baltimore and was anxious about what I’d see. She was a beautiful woman, and I didn’t want to witness devastation. Lying on her hospital bed between my parents who stood next to her, she seemed to almost glow. In that moment, I knew a little bit about the disciples experience. They witnessed the fullness of Jesus in relationship to his creator and time. What’s a witness gave them hope for the days ahead. As Jesus turned his face to Jerusalem, They could remember that experience and have hope. Today let us remember those moments that allowed us to see the fullness of God’s beauty and glory.

Eternal creator, your glory fills the sky

You write your love with each sunrise and sunset

We see your majesty in the faces we love.

Many of our days can seem dark and hopeless

Loss and pain can hide your glory from us

And we failed to be grateful for the love in our lives.

Lord Jesus, help us to know we are in your hands every moment

Help us to live with a joy of your eternity and faithfulness

And make us fearless in times of great fear and great sorrow.

Take Up Your Cross

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.’ 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 8:27-9:1

We love talking about taking up our cross and following Jesus. Yet, we adorn ourselves with crosses on our necks and ears, but refuse to take on real burdens and give us much of anything. We are fickle and scared like Peter, unable to live a life of true sacrifice and service. We like our comforts too much. I know I do.Yet, we are called to live a sacrificial life meaning one that we give up our idea of how it should be, give up control and let God‘s Holy Spirit dwell deeply in us. It is hard to give up the driver seat, the place of authority, and what we know best to enter a humble place of unknowing. 

Gracious Creator, you give us free well to choose our path

Promising to bring us light and love in all places

And calling us to live humbly before you and in the world.

We spend our lives building, wealth and education

Reveling in our authority, power and respect

So that they become are complete vulnerability.

Help us, Lord to take up our cross and follow you

To the places where your light has been dimmed

Being humble and serving the needs of others. Amen.

Like Trees Walking

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?’ 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. Mark 8:11-26

We often miss the signs of God’s love around us. We fail to see and know the goodness we have received. We are too often like the Pharisees. We like our routines so much we can be blind to blessings right in front of us. Prior to this tender healing of the blind man, the disciples had been acting like they were blind, deaf and forgetful, not recalling the many miracles they witnessed when they were hungry. Too often, pain takes over when we are hungry, anxious and judgmental. Recalling the blessings in our lives, and expressing our gratitude for them opens our eyes, minds and hearts to see new blessings.

Abundant Creator, you fill the word with blessings

Green life reappearing from cold, frozen ground

And Fearful hearts and minds free to love again.

We are full of fear and doubt these cold days

Feeling that we have been left on our own

Forgetting to trust in your love and mercy.

Help us today to see the miracles around us

Open our hearts with gratitude and forgiveness 

And let your people come alive once again. Amen.

St. Patrick's Day

In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They said, ‘Seven.’ Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10

I will be traveling to the House of Bishop on March 17th the feast day of St. Patrick. Below is information to help understand what a gift he was.

Patrick was born about 390, in southwest Britain, somewhere between the Severn and the Clyde rivers, son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When about sixteen years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. Until this time, he had, by his own account, cared nothing for God, but now he turned to God for help. After six years, he either escaped or was freed, made his way to a port 200 miles away, and there persuaded some sailors to take him onto their ship. He returned to his family much changed, and began to prepare for the priesthood, and to study the Bible. Around 435, Patrick was commissioned, perhaps by bishops in Gaul and perhaps by the Pope, to go to Ireland as a bishop and missionary.  Patrick made his headquarters at Armagh in the North, where he built a school, and had the protection of the local monarch. From this base he made extensive missionary journeys, with considerable success. To say that he single-handedly turned Ireland from a pagan to a Christian country is an exaggeration, but is not far from the truth. 

Almost everything we know about him comes from his own writings, available in English in the Ancient Christian Writers series. He has left us an autobiography (called the Confessio), a Letter to Coroticus in which he denounces the slave trade and rebukes the British chieftain Coroticus for taking part in it, and the Lorica (or "Breastplate" a poem of disputed authorship traditionally attributed to Patrick), a work that has been called "part prayer, part anthem, and part incantation." The Lorica is a truly magnificent hymn, found today in many hymnals. (First two stanzas below)

   I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. 

   I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; his baptism in the Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spiced tomb; 
      his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom:  I bind unto myself today. 

