Homeless

Stanley Spencer

Third Sunday After Pentecost

June 30, 2019

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:51-62

Homeless

One face set towards Jerusalem

a band of dusty travelers all

no place to call home, no rest stop

only weary feet and aching hearts

bound together with a lasting hope

a new world on the horizon.

Rejected, despised at home

turned away at many villages

religious leaders plotting to kill

the Incarnate One among walking

offering love and healing to all

no place to lay down and rest.

The Son has no where to lay his head

we the beloved followers too comfortable

never going without necessities and frills

sorrowing for the migrant and homeless

not moving, but always pontificating

settling for the comfort, not Jerusalem.

May we wake up and rise up again

letting the dead be buried now

seeking the living God among the endangered

finding our Creator on cell block floors

in the confinement camps of children

Our living God dwells, face set on freedom.

The Collect

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Garden Prayer

Gauguin

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. Luke 22:39-51

We often pray in anguish and heartache. We humans forget God when things are good and scream out loud about supposed abandonment. We credit all the good things to ourselves and all the bad things to our Creator. Yet, when we are in true relationship, whether with God or with one another, we talk all the time, appreciate the big and small things, communicating all our joys and our sorrows. We want the people whom we love to talk with us about all of their moments.

Jesus spills his heart out in the garden. What is ahead is terrifying. He has daily and profoundly expressed himself with God. While his disciples slept after a huge meal, he poured his heart out. And by it, he was strengthened for what came next. His prayer, overheard by someone, has made an impression on us all. God invites us to know we are loved and pour our hearts out daily so that we too might be strengthened for the road ahead.

Today, I ask God to help me pray without ceasing. May we live a life of prayer, so that all that comes our way is no match for God's love which is sealed on our hearts and souls.

It Is Enough

Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.” He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.” Luke 22:31-38 




It Is Enough

It is enough that you deny me
take up arms against your fears
find excuses for your behaviors
turn away, once, twice and three times.

It is enough because at the break of day
the rooster will crow and you'll remember
the joy of being taken in and protected
the comfort of love given and underserved.

It is enough that today you are angry
torn up by the ways you have disappointed
placing the blame on others and trying
desperately to change the future outcomes.

It is enough that we are fully human
broken and breaking all the time
our fears overwhelm us, we stumble
yet turning back, we strengthen one another.

Stand By Me

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:24-30 

I have friends I have known for a very long time. We may live far from one another now, but if they needed me, I would go to them. The friends I have held on to are those who have seen me in good times and bad, who have walked with me in the loneliest of places. We're not friends because of what we can get for each other, but simply because we love exactly who we are, just as we are. Friends are always willing to help and serve.

The disciples were arguing over their places and relationships. Jesus knew this about them, as God knows we humans love to compare and argue. In the long run though, what counts every time, is love. Love that is humble and willing to serve. Love that stands by one's friends in crisis and in celebration. Friendship that puts aside pettiness and picks up a towel to help with the dishes.

Today, I give thanks to God for the friends in my life and want to be renewed to serve. May we all stand by those who have walked rough roads with us, showing forth the love of God as we serve.

A Place at the Table

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this. Luke 22:14-23

A Place at the Table

A little child dies in her father's arms

drown in river water trying to escape

the brutality of their beloved home

seeking a place at freedom's table.

The brown, sweet faces of children

starving, dirty and dying in detention

pressed against concrete and fence

simply want a place at the table.

The sweet, terrified young mother

desperate for water so she can nurse

clings to the future for her children

dusty but noble, aching for a place.

Give us your tired, your poor, aching

to be free from assaults and abuse

they want only to find refuge and freedom

and we deny them a place at the table.

Increase and Decrease

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized—John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.

Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:22-30

Increase and Decrease

I lose so many  things all the time
misplacing keys and needed glasses
wandering around blindly looking
yet I never lose the ones I love.

A brief moment in a crowded shop
stopping everything to seek the one
little and curious who has taken off
love demands we decrease for others.

Stopping and slowing for the elders
lifting up and carrying the young
our brillance is not dimmed at all
when we give ourselves for others.

The birds stop singing for the rain
the mother accepts pain for the child
we are all becoming less for love
joyous every more day by day.

When Pigs Fly

                            Second Sunday after Pentecost June 23, 2019

Jesus and his disciples arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" -- for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39

Some folks don't like to hear that there are consequences from any behavior. They particularly don't want to hear that healing can be painful, challenging and life altering. Anyone who has spent time in Physical Therapy knows that to get better one has to be willing to strain and learn new habits. We change and change the world around us as well get well, no longer accepting the limitations, and embracing a new way to be in the world.

Jesus healed a very ill and tormented man. The family and the community had given up on him years before. He was a threat to everyone, including himself. After the healing, they were terrified, not just because the pigs were terrorized and died, but because the world as they knew it had changed. They had to learn new habits and new understanding. That is hard for all of us. God promises to give us the strength to be healed and live into our new selves and new worlds.

Today, I ask God to help me take hold of the healing that is present and live into the new world being made. May we not be afraid, but embrace the changes around us and see God's love in those around us.

Collect

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Signs

Jesus said, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:20-28

Signs

The sun reached it's zenith
the summer has truly begun
whether warm or drizzling
we know the season's here.

A mother with birthing pangs
a child with school jitters
stores full of bright decorations
we know how to read these.

God within us is harder to know
the flutter of love for a stranger
the impulse to feed the hungry
this joy is the season of the Holy.

Endurance

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” Luke 21:5-19 

I have been a swimmer since before I can even really remember. Several years I swam for swim across America, a long distance swim to raise money for cancer research. Long distance requires strength but even more, endurance. Speed is less important than pacing yourself and keeping a positive attitude throughout. My daughter Emily has done long distance swims in the Hudson River, fighting currents and all the flotsam and jetsam found in that body of water. It is easy to endure in calm waters, much harder, in dark, murky and dangerous place.

Jesus is sharing with his followers the truth about the faith lives we lead. It won't ever be easy. That is true for much of our lives, since it is easy to be positive and move forward in good times. When people turn on us, when we are abused by systems that should protect us,well, that is when our faith need to be firm. We are promised that God is protecting us, no matter how the world treats us. We are loved and cared for beyond measure. 

Today, I ask God for an extra measure of strength to endure. May we, in our darkest times, hold on tight to the promise that God is with us, and shine our light for those who need the strength to endure.

Giving All

Then Jesus said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”‘ David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Luke 20:41 – 21:4

Giving All

A big heart in a small frame
is not limited by funds or means
not bound by practice or culture
but remember forver in stories.

She walked slowly to the basin
to pour her lfe savings within
she was grateful for all she had
full of love despite her looks.

Some might have not noticed her
others would send her shamefully away
never would the welcome her
nor invite her to their fancy banquets.

Yet it is she who took the Savior's notice
she took the heart of the livign God
she gave from love and thankfulness
she becomes love's daily model and icon.