tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59248815477054504332024-03-18T10:07:00.586-04:00mamabishopCreative and encouraging reflection and conversation about life, family, faith and laughter.
I offer these reflections and prayers as an invitation for us all to pray in these times. May we pray for one another and for the whole world together.mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.comBlogger5168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-14554859439351776702024-03-18T09:37:00.003-04:002024-03-18T09:37:26.336-04:00Servant of All<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW5HnRWxTaq3TgFh-_zGCLXMGpWI-Ai6Vwjge-Ld3CWt9eoCH3Eq1mU1IHrvf_VczqquaGLhtdku0omifOSTd7r8sUjXd-5MJtEReF9qpwm6ghgMy-Uf6oa5ayOemBiwkx8e3glBpPPh1TWBR8JKD6K6ao7s3C9Mj39mBs0EBop-pDOC0K4Omxg3GwWg0/s1550/servant3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1550" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhW5HnRWxTaq3TgFh-_zGCLXMGpWI-Ai6Vwjge-Ld3CWt9eoCH3Eq1mU1IHrvf_VczqquaGLhtdku0omifOSTd7r8sUjXd-5MJtEReF9qpwm6ghgMy-Uf6oa5ayOemBiwkx8e3glBpPPh1TWBR8JKD6K6ao7s3C9Mj39mBs0EBop-pDOC0K4Omxg3GwWg0/w400-h266/servant3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. Mark 9:30-41</i><div><br /></div><div>We live in a society where winning is prized above all, and those who scheme and manipulate seem to get our respect and admiration. As soon as there is an opening in an organization, folks start scheming and plotting about how they can take power for themselves. We find the disciples arguing and scheming as they walked along. Jesus called them to be servants and to serve the most vulnerable. We are called to do likewise. Getting our way is not God's way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gracious Creator, source of all goodness</div><div>you put us on this earth to learn to serve</div><div>knowing as we serve we are truly blessed</div><div>as we care for the least we find great honor.</div><div><br /></div><div>The world is in turmoil and pain around us</div><div>we have forgotten to serve and take up arms</div><div>you remind us today that love is our weapon</div><div>a gift we can increase as we share your love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let us be those who joyfully serve others</div><div>who seek out the most vulnerable to care for</div><div>bless us with your compassion and tenderness</div><div>so our service might bring forth true blessings. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-48168452436517408732024-03-16T17:33:00.004-04:002024-03-16T17:33:26.497-04:00Fifth Sunday in Lent 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxFHuDr6ivrFYZ6GHVH_vGwz-tqCxo8sPLCKaoziZC5bpJR24GQuc3EqZRPpDwIcpQ16OBqSzaqfyariHZHawIi5vYlEsvrU0BfYItz0MFpSOW37WhV4pyEKH0e49UWhSTuHLqO2lU4QNNSbzC3ptIe-xjx3L-q_0VPdFRfQE1NN27LKD19AFC8aTRgFC/s1024/6.19.22.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxFHuDr6ivrFYZ6GHVH_vGwz-tqCxo8sPLCKaoziZC5bpJR24GQuc3EqZRPpDwIcpQ16OBqSzaqfyariHZHawIi5vYlEsvrU0BfYItz0MFpSOW37WhV4pyEKH0e49UWhSTuHLqO2lU4QNNSbzC3ptIe-xjx3L-q_0VPdFRfQE1NN27LKD19AFC8aTRgFC/w281-h400/6.19.22.4.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Fifth Sunday in Lent 2024</b></h3><br /><i>Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. John 12:20-33</i><div><br /></div><div>Our diocese is in a time of transition, and with the list of nominees posted, the anxious conversations have begun. A new era is coming, and we can hope and imagine and wonderful new time ahead. And we can worry and fret for what is to come. The disciples find themselves in a time of transition, as Jesus is telling them of what is to come in the very near future. They hear a voice from heaven which may have comforted them, or it may have scared them. We are all often swinging between our fears and desolation and God's consoling love. In the midst of strangers coming and wanting to see Jesus, he reminds them all that they must be servant, dying to self like a grain of wheat dies. I imagine it wasn't comfort in that moment, but looking back, became an icon of hope to hold onto.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Litany for the Fifth Sunday in Lent</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Loving Creator, you have molded and shaped us</div><div>you love has been our starlight and our guide</div><div>we are never outside of your loving embrace</div><div>and you seek us out in every time and season.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Our lives are changing, our world changes around us</div><div>we struggle to learn new systems and cultures</div><div>we let fear and discomfort lead us away from you</div><div>and we let our hurt and anger fester around us.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Your love is our consolation and our strength</div><div>through every change of life you abide with us</div><div>when we are afraid and darkness overwhelms us</div><div>your words breathe new life into our trembling hearts.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lift us up, Lord, when all comfort is gone away</div><div>surround us, when the world has left us behind.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Make us those who can see and respond to suffering</div><div>give us your humble heart so we might serve.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For you are the beginning, the end and the in between</div><div>and in all times and places your love is with us.</div><div><b><i>Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times. Amen.</i></b></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-30782146347668696392024-03-13T18:45:00.001-04:002024-03-13T18:45:27.848-04:00Take Up Your Cross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNnO_p14StCutJLYl5ZCLyx8ulA-uVS-uBjxvVoCEKMmaxEOL3x5FFLliziVD8dVYplh_EuYMYqKUJtl1lCX0jKCc_jxA3CS4RpbFX-vGWL-U-75PWNVZ07zcA0wW0ygdNA4veL7MwzkMaqyXfeQkedHUqSnLfUcqv_qDr7F2oaXHAhzzRinjfUccMf-4/s321/cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="233" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNnO_p14StCutJLYl5ZCLyx8ulA-uVS-uBjxvVoCEKMmaxEOL3x5FFLliziVD8dVYplh_EuYMYqKUJtl1lCX0jKCc_jxA3CS4RpbFX-vGWL-U-75PWNVZ07zcA0wW0ygdNA4veL7MwzkMaqyXfeQkedHUqSnLfUcqv_qDr7F2oaXHAhzzRinjfUccMf-4/w290-h400/cross.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>We are all human, flawed, and have many burdens to bear. Many of us, like Peter, have one moment of clarity and the next moment we are befuddled and stick both feet in our mouth. We are reminded that we all have a cross to bear, and we all are called to follow. Many of our fellow followers have hidden crosses, weights and pains we cannot see. Many of us struggle to put down our ego needs and our desire for respect and acknowledgement. Not putting down can cause us to stop following. May we all have the grace to take up our crosses and follow now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wondrous Creator, you have walked with us</div><div>through storms and trials you have led us</div><div>we have fallen down and you have picked us up</div><div>and you promise to lead us to green pastures.</div><div><br /></div><div>Too often we stumble due to our egos and greed</div><div>we want to be the star and cannot pay the price</div><div>we refuse to bear one another's heavy burdens</div><div>often placing our burdens on those weighed down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to be humble and ready for following you</div><div>make us bear our crosses with hope and compassion</div><div>knowing that you have carried us all along</div><div>and will bring us to our everlasting home with you. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-2725449317496444562024-03-13T08:59:00.002-04:002024-03-13T08:59:53.036-04:00The Other Side<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTznPCcM3VjmZjM9N32Y8qORF_XUoeTZDQEGg_dF3LPwxmq803tiPvRoX6G20NI-Mqx1Py1tk9cQnroEeVrcG-PL7fx2DYTK3-Jp42sWL2eHaMcDBioiZRbnlh2nufppjfqwOb0efhSJyhUNFJ9zDpvXb24vENvD3QR5GuNrtpudgn-BN1Ctnvnv8eOl5z/s474/otherside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTznPCcM3VjmZjM9N32Y8qORF_XUoeTZDQEGg_dF3LPwxmq803tiPvRoX6G20NI-Mqx1Py1tk9cQnroEeVrcG-PL7fx2DYTK3-Jp42sWL2eHaMcDBioiZRbnlh2nufppjfqwOb0efhSJyhUNFJ9zDpvXb24vENvD3QR5GuNrtpudgn-BN1Ctnvnv8eOl5z/w400-h213/otherside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes we just need to get away from the critics and the noise. And, sometimes we need to move away from where we are now to put things in perspective. When the disciples got in the boat with Jesus, they were able to talk about their lack and learn from him about having faith. Many times, when our faith is tested, we feel very much alone. Yet when we look back, when we give ourselves some distance, we can see the healing and the presence of the living God. Despite our frail and broken humanity, God is with us in our lack, in our storms and when we are overwhelmed with doubt and pain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Great Creator, you are present always</div><div>in the mist that forms early in the morning</div><div>in the orange glows at the end of the day</div><div>and with us in our sorrow and our grief.</div><div><br /></div><div>We can feel alone and totally forgotten</div><div>we lose our faith when the critics rise up</div><div>yet you never give up on us in hard times</div><div>and are always ready to take us to another shore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord Jesus, restore our faith and our trust</div><div>we need your strength more and more</div><div>give us the sustenance today to face tomorrow</div><div>and help us as we journey closer to you. Amen.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-63557775913363013922024-03-11T14:47:00.006-04:002024-03-11T14:47:55.692-04:00Filled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQbR03Q9dF39xSPlaKawnB8ZVDd9oDhPuXoTjYO7d0zMATbWMRXJnaeBdz2ZPgKgV3uebJfX_B7WUC7-kaewBywG19AxYHbZXR1SZOItZL_00kov1lPtA25KZLgpIquJhIVqKlqPyy9zSkRlYAMlOKT8qosGQc_ApRSVy5XYsg0ZLyjFNYFANfshn5ka7/s1018/fishloaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1018" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQbR03Q9dF39xSPlaKawnB8ZVDd9oDhPuXoTjYO7d0zMATbWMRXJnaeBdz2ZPgKgV3uebJfX_B7WUC7-kaewBywG19AxYHbZXR1SZOItZL_00kov1lPtA25KZLgpIquJhIVqKlqPyy9zSkRlYAMlOKT8qosGQc_ApRSVy5XYsg0ZLyjFNYFANfshn5ka7/w400-h224/fishloaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>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><div><br /></div><div>We live in a country where there is plenty of food. We also live in a country where some people are starving, and many are food insecure. Some of us have our fill and them some every day, while other people scrape up what others tossed away. Jesus had great compassion for the hungry crowd. Some of them may have not planned ahead but had enough to buy food, while others came emptyhanded. To all of them, he gave food. And to all of us, he continues to provide the sustenance we need. We are invited to share what we have do others can be filled.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gracious Creator, you draped our earth with fields</div><div>made it so these could produce great harvests</div><div>and you stocked the river with abundant fish</div><div>giving us your strength and feeding us all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some hoard and pile up many resources</div><div>some have limited way to feed themselves</div><div>others go hungry so their children can live</div><div>even though you give us enough for all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord, help us to gather up and share</div><div>your bounty is miraculous and wondrous</div><div>make us grateful for your many blessings</div><div>and help us be blessings to our neighbors. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-4307408855986329712024-03-11T11:55:00.006-04:002024-03-11T11:55:54.770-04:00Even the Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr9q8rUK8QRAYp0U_9NeEW8TL-gtdMzV8k9joJ7BeglFj9TkDyv-eadHeyZsVLpPmDI9X2VblexAto3QiIQf_gqv_VLZZA1tmVuUdeAIjjzAfXML6J-T91XWbTxnwx1-2eFjcDU6zPPNJ4jhUaF-oyVJLk_cHlr3l6aXXe3_iuwsdul9ttsmmiww7140T/s600/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr9q8rUK8QRAYp0U_9NeEW8TL-gtdMzV8k9joJ7BeglFj9TkDyv-eadHeyZsVLpPmDI9X2VblexAto3QiIQf_gqv_VLZZA1tmVuUdeAIjjzAfXML6J-T91XWbTxnwx1-2eFjcDU6zPPNJ4jhUaF-oyVJLk_cHlr3l6aXXe3_iuwsdul9ttsmmiww7140T/w341-h400/dog.jpg" width="341" /></i></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>A mother. We will do anything to help make our children get better. All parents and partners ache for the ones we love to get well. This one mother confronts Jesus, and although she was a gentile and a foreigner, she got her love and concern across. Nothing would keep her from the care and healing of her child. Jesus sees in her that fierce love that comes from God and which is embedded in all of us. And we can speak to Jesus as she did, since, because of her, we now know we are all be welcomed to the love and healing of our Creator. She broke the barriers, shuttled the assumptions and opened the way for all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Creating God, you are the source of all love</div><div>you are the one who brings us healing </div><div>you touch our hearts and touch our eyes</div><div>so that we might see and hear you anew.</div><div><br /></div><div>We often put limits on love and inclusion</div><div>though you crossed all lines and borders</div><div>shattering assumptions about God's chosen</div><div>calling all creation as your dearly beloved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to live as your offspring today </div><div>let our prayers be fervent and always hopeful</div><div>make us those who sing your love and praise</div><div>as we serve the ones who need you the most. Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-64162734238696056842024-03-09T20:32:00.002-05:002024-03-09T20:32:16.962-05:00Fourth Sunday in Lent 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzhBOuuRZOGh5yquz5kbdO4IujDOoZTmEW_hQ4qrFyWz5NadsxNTckGkvFBAt4e1lsfehoPrrT2DXh7TL6vmXftHCTuPZc13ifbfHcef5yNsltLiL3f9Vlerh54UnqwXi8imOB6SeZw1Z_T_LXEe2B0uLxbpKrz9DiNrdc9XhTOGnahsGs7SAGwCs1VDR/s480/daylight3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="480" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzhBOuuRZOGh5yquz5kbdO4IujDOoZTmEW_hQ4qrFyWz5NadsxNTckGkvFBAt4e1lsfehoPrrT2DXh7TL6vmXftHCTuPZc13ifbfHcef5yNsltLiL3f9Vlerh54UnqwXi8imOB6SeZw1Z_T_LXEe2B0uLxbpKrz9DiNrdc9XhTOGnahsGs7SAGwCs1VDR/w400-h354/daylight3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Fourth Sunday in Lent</span></h3><i>Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:14-21</i><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes we cannot face the light, whether it is from shame or fear of scrutiny. Some of us, even when we are really working at being faithful can slip into negative behavior and attitudes. Sometimes life is just a struggle, and we have to admit that. We are human, prone to selfishness and greed, and we often fail ourselves and others. To all the broken places and people, John's Gospel today reminds us that "God so loved the world." Our Creator noticed our suffering and our pain and sent Jesus for our healing and redemption. We can hold our heads up, in the light of day, knowing we are all broken and all loved by God so much.