Be Opened

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

Again, a wonderful scene where Jesus is confronted by a fierce and determined mother. Jesus has welcomed women, crossed all sorts of barriers yet he pushed back on this frantic mother, a Gentile. She blows back with the most wonderful response, which seems to delight Jesus. She is open to his healing because her heart is torn open by love for her child. The man who was deaf found Jesus who said "be opened." Whether physical, emotional and spiritual, we are called to be open to new healing, new possibilities and the surprising and wondrous acts of God.

Wondrous Creator, you open hearts locked down

you renew and heal the earth we have ruptured

and you send the spring rains to remind us to hope.

We are closed down, sad and totally overwhelmed

the world seems wobbly and spinning off her axis

and we are hunkered down because of our fear.

Melt our hearts with your radiant loving light

help us to open our hearts again to your love

and open our eyes to see those needing love and care. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 15, 2026

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” John 9:1-41

I have often prayed "Lord, open my eyes, open my heart, so I may see where you are leading." As a mother of three entering ministry, my most common prayer was "Lord Jesus, HELP!" And entering the ministry of bishop and the many challenges faced, that common prayer was sometimes all I could utter. The disciples assumed that someone had sinned to make the man blind. We too, often judge people as deserving of pain, deserving to beg, when we see the visible limitations. We often judge ourselves as well. Yet, Jesus saw no sin, but God's light, possibility and glory. Jesus chose to make mud with his own spit and rubbing it on the man's eyes was an act of great intimacy. The religious leaders stood around arguing theology. Jesus loved the man, healed him and showed the world a small vision of God's works. The conversation did not obscure the tenderness and compassion of Jesus. Let us work in the light while we have it and bring the help and healing others need in this broken world.

Wondrous Creator, source of light and renewal

you turn the earth so we might grow in love again.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love.

Darkness comes too soon we let it overwhelm us

we are fearful that we are far from your love and light.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love.

War has broken out and others are judged as evil

while we refuse to care for those in our communities.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love.

Precious Savior, you healed the man born blind

and offer us healing and renewal every day.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love.

Lift us from our fear and make us strong again

help us to serve the world in your loving name.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love.

Give us sight and touch our hearts with your love

so we might be filled with your tender compassion.

Precious Savior, help us to work here with the light of your love. Amen.

Straining at the Oars

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

These days I feel like I've been straining at the oars, pulling with all my weight and getting nowhere.  Whether it's the war on Iran or personal and physical challenges, it feels like I been standing still despite pulling so hard. Many of us feel this way I'm sure, and this tough winter has only added to the feeling. The winds are high and the seas are rough. The good news today is that Jesus sees us in the storms and sends calm and peace. Our exhaustion, frustrations and fears are known and compassion and healing are underway. I take courage from that today.

Gracious Creator, you give us strength in storms

the ability to persist and have faith in the dark

and promise new calm and healing on our journey.

When we feel strained and lost in the deep night

we feel fearful and abandoned, overcome with anger

yet you come our direction, carrying calm and hope.

Help us to see you now on the horizon amidst storms

and readily accept the renewing love you bring us

so we might journey on, sharing your love and peace. Amen.

Abundance

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 wonderful story of the feeding of the five thousand (men), is a powerful story for our times. We are just coming out of winter and there is a war going on, so we often move to a scarcity model of life. We make sure we have what we need. The disciples came to Jesus with a scarcity mindset, asking that he send them away. Instead, he asked them to find food, which they did, a child's offering that become enough for all with a huge amount of leftovers. As Indigenous people, we know that abundance comes through gratitude and offering and a willingness to place our trust in the divine and to care for the earth that so generously provide the bounty. We are invited today to live with abundance and faithfulness in these times when fear and scarcity rule the day.

Wondrous Creator, you provide for all our needs

sending snow and rains so to water the earth

and light to warm our lives for great abundance.

When we are afraid as now, we close ourselves in

reluctant to share from the limited bounties we have

and fearful of those who might take from us.

Lord Jesus, fill is with great hope and generosity

making us carriers of your abundance and love

and make us grateful for what we can share here. Amen.

Dangerous Dance

They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Mark 6:13-29 

Long before there was Michael Jackson's famous Dangerous Dance there was an even more dangerous dance in a palace. Herodias danced for her father and pleased him so much he promised to give her anything. She asked her mother, who hated the truth-telling that John had spread. John was already in prison but lost his head that night because of a queen's rage and fury at his honesty. From all accounts, this is a story of a child being used by a parent. The child was being rewarded, and the mother took her gift and turned it into murder. John lived gently off the earth and was a truth teller. Folks like John often get the brunt of powerful people's anger, even today. May we remember to be those who both tell the truth and unwilling to put our agenda before the needs of the children.