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Litany for the Fourth Sunday in Lent</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Wonderful Creator, your love for us is endless</div><div>from sea to shore over mountains and deep beneath</div><div>you love us in our incomplete and broken selves</div><div>and you sent Jesus to bring us your loving light.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We scurry like frightened insects at your presence</div><div>fearing your anger and not seeing your love</div><div>we judge others for their mistakes and failures</div><div>and hide our own believing you cannot see them.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This Lenten season break open our hearts again</div><div>let you light warm us and move us to compassion</div><div>help us to rise from the messes we have created</div><div>and open our eyes to see your love coming to us.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We are always stumbling and falling down</div><div>lift us up so we might serve the whole world.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We try to hide our mistakes and cruelty</div><div>help us to move into the light of your healing love.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For you have sent us a Son to redeem the world</div><div>and we need that light and love now and always.</div><div><b><i>Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light. Amen.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-27015842078207500352024-03-08T09:48:00.001-05:002024-03-08T09:48:17.258-05:00Take Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hlxCdZV0Cq7UfyJJSLUWtlZIRGCjVF2AekRlO4cZVgne2d9j2A1nXOOSlYUlNpa0c2Bv2axuxn1vJNNa_kJelo3UV0XYYpJImnQJvjjMpsPiYqMn3BqZlV9jMxeEaJYwlIBWLxBJiRUNzliIpmf_jzGQ8RdS2CLw5jn_ka0O655XFj-1k52AmyUYc7sV/s474/rowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hlxCdZV0Cq7UfyJJSLUWtlZIRGCjVF2AekRlO4cZVgne2d9j2A1nXOOSlYUlNpa0c2Bv2axuxn1vJNNa_kJelo3UV0XYYpJImnQJvjjMpsPiYqMn3BqZlV9jMxeEaJYwlIBWLxBJiRUNzliIpmf_jzGQ8RdS2CLw5jn_ka0O655XFj-1k52AmyUYc7sV/w400-h266/rowing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>I was not able to write my blog yesterday, as I got up early to join a pilgrimage to the Pocasset Wampanoag lands with several tribal leaders. More than eighty people from more than twenty parishes traveled together. We heard about the terrible times the tribe has paces, the rough seas and the winds of change. And standing with them yesterday, I also felt great hope and saw tremendous perseverance. I learned again from them that rough seas and strong winds face all of us at different times. Yet in the midst of our worst times, when our strength is giving out, Jesus comes walking on the water to bring us peace and calm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gracious Creator, you are in the storms</div><div>you are with us when the winds rise</div><div>when the seas are stirred up and pounding</div><div>and when we feel our strength is giving out.</div><div><br /></div><div>We often fail to see you when frightened</div><div>we think we are perishing in the storm</div><div>we have put our trust in ourselves alone</div><div>yet you are always coming towards us all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus, help us to trust that you are always near</div><div>help us to see your face in our great storms</div><div>help us to hear your voice above the winds</div><div>and restore our strength so we can love in your name. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-13650891189797341612024-03-06T10:49:00.001-05:002024-03-06T10:49:24.443-05:00Dangerous Dancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wxim9Z6pJYF-5CatlHcpS24Enevk8RkUbfwPywBuA32DXFpWtTwZiV2RDcM27RjtSAc4TTEejiJC3HXL8bFK5lph5p8v1gdK8O9KrH8oh0Vate3FA4o4gAYrJjCj5JPJBYVOQHTiREsJIaEUhuvqqmarANNva1QyoF2YGlVpigtv7FYtVLdStdJZVDEu/s474/dangerousdancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wxim9Z6pJYF-5CatlHcpS24Enevk8RkUbfwPywBuA32DXFpWtTwZiV2RDcM27RjtSAc4TTEejiJC3HXL8bFK5lph5p8v1gdK8O9KrH8oh0Vate3FA4o4gAYrJjCj5JPJBYVOQHTiREsJIaEUhuvqqmarANNva1QyoF2YGlVpigtv7FYtVLdStdJZVDEu/w400-h225/dangerousdancing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>Some folks will do anything to manipulate others to get their way. John the Baptist dies because a mother used her daughter to deceive her husband. She did not like the criticism she received, and wanted the threat gone. This is something that happens too often. Despots kill those who speak out against them, while those who are willing to be fair live with and respond to the criticism. We can, as leaders in the church, rid ourselves (not by death but by firing or shunning) of our critics. It is no better than Herodias' behavior. We are invited today to live with and respond to critics, living humbly and seeking a road to reconciliation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Loving Creator, you bless us so much</div><div>your bounty and compassion are endless</div><div>you make everyone in you holy image</div><div>and we often desecrate your wondrous beauty.</div><div><br /></div><div>This season of election has us fighting</div><div>trying to manipulate the vote and outcome</div><div>we seem to do anything to win the game</div><div>and let others be destroyed by our greed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord Jesus, help us to always be humble</div><div>make us those who move towards our critics</div><div>help us to seek reconciliation at all times</div><div>and make us those who are willing to lose all. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-65372889862492687492024-03-04T23:00:00.001-05:002024-03-04T23:00:10.737-05:00Sent Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq3TJfN9aVZsUEd3ypEHbzg-qd3Ka4Dgy0H8FvHgc6LoJjyLaKqMRPGEP0KCMCk2HiwKpntrWRZD7vmymuvTZaRH_rQcjqY1wNtWac-IE-1EdcThLgtYIrnMXSyRsr4iLnD6lCbps_jGCacgOSDjDDK4g-D_iDwVmdTMaLo7bf0vVmIG_p19ZFFGlN_9i/s594/twobytwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="594" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq3TJfN9aVZsUEd3ypEHbzg-qd3Ka4Dgy0H8FvHgc6LoJjyLaKqMRPGEP0KCMCk2HiwKpntrWRZD7vmymuvTZaRH_rQcjqY1wNtWac-IE-1EdcThLgtYIrnMXSyRsr4iLnD6lCbps_jGCacgOSDjDDK4g-D_iDwVmdTMaLo7bf0vVmIG_p19ZFFGlN_9i/w400-h266/twobytwo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />He left that place and came to his home town, 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</i><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow morning, we fly back to Boston after a week at the House of Bishops in Texas. It has been warm and muggy for several days here. I have been here enough times over the years to feel at home, but it is not home. I am ready to be home and among the people of Massachusetts. I am reminded that we never are sent out alone, as God always provides companions to go with us. We gather here to work together and remind one another we have companions in the ministry. Sometimes those who know us best at home might not take us seriously, but we know we are sent, and that is enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wise Creator, you send us out to serve</div><div>surrounding us with traveling companions </div><div>blessing us with your spirit and power</div><div>so the world might know your love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Too often we try to be the show's star</div><div>when it is always and ever your love</div><div>we try to go it alone and then cry out</div><div>forgetting that your presence is always near.