Wondrous Creator, the fount from which beauty flows

who gives artists inspiration and singers sweet voices

and children the desire to do their very best for parents.

Too often we take the rewards from the most innocent

wanting prizes and rewards that we do not deserve

and bury the truth in more and more lies and coverups.

Help us to be as faithful and honest as John the Baptist

and innocent, compassionate and caring as children

so the world might see your loving spirit with us now. Amen.

Hometown Blues

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So, they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:1-13

My real hometown was a rundown seaside, end of the line, kind of place. Once a majestic, Victorian religious retreat, it had become unfashionable and overlooked. Now, it has again become a wealthy, fashionable enclave, so very few of the former residents can afford to live. Our 1820s former federal-style home was torn down and replaced. The floorboards have become the floorboards in the local Harriet Tubman museum (today is her feast day) so I occasionally go and stand barefoot on our former floors. Our house was reported to have been on the underground railroad. Many of the homes we all have had are gone and we can't return to them. Jesus couldn't do much good in his hometown. Yet he quickly turned his frustration and grief into teaching and empowering his disciples for ministry. We are reminded today to shake the dust off and do what we can do, to those who will receive us.

Loving Creator, you formed us from the dust

making a magnificent multi-cultural world

and you breathe your life into each of us.

We live in a divided and troubled world

some hometowns are being destroyed 

and we want so badly to return to them.

Help us continue on the journey you made

leaving hometowns and comforts behind

and trusting completely in your healing love. Amen.

Beloved 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

Yesterday was International Women's Day which often goes by without any notice compared to International Donut Day and the like. In following the ministry of Jesus, we cannot miss his absolute care and respect for women of all ages. He celebrates the faith of the woman who touched him and did not hesitate to heal the little girl. In many cultures, girls are expendable, seen as lesser beings than their brothers. Still today, the property is inherited by the first-born male in the family. The terrible abuse of young girls making headlines is not of God. The living son of God, walking among us, honored and respected women. May we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and respect everyone.

Wondrous Creator, you made us in great diversity

cultures and colors, genders and many languages

you call us beloved and have made us one family.

Some people need to lord their power over others

crushing the spirits of those who are truly beloved

and forgetting who Jesus honored in his ministry.

Lord, make us honor the gifts of everyone today

respecting the beauty of your beloved creation

and working to heal the many broken relationships. Amen.

Third Sunday in Lent - March 8,2026

Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” John 4:5-42

The story of the woman at the well is central to everything we understand about the love of God. She is so important that the Eastern church celebrates her as a saint and says she was baptized by one of the apostles and named Photini, which means luminous one. She modeled for us a faith that is genuinely curious, openly honest about our failings, and always ready to share the joy and love we have received. 

She comes from a despised people and yet Jesus sat with her as an equal. She was a "fallen" woman, but he treated her with dignity and respect. She admits to her many mistakes and welcomes Jesus into her community. The love of God sits with the outcast and despised, and treats all others with dignity and respect, and any other cruel, dismissive behaviors are not of God. God's love helps us to step over boundaries, speak and share with enemies and treat everyone with justice, dignity and respect. Photini is a model for our faith, which is honest, curious, humble and sharing.

Wondrous Creator, who provides all our needs

and you make us one family, one people all together.

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest and humble today.

These times are divisive and degrading

war forcing many to flee their homelands.

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest and humble today.

You call us to be curious, honest and respectful

even as our world loses sight of real respect.

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest, and humble today.

We are quick to judge, and ready to dismiss

although we are called to welcome and humility.

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest and humble today.

Help us, Lord, to admit to all our failings

turning to you for the direction we need now.

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest and humble today.

Give us, dear Savior, your living water 

so love and forgiveness might flow through us again. 

Lord Jesus, please make us curious, honest and humble today. Amen.

Asleep on a Cushion

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

Mark portrays some of the more human aspects of Jesus' life. His going home and falling asleep in a boat are just two. He was at home on the water and the rocking brought sleep on easily after the press of the crowd. He was human and exhausted. We all know that experience. And we know the panic that the disciples felt when the boat was swamping, and they thought they were going down. It can feel as if Jesus is asleep when are lives are crashing, sinking and swallowed up by the storm. We are invited to remember that Jesus did more than just wake up and help. Jesus took control of the wind and the waves, bringing peace and calm to the scared disciples. It can feel as if Jesus is asleep when we are sinking. May we trust that peace and calm are on the horizon. 