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to rejoice in our companions on the way</div><div>those who give us shelter and give us support</div><div>those who make it possible so we might be sent</div><div>and your love which sustains us every day. Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-57230212562531325372024-03-04T00:05:00.004-05:002024-03-04T00:05:48.043-05:00Daughter, Your Faith Has Made You Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrgRKeN8uXoWXMDoeJIqoEkV23ZSZ9FYKbLTvgFneaAsh01QIRrPfvR4QEZ70lOaC1c97r84_gK87FhShhxL8I7jjWKgS75uzyH_R-EJnDi_gd3jX6s4hGWjYt5PlwpFWvCw8BegX1BiSlvb3Tj1ywnAGymFh617UJTkJUAecDoEx7eVJEP1vkPj23woM/s1000/6.27.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="734" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrgRKeN8uXoWXMDoeJIqoEkV23ZSZ9FYKbLTvgFneaAsh01QIRrPfvR4QEZ70lOaC1c97r84_gK87FhShhxL8I7jjWKgS75uzyH_R-EJnDi_gd3jX6s4hGWjYt5PlwpFWvCw8BegX1BiSlvb3Tj1ywnAGymFh617UJTkJUAecDoEx7eVJEP1vkPj23woM/w294-h400/6.27.4.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><i><br />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><div><br /></div><div>These remarkable stories of healing by Jesus touch me in a very personal way. I am a daughter and I have three daughters and I had three (now two sisters). Women are often left out of the stories from most of the bible or they are servants or caught doing foolish things. Yet Mark wants us to hear how tenderly and respectfully he treats these women, calling them by tender, familial names. He showed respect to each one when the rest of the culture did not. He laughed at the crowd who had given up on the small child and instead took her by the hand. We followers of Jesus are called to treat all people with respect and tenderness, especially those who are ignore, thought subservient or given up on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loving Creator, you love all your creation</div><div>in all our complexity and variety you made us</div><div>with unique roles, cultures, languages and tradition</div><div>you show us your beautiful face in our diversity.</div><div><br /></div><div>We do not respect those who we deem as less</div><div>we are not tender with those who are suffering</div><div>we see their need as their failure not ours</div><div>and we ignore our siblings who need our care.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to see those who are on the road with us</div><div>help us to tenderly care for all those around us</div><div>make us respect those who we used to judge</div><div>and set us free to never give up on your love. Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-72994216082242998272024-03-02T10:40:00.001-05:002024-03-02T10:40:17.354-05:00Third Sunday in Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi17MSJEnwKBSTFH2opRwCHjSmn_zd5jY2jnTAGOpbSofZ7Sh3idCp7vOznR4hAhLT6RQM_V3M18HYlIcNkkAjB_MPTy8oT81t9h6LW3iUY7srWmaaV0waOxid-aVzluw4WNuuLlYSe81QgB1Qe29fyDhnFDuR1GYUxmrHm1X6Ursc3T9LRiJ6gd_wvz4/s1200/zeal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1200" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi17MSJEnwKBSTFH2opRwCHjSmn_zd5jY2jnTAGOpbSofZ7Sh3idCp7vOznR4hAhLT6RQM_V3M18HYlIcNkkAjB_MPTy8oT81t9h6LW3iUY7srWmaaV0waOxid-aVzluw4WNuuLlYSe81QgB1Qe29fyDhnFDuR1GYUxmrHm1X6Ursc3T9LRiJ6gd_wvz4/w400-h219/zeal1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i><i><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Third Sunday in Lent 2023</span></b></i></h3><div><i>The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was
raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:13-22</i><div><br /></div><div>In this reading from John's Gospel, we find Jesus at his fiercest. Merchants were profiting from the religious and spiritual needs of the people. His outrage came from the abuse of the temple, the sacred place, and the abuse of the people trying to offer a sacrifice. It's important to note that he moved the sheep and cattle out with a whip, yet he spoke to those selling doves. Doves were the only sacrifice poor people could afford, and most dove sellers were poor themselves. Today, we find those who would profit from the spiritual needs of the poorest. I can't but imagine that it outrages Jesus even now.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Litany for the Third Sunday in Lent</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Loving Creator, you still hear our cries</div><div>you respond in the world as it wakes</div><div>you hear us as we call in the darkest night</div><div>and you sent a Son to be always among us.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed.</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>We often want to be in charge and wealthy</div><div>we scramble over others, pushing and shoving</div><div>we do not see the extreme need in front of us</div><div>and we clog your holy places with our commerce.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed.</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>We worship in ornate spaces and ignore the poor</div><div>outside our doors we pretend to not see them</div><div>there is no sacrifice we can offer, except our hearts.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed.</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>Help us to move from relational capital to real service</div><div>for you came not to be served but to serve the world.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed.</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Make us humble enough to see our selfishness</div><div>and help us rid our sacred places from all greed.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed.</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>For you came for the redemption of all humankind</div><div>help us bring down the barriers and make all welcome.</div><div><i><b>Jesus, drive far from us our selfishness and greed. Amen.