Gracious Creator, we are living in this fragile vessel

the seas are rough and gale force winds attack us

but you, Lord of love, abide with us, in these storms.

We are torn apart by the fears of sinking and drowning

bills are due and we never have enough and are broken

help us, Lord, to turn to you when we are most alone.

Lord Jesus, help us to wake up to the needs around us

let the love you've given help us to live in peace

and may we trust you are with us in all our storms. Amen.

Come to Light

He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’ He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:21-34

Jesus spoke in stories so that we can understand the reign of God. Our Creator makes the crops to grow, the smallest seed able to produce the largest trees and all hidden come to light. We have lived through a long winter and a season when truth has been hidden under many false narratives and a great deal of bluster. We are told it will all come to light and indeed that is the will of God. The abundance is not manmade, but corruption is, the belief that the powerful can get away with whatever they want. For those of us who are despairing in these times, we can take heart that our Creator's will and action is to reveal truth, to shed light on the hidden deeds.

Wondrous Creator, you send light into the world

so that we might plant and sow our tender crops

and so we might carry your love light with us.

There seems to be so much corruption and abuse 

violence covered up with dismissive remarks

and the most vulnerable are crushed under here.

Help us Lord to be bearers of light and truth

so our actions might show our faithfulness

and our hearts might radiate your love here. Amen.

Sowing Seeds

Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that “they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” ’ And he said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ Mark 4:1-20

This time of year, my hands are itchy and my searches are all about seeds, plants, and the garden to come. Snow is piled high and we had another storm last night. Today will be warm but the rest of the days this week will not. It will be some time before we can get planting, let alone sowing and germinating the seeds. We can only dream and plan at this time. It does remind me that our lives are seasons, times for growing, harvesting and waiting as well. I don't much like waiting, but it is this season, and, this season allows our hearts and minds, clarity and conviction. Jesus knew how easily we humans lose track of the goal to love and bear fruit. It takes so much work and dedication. And in the winter, waiting times, we have the opportunity to prepare our souls for the deep spiritual work of bearing fruit.

Wondrous Creator, you give us the four seasons

times for planting, harvesting and times of waiting

so we might come full circle to seek your love.

We often turn away when the season is harsh

we believe the snow or rain will rule us always

and we forget that you are preparing new life.

Help us to be ready to plant and tend once again

make our hearts gentle and pliable as warm soil

so we might grow and bear the fruits of your love. Amen.

A House Divided

And the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. ‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’ Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’ Mark 3:20-35 

When Jesus talks about a house divided, he is not talking about liking opposing ball teams or even difference in politics. We live in an era of divisive politics and a brand-new war. We live in a time when people take sides and can be violent to those who oppose them. Jesus was at home and even his family did not know how to deal with the explosion of his ministry. Imagine, he had just gone home to rest and thousands of people show up in town, along with religious leaders all the way from Jerusalem, and he cannot get the rest he needs, so his family is trying to protect him. A complicated moment. Jesus to the astonishment of all, calls the whole gathering one house, one family if they follow God. We are one family, no matter how others would divide us.

Gracious and Loving Creator, we are your family

every size, color, language, place and tradition

we are yours, despite of human divisions and frailties.

We find ourselves in the throes of war and terror

we are pulled from side to side without a center

yet you give us the center as we live in your will.

Lord, help us to know you will in this fragile time

may we be agents of gathering and loving repair

and make us all your family again in your spirit. Amen.

Then He Went Home

Jesus departed with his disciples to the lake, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home; Mark 3:7-19

In today's Gospel we see Jesus appointing his twelve apostles. He had done much healing and is being pursued by ever growing crowds. The disciples readied a boat to prevent the crowd from crushing Jesus. Once he appointed his disciples, giving them out to proclaim and cast out demons, he went home. Even Jesus needed a break from the press of responsibility, from the press of the crowd and from the lack of privacy and space we all need. He was exhausted and returned to his home probably in Nazareth, to rest and refresh, turning everything over to his disciples. In these days, when war is waging in his homeland and surrounding countries, may we remember that even Jesus got tired and needed time and space to rest and heal.

Gracious Creator, you place us in homes

small and large, bustling and so quiet

so that we might be restored for the days ahead.

We have watched bombs hit their targets

and leaders proclaim great victories

yet there are innocent victims everywhere.

Help us to take the time we need to rest

so that we might have the strength to love

and to be safe home to those aching today. Amen.