</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-59244504821682597112024-03-01T00:32:00.006-05:002024-03-01T00:32:53.094-05:00Perishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BzyPxOkqCJ8lQUqfND1EBxy5D9uGritN1ZCksWRiuvH7lagB0ikZykuP8JaGihAuHDepjW0yJzqsC21UMJkGH3xf8GmgkteuOJfs5UwkyfuT1GSdS2f1_ujor__-km668eYa6wDev8_DW4JmSP6RLMZwlURuXKgJGgLo9fGAI3YUtdx5bwHjXnzve6PS/s236/stormy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="138" data-original-width="236" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BzyPxOkqCJ8lQUqfND1EBxy5D9uGritN1ZCksWRiuvH7lagB0ikZykuP8JaGihAuHDepjW0yJzqsC21UMJkGH3xf8GmgkteuOJfs5UwkyfuT1GSdS2f1_ujor__-km668eYa6wDev8_DW4JmSP6RLMZwlURuXKgJGgLo9fGAI3YUtdx5bwHjXnzve6PS/w400-h234/stormy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>While here in Texas at the House of Bishops, we gathered as a class of bishops for dinner. For 23 years we have served as bishops in a variety of places, through many challenges and storms. Five of us were together from the original twelve. We have become a community; a group of friends drawn together not by similarity by joyful in our diversity. None of our jobs have been easy and all of us have had some really rough seas. We even have thought we were perishing. We can witness for each other and the wider church that, despite the enormous circumstances that crashed into us like huge waves, Jesus has been faithful and kept us through the tumult, calming the wind and the waves that threatened us. I am so grateful for love forged in rough seas and battering winds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eternal Creator, you poured water </div><div>over the surface of our green planet</div><div>making deep oceans and small streams</div><div>and baptizing us into your community.</div><div><br /></div><div>We often fear that we are truly perishing</div><div>and we quickly lose faith in these storms</div><div>we look for someone to take the blame</div><div>when we have forgotten to trust you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us Lord to see you in every storm</div><div>let us trust that you still speak to the winds</div><div>turn us from fear to deep abiding prayer</div><div>so we might be witnesses of your ever calming love. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-26411150457718512712024-02-28T23:15:00.001-05:002024-02-28T23:15:13.389-05:00Measure for Measure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpowpH9wrYitnU1DSQ2sFwtgNhOvnJ6bsE4w1y1DIcPGybBePRpcA_LIuvPy-qFXgswMaWkgfy6NF08pVMW8qWXDO3TW-naefmTNZ-AhrqtCUEK8rVdf5TDNfu7KDNln6WTZSTcKZjqspC2sDep-Hw0qaOVxIwM2imMbYyevO-mwzu0qtcdQjbzgHFiahR/s474/measure4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpowpH9wrYitnU1DSQ2sFwtgNhOvnJ6bsE4w1y1DIcPGybBePRpcA_LIuvPy-qFXgswMaWkgfy6NF08pVMW8qWXDO3TW-naefmTNZ-AhrqtCUEK8rVdf5TDNfu7KDNln6WTZSTcKZjqspC2sDep-Hw0qaOVxIwM2imMbYyevO-mwzu0qtcdQjbzgHFiahR/s320/measure4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>To quote from Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, "virtue is bold and goodness never fearful." We are called, simply as a part of humanity, to live with goodness and virtue, focusing more on what we can give than what we can get. In life, as in so many plays and dramas, people are too often worried about what they can get and will manipulate and scheme to get their way. And yet, we are called to follow the one whose life is measured by sacrifice, by giving up so that all may live. Jesus spoke in parables, in word pictures, often, to help people see and hear the call to be more than slaves to selfishness and greed. Let us use all of our expressive gifts so that we might model a life of virtue,</div><div> goodness and service.</div><div><br /></div><div>Generous Creator, you write on our hearts</div><div>you draw the stars in the heavens above</div><div>you teach the birds to sing every morning</div><div>and teach us to praise you in serving others.</div><div><br /></div><div>We often refuse the life of service here</div><div>instead wanting to be the center of attention</div><div>seeking our gains on the backs of the poorest</div><div>forgetting your parables and your sacrifice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord, help us to measure of life in service</div><div>use our gifts to enrich those around us</div><div>give us the strength to give up our pride</div><div>so that we can bless others and be blessed by you. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-52017648876017909262024-02-27T22:41:00.001-05:002024-02-27T22:41:21.883-05:00Good Soil 2/28/24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1XzSgGAusbE4P1TTCsIjrO7gyJ4r1zCKabu88PQVJqab5DVQ-10ou40-tDV7uBtOfZKjFWMAE7ldBUhSqHKo7yJm1a76V14GNj-qymBmyLgUfB-VPCelsoPRXhcV_2vSJQpG4NamGQvavDPMj2Qd6UMF6zWIxJ9MQbG_EaHzfx3-a7fnxBcFPGwLRRQv/s800/goodsoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1XzSgGAusbE4P1TTCsIjrO7gyJ4r1zCKabu88PQVJqab5DVQ-10ou40-tDV7uBtOfZKjFWMAE7ldBUhSqHKo7yJm1a76V14GNj-qymBmyLgUfB-VPCelsoPRXhcV_2vSJQpG4NamGQvavDPMj2Qd6UMF6zWIxJ9MQbG_EaHzfx3-a7fnxBcFPGwLRRQv/w400-h266/goodsoil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>The House of Bishops is meeting in Texas this week. It was an extraordinary contrast, after leaving on a cold Boston morning to arrive in Houston where it was more than 80 degrees. As we traveled along to the meeting place, there were many fields of green, and many fields already turned over ready for planting. We only dream about planting in Massachusetts this time of year. Most cannot even begin to turn over the soil, not ready to add the compost, still in that cold frozen state. I have learned that good soil is often hard to come by and needs tender care and regular feeding. So it is for the church. Many churches and people need tender care, regular feeding along with abundant water, air and sunshine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Generous Creator, you made this earth verdant</div><div>you put plants in places they would surely grow</div><div>different species for very different climates</div><div>yet we fail to provide the climate so all may grow.</div><div><br /></div><div>We pave over too much and pour chemicals down</div><div>choking off the sacred ground, our rich Mother earth</div><div>thinking we know better and grow things faster</div><div>we have made our gardens places of great danger.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us all to repair this sacred gift of earth</div><div>make us those who are willing to mend the circle</div><div>give us your strength so we might labor on</div><div>so there is good soil for all to grow strong in you. Amen.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-40393307813440699732024-02-26T10:26:00.003-05:002024-02-26T10:26:45.523-05:00Then He Went Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemByxT1KEvynKELR7MseCD-fcTtYIvHS9vQC1QiXcSeKzK6PzGJzgcgiu4opCGpbsjVjNTJ19TugXF1APE7vMtAStEdzcYeFmI_vLM3Nr2D8Wz_BYsePN-jgpwG0FOin7YorKPhuR9sYPgNCS5k3vfiw2reIZGa4x_Q_5CwWDA3-A50fZCAXEMP5W-Q1l/s612/discipleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemByxT1KEvynKELR7MseCD-fcTtYIvHS9vQC1QiXcSeKzK6PzGJzgcgiu4opCGpbsjVjNTJ19TugXF1APE7vMtAStEdzcYeFmI_vLM3Nr2D8Wz_BYsePN-jgpwG0FOin7YorKPhuR9sYPgNCS5k3vfiw2reIZGa4x_Q_5CwWDA3-A50fZCAXEMP5W-Q1l/w400-h266/discipleship.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>Today we hear of Jesus naming the twelve disciples to help him with his ministry. The crowds pressed in on him, for everyone wanted to be made whole. Jesus called them and named them his disciples and then went home. We rarely hear what happens when Jesus goes home, yet, it is terribly important that he does. And as his followers, we too, are called to go home, to go to those places and people that revive us, give us rest and safety. The boat was always at the ready so he could go home when he was overwhelmed, exhausted and hungry. If Jesus couldn't do his best work without going home to rest, how much more should we, who are so fully human, follow our Lord's example and go home and rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gracious Creator, you made the seasons</div><div>with varying bright light and deep darkness</div><div>so we might find the rhythm of our work</div><div>so we might work hard and take our rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>We think we are strong and able to go without</div><div>believing ourselves greater than the Savior</div><div>we find out how broken we really are</div><div>as we collapse after we fail to love others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us in this season of Lent to follow you</div><div>make us humble enough to know our limits</div><div>make us faithful enough to be gentle with others</div><div>and give us your spirit so we might tend to the weary. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-42565534398796650302024-02-24T11:24:00.009-05:002024-02-24T11:26:29.257-05:00Second Sunday in Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_atvwqeUnUmD7S6qxhvM8PX7isJp2ry7RKwBNefSRbmy598GGwFMx86ypBAlfWrCuEp5_yYk-fFWtIDBAErM2B68lPNUkf-58c4VftQoBBG36Y7dHtd8V2RdPq6EsiPjd41h0hRdZH0GuCMSirSfqxjJ9Ahrdcjt8nvh2JIMJ_YKZyV3Gil0lntddHWBh/s1247/devil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1247" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_atvwqeUnUmD7S6qxhvM8PX7isJp2ry7RKwBNefSRbmy598GGwFMx86ypBAlfWrCuEp5_yYk-fFWtIDBAErM2B68lPNUkf-58c4VftQoBBG36Y7dHtd8V2RdPq6EsiPjd41h0hRdZH0GuCMSirSfqxjJ9Ahrdcjt8nvh2JIMJ_YKZyV3Gil0lntddHWBh/w400-h256/devil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Apache "Devil" dance</span></div><span> </span><div> <span> </span><span> </span> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> Second Sunday in Lent</span></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><i>Jesus began to teach his disciples 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.” Mark 8:31-38</i><div><br /></div><div>In our modern age, most people say they don't believe in Satan or the Devil. Yet, we love movies that depict evil and many adore true crime mysteries and stories about serial killers. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that there is evil in our world, no matter how we choose to describe it. We also know our own personal capacity for evil. We are often selfish and greedy, gossiping and judging, seeking the best for ourselves while we take from others. We have an invitation this Lent to take time to be aware of our broken selves, riddled with the desire to strike out and hurt. If we are honest with ourselves and offered the brokenness to God, healing will come. </div><div><br /></div><div>Precious Savior, heart of our Creator</div><div>we are fashioned from dust and the stars</div><div>we are broken yet filled with your spirit</div><div>we need your healing and direction daily.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We are willful, arrogant and often cruel</div><div>we put ourselves before the ones you love</div><div>we scheme and plot so we get our own way</div><div>yet your way id one of love and service.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Every season you call us to repent</div><div>your healing and forgiveness at hand</div><div>we resist your love and tender care for us</div><div>and then cry out to you to rescue each of us.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>Our hearts are weary from division and war</div><div>you call us to make peace with our enemies.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>We struggle to win and always be right</div><div>yet you call us to be humble and serve others.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Come Lord Jesus, heal us and make us new</div><div>implant your divine love in our hearts forever.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-45691080627859065732024-02-23T08:53:00.000-05:002024-02-23T08:53:03.007-05:00Fresh Wineskins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMieIVQLN5LUJ4TkuXM7Qwu0TjA3nFT2bl1KrOO55fH2GAivASQ-ag71p_Wvs2U84jp7YT8d0ppmCUXj0A6EJNTUscfbgZWDzdPrPOziyqMWoR9EqVwb9Jpi5T2S7G_VHz7BrtZ6rAKRgb8oq4_SczgEaSMAhyfY8UcRs2734ZJeUHK9FZ4agDj82Oneey/s1200/wineskin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMieIVQLN5LUJ4TkuXM7Qwu0TjA3nFT2bl1KrOO55fH2GAivASQ-ag71p_Wvs2U84jp7YT8d0ppmCUXj0A6EJNTUscfbgZWDzdPrPOziyqMWoR9EqVwb9Jpi5T2S7G_VHz7BrtZ6rAKRgb8oq4_SczgEaSMAhyfY8UcRs2734ZJeUHK9FZ4agDj82Oneey/w400-h266/wineskin2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>Since the worst of Covid was behind us, we all wanted to go back to the "way things were before the pandemic." And we are seeing that we truly cannot go back to the way things were since we were all changed by the experience. We cannot pretend such a powerful time in human history can be erased or forgotten. We have been remade, changed, even if we don't want to admit it. We cannot go back to all our old ways. We have to use fresh wineskins, look with fresh eyes, and follow Jesus into unknown territory. The times have changed us and the world around us. We are called to follow on a new journey, to places and with people we have not known before. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wondrous Creator, you restore all living things</div><div>you designed the seasons so we might turn</div><div>you changed the light and the wind by seasons</div><div>so that we might be refreshed and made new again.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have suffered so many loses and changes</div><div>we ache to return to a safer, more familiar world</div><div>yet that old world cannot hold us anymore</div><div>we are all changed and heading to a new world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to follow you wherever you lead us</div><div>give us faith to trust your unfolding new way</div><div>make us brave enough to let go of old ways</div><div>so we might carry your love into this new season. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-53137695096721807352024-02-22T08:48:00.000-05:002024-02-22T08:48:01.476-05:00Through the Roof<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR8IZvjoSUn8sAP2rO2p6QW1vfiDO2BTifx5iJ8o33c1CKl4OcrwFg6iZp5Ev1M_0uz7aOH7G3PS6iUCh20CkgjSa8vK_jsOTdCFm7wm6hqs6gTgS-kR92iQQUKNzr68NIJu4wdC6AvFF9H23N2WyzPU3awBppX_22nqKnnrhbukiYBKOswO-rxMQAXmL/s940/roof2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="940" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR8IZvjoSUn8sAP2rO2p6QW1vfiDO2BTifx5iJ8o33c1CKl4OcrwFg6iZp5Ev1M_0uz7aOH7G3PS6iUCh20CkgjSa8vK_jsOTdCFm7wm6hqs6gTgS-kR92iQQUKNzr68NIJu4wdC6AvFF9H23N2WyzPU3awBppX_22nqKnnrhbukiYBKOswO-rxMQAXmL/w400-h200/roof2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>No matter how often I hear or read this story, I cannot help but be moved. These were good, actually extraordinary friends, who persisted despite the huge barriers. They did not let the crowd stop them and risked the anger of the homeowner to help their friend. They knew they would also have huge repairs to do, and bills to pay. That kind of love persists despite consequences and pain. That is the love which we have been given. And, that is the love, put into action, which we are called to every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Healing Creator, you gave us your love</div><div>when we were far off and wracked by fear</div><div>when we couldn't walk and we couldn't see</div><div>your love filled us all and set us free.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we suffered in body and mind</div><div>we believe you have abandoned us</div><div>yet your love is made visible in others</div><div>the ones who break through barriers for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to see your healing love here</div><div>make us those who make your love visible</div><div>help us put your love into real action</div><div>breaking through so others might be free. Amen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-58004986011420467442024-02-21T08:52:00.001-05:002024-02-21T08:52:12.575-05:00Got Up and Served<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH3xAEkXGFKrI-XuOdaTvbDL_4c-PXtGObcxAzsg64s0q-JGEPmAxVC2X5me7_WvhN9DCWf4uCa6JR2GdpZZ0VvN5nIOvSqhWE-xd7FVDXHCKCgfjeHJmFvQFA6Wd1neNc4FK-CEV_ADyEf_ed7avv07MbavpsjDH5ah1QA7Wemun-C_KGqefxNN-KoeA/s895/serving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH3xAEkXGFKrI-XuOdaTvbDL_4c-PXtGObcxAzsg64s0q-JGEPmAxVC2X5me7_WvhN9DCWf4uCa6JR2GdpZZ0VvN5nIOvSqhWE-xd7FVDXHCKCgfjeHJmFvQFA6Wd1neNc4FK-CEV_ADyEf_ed7avv07MbavpsjDH5ah1QA7Wemun-C_KGqefxNN-KoeA/w269-h400/serving.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><i><br />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</i><div><br /></div><div>For some people, serving others is a sign of having lower status and being a member of the "serving class." In Victorian England, they were those "below stairs." People of color, poor women and immigrants were those who served and continue to serve in this country. Yet for Simon's mother-in-law, it was a sign of gratitude and great joy. She was able to serve the Lord, the one who healed her. Often times, we forget that serving others in God's name is most honorable a role. During Lent, we might just relearn the great blessings of service, by, instead of giving up, we give and serve others with joy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wondrous Creator, you sent us your servants</div><div>Jesus came as human and lived with and like us</div><div>healing and honoring the least among the people</div><div>touching the hearts and souls of all he encountered.</div><div><br /></div><div>We shun any role that would not assert our worthiness</div><div>we ignore those who serve us and treat them cruelly </div><div>believing ourselves superior we show our foolishness</div><div>and cannot find healing in our isolated, lofty places.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us, Lord, to move daily towards humility</div><div>let our lives be focused on service and tender care</div><div>make us always ready to get up and serve others</div><div>so your love is made visible in our small offerings. Amen.<br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-52387246427286682162024-02-20T12:05:00.001-05:002024-02-20T12:05:13.848-05:00Fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInTY2OaO5x2P5uGCFY-2ndop8dQ3bpeNimtzawUxgaCyOC5JKHZg4S5zbjcGzwMRsEU_fe0LvopQB02pLI2uHOBc0fvNEnUbQ_0GRKDmc9D05MOKMhcdyoW5L50B-7S9jLVNV-PVzN5Wg0A6HDQSnlfhfrRTRVLQkh4d5uFMUa2Gfv2hLKTUuRNxg8XVq/s290/fisher.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="290" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInTY2OaO5x2P5uGCFY-2ndop8dQ3bpeNimtzawUxgaCyOC5JKHZg4S5zbjcGzwMRsEU_fe0LvopQB02pLI2uHOBc0fvNEnUbQ_0GRKDmc9D05MOKMhcdyoW5L50B-7S9jLVNV-PVzN5Wg0A6HDQSnlfhfrRTRVLQkh4d5uFMUa2Gfv2hLKTUuRNxg8XVq/w400-h277/fisher.png" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:14-28</i><div><br /></div><div>The life of those who fish for a living is grueling. These days commercial fishing demands that folks are away from their families for long periods of time. The winter seas are cruel and hazardous, and the summer seas are brutal as well. Many die in the pursuit of a livelihood. The fishermen that Jesus called lived a rough life of hard work, long days and deep disappointments. They also came from generations of people who fished, so knew nothing else. I have known many who went to sea to feed their families and know how hard their lives are. I also know that by calling them, Jesus was bringing hardened men into even harder circumstances, facing challenges and people they had no preparation or training to face. Their willingness sets an example for us, and reminds us that God calls us to places we are not prepared for. We must lives by the grace of the Holy Spirit and trust in the Creator's love for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loving God, you call us away from comfort</div><div>sending us into the unfamiliar and the foreign</div><div>yet you never leave our sides in troubled times</div><div>and you send your Holy Spirit to encircle us.</div><div><br /></div><div>We humans try to control the chaos and storms</div><div>although time after time we know our limits</div><div>we think we can outsmart and outthink the dangers</div><div>yet we find ourselves crying out to you for rescue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us, Lord, to seek your presence in this time</div><div>on troubled seas, stormy nights and calm mornings</div><div>your are always with us and guiding us along</div><div>help us to make our safe harbor with you always. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-44919790418098309012024-02-19T12:40:00.001-05:002024-02-19T12:40:23.574-05:00Prepare The Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVvx1RLT5sYCAuqQgC0cieSBR1urLdrfrfUF1pY2Hw75oJfB8bycSa-3rajTioIMD_5HgdYa86QX7j3f33VnfnH_jBdhN26AxcOXVbP5NGKZ08xzAaupQN_yDOTJoEaPOlPnvccywkhWQJ2l9JbkrcTnun5RcHY5XqVKb07av5brG3fuodFlFJhyU4VzU/s640/cmptdunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVvx1RLT5sYCAuqQgC0cieSBR1urLdrfrfUF1pY2Hw75oJfB8bycSa-3rajTioIMD_5HgdYa86QX7j3f33VnfnH_jBdhN26AxcOXVbP5NGKZ08xzAaupQN_yDOTJoEaPOlPnvccywkhWQJ2l9JbkrcTnun5RcHY5XqVKb07av5brG3fuodFlFJhyU4VzU/w400-h400/cmptdunes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /> 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</i><div><br /></div><div>Our family home was by the ocean, and we loved scrambling down to the beach with simply a towel, ready to dive into the waves. Last summer, because of my injured ankle, on crutches and wearing a boot, I could not walk onto the beach myself. My dear friends, who work on the beach patrol, picked me up in the "mule" and brought me all the way onto the beach. It was so kind. They made a rough way plain, taking away the multitude of obstacles so I could enjoy the water. John made the rough and complicated ways plain so people could reach Jesus. May we be those today who help others by making gentle and kind roads for them, helping them to our incarnate and approachable Savior. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gracious Creator, you make a way for us</div><div>in the darkness and in the daylight</div><div>in the storms of winter and heat of summer</div><div>you invite us along a soft and gentle road.</div><div><br /></div><div>We put obstacles and rules in others' way</div><div>we judge and restrict gifts freely given</div><div>we keep away from others who are different</div><div>yet you are waking with those we reject.</div><div><br /></div><div>Help us to find our way back to you</div><div>give us new hearts of compassion</div><div>make us those who rid the road of hazards</div><div>so all may make their way to your loving home. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-82406106195261568282024-02-17T23:14:00.000-05:002024-02-17T23:14:01.007-05:00First Sunday of Lent <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDZ9rYA5gTm4KpWjhTOXB28Z_18niBiQaDxVXMiAyxQjzV1HieXQVHYEhWycLrXGsk8IolngYLxmN5CLpy6yY7uAfASwglE2O1C20QBf2lEIUtEDenw48qLQK9QoXsqzEJjvDoS8d-j7FWIEEFXL0hZw2OA-hEKJnf7bRFaUewqNdpzvkt2nFT2izRf5u/s1024/baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDZ9rYA5gTm4KpWjhTOXB28Z_18niBiQaDxVXMiAyxQjzV1HieXQVHYEhWycLrXGsk8IolngYLxmN5CLpy6yY7uAfASwglE2O1C20QBf2lEIUtEDenw48qLQK9QoXsqzEJjvDoS8d-j7FWIEEFXL0hZw2OA-hEKJnf7bRFaUewqNdpzvkt2nFT2izRf5u/w400-h400/baptism.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>First Sunday of Lent 2024</b></h3><br /><i>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 forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Mark 1:9-15</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>We often find ourselves between rejoicing in tender moments and hungry and starving in the wilderness. They may be wilderness and isolation of our own making or surprising times when we are thrust outside in the cold. The spirit speaks truth to Jesus in both places and to us as well. God’s spirit is found in both our high and low places and everywhere in between. As we begin our deep dive in Lent, may we be buoyed by the promise of God’s spirit present with us in all of our very human, confusing and chaotic times.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Litany for the First Sunday of Lent</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Divine Creator, we depend on you</div><div>In our hours of sleeping and waking</div><div>In our fullness and our deep hunger</div><div>always present in this humble chaos.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In this season we are marked with ashes</div><div>outwardly we demonstrate our failing</div><div>inwardly we are filled with great pride</div><div>making a mockery of your sacrifice.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite our constant foolishness and pride</div><div>you never fail to be present with us</div><div>you constantly seek us when we are lost</div><div>and always forgiving when we are contrite.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The world is torn by violence and war</div><div>we fan the flames of bigotry and hate.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You are the freedom and healing we seek</div><div>let your justice pour down like rain on all.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Make us your people in service to others</div><div>let your love flow in the broken hearts now.</div><div><b><i>Lord Jesus, send your spirit upon us today. Amen.</i></b></div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-58736837474833602452024-02-16T10:32:00.002-05:002024-02-16T10:32:36.101-05:00Protect Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMlNMe3dp_r6_y5ptHOLJxhaOiskRWBQ9tgLz34cYx5Gj11nlwOsOIKrSLnKgRFEUKSL-8k_BldIBrVXfgiM4GqNjJgb9oZ2pgPqh9Di-y_zR0cG8ZCo28NZklhzvlDdrnubs54rqfWe0YMcGEo6xT6xxTT6etcOf62K52Oh4trL1Z5AZ2PGmYsCURsz_/s240/child4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMlNMe3dp_r6_y5ptHOLJxhaOiskRWBQ9tgLz34cYx5Gj11nlwOsOIKrSLnKgRFEUKSL-8k_BldIBrVXfgiM4GqNjJgb9oZ2pgPqh9Di-y_zR0cG8ZCo28NZklhzvlDdrnubs54rqfWe0YMcGEo6xT6xxTT6etcOf62K52Oh4trL1Z5AZ2PGmYsCURsz_/w393-h400/child4.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><i><br />I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:9-19</i><div><br /></div><div>When my children were young, I worried about them all the time, praying for them when they headed out to school and other places. It's a parent thing, I guess. And now they are grown, strong, beautiful women, I still worry about them and put my worries into prayer. "Protect them, Lord, keep them safe and help them know they are loved." I ask them to call me once they arrive safely when they are traveling. I can't help it. Nor could Jesus. When we love others we care deeply, want them to always be safe and protected. How marvelous to realize our perfect Savior, who gave his life for us, cares about our safety and protection. He care like a human mother or father for us, his headstrong and wandering children.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wondrous Creator, source of all love</div><div>you tenderly care for us as a perfect parent</div><div>watching over us in the day and in the night</div><div>always holding us close to your tender heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>We wander off and get lost in our foolishness</div><div>headstrong and determined we seek trouble</div><div>only to ache for a clear direction home</div><div>only to find you watching over us all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take our hand, Lord, and guide us home</div><div>help us to find rest in your loving arms</div><div>make us humble enough to seek you help</div><div>and may our prayers seek your protection for all. Amen.</div><div><br /></div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5924881547705450433.post-85605858394391246112024-02-15T09:33:00.001-05:002024-02-15T09:33:29.328-05:00The Hour Has Come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4FkLM3Fgakk77dmR0Jy_bnCdyEtOWmalCiE0NsBL7kQAuW4Y7MpuIoL4is3jWmb-LKU4Ea6Itlm8NKH8ysLn8fusxigAGC-R4HxKkpMS2bwKCWc64rpxKRuUwBH08GDhcsi4wsYaR84JWi5Zj5704vi1illoOnXVu8RH5hgwIq-PqXOshOo83dRRbRq1/s500/4.24.22.2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="399" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4FkLM3Fgakk77dmR0Jy_bnCdyEtOWmalCiE0NsBL7kQAuW4Y7MpuIoL4is3jWmb-LKU4Ea6Itlm8NKH8ysLn8fusxigAGC-R4HxKkpMS2bwKCWc64rpxKRuUwBH08GDhcsi4wsYaR84JWi5Zj5704vi1illoOnXVu8RH5hgwIq-PqXOshOo83dRRbRq1/w319-h400/4.24.22.2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><i><br />After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:1-8</i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As we begin Lent this year, there is much worry fear and anxiety. The war in the Ukraine, the war in Palestine and our divided country as we face a presidential election, all weigh heavy on our hearts. Added to those fears are the acts of senseless violence on our streets. Many are fearful and isolated, at a loss to know how to respond. Our Gospel today invites us into the intimate relationship between Jesus and God as part of the family of God, belonging before we ever understood it. As Lent begins, we are invited to dive deep into the waters of baptism, to know ourselves as children of the living God, and examine our lives as we serve others. Noone is outside the love of God and everyone belongs to our Creator.</div><div><br /></div><div>Precious Savior, you spoke the truth</div><div>as the living earthly presence of the Creator</div><div>you stood among us, teaching us who we are</div><div>the beloved children of the living God.</div><div><br /></div><div>We stray far from home and your family</div><div>we are impatient with waiting and prayer</div><div>we think we can survive on our skills</div><div>and find ourselves lost, fearful and alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gather us up, dear Jesus, like small children</div><div>remind us of your constancy and great love</div><div>help us to behave as your beloved family</div><div>making your love a gift to our broken world. Amen.</div>mamabishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03045578373290422041noreply@blogger.com0