Denial

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. John 18:15-27

Wondrous Creator, you inhabit this world

not shying from it's suffering and shame

walking in the gardens and on hard pavement

you are with us in our fearful and darkest hours.

We fragile humans pretend not to see the pain

we run from the uncomfortable situations

yet you are there in the midst of war and conflict

you never deny that you love all of your creation.

Peter was wracked with fear and denied you

yet your love was bigger than his great failure

forgiveness and restoration are your gifts to us

and we all need that in great measure today.

Help us to walk in the dark and scary places

give us strength to witness to your abiding love

make us compassionate and full of faith

so we might bring your love to a troubled world. Amen.

Last Sunday After the Epiphany

Last Epiphany - The Transfiguration

The Collect 

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

 Old Testament Exodus 34:29-35 

 

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 

 

Psalm 99 

1 The LORD is King; 

let the people tremble; *

 he is enthroned upon the cherubim; 

let the earth shake. 

 2 The LORD is great in Zion; * 

he is high above all peoples. 

3 Let them confess his Name, 

which is great and awesome; * 

he is the Holy One. 

 4 "O mighty King, lover of justice, 

you have established equity; * 

you have executed justice 

and righteousness in Jacob." 

5 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD 

our God and fall down before his footstool; * 

he is the Holy One. 

 6 Moses and Aaron

 among his priests, 

and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, * 

they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 

 7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *

 they kept his testimonies and the 

decree that he gave them. 

 8 O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; * 

you were a God who forgave them, 

yet punished them for their evil deeds. 

 9 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God 

and worship him upon his holy hill; * 

for the LORD our God is the Holy One. 

 The New Testament 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 

 

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 

The Gospel Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] 

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. [On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

A Litany for Transfiguration Sunday

Loving Creator you bring light into darkness

waking the world every new day with hope

you give us new visions and new insights

when we find ourselves struggling and alone.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

Our world is terrorized by greed and war

our relatives are bent over with great grief

the nations cry out for a renewing of peace

and we are on our knees in prayer for all.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

The weak are being crushed by the mighty

yet you are always with the poor and destitute

call us to those places where your love goes

and draw us to the people who need your light.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

You went up the mountain to prepare for Jerusalem

and came down again to heal the young child.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.

You showed your disciples your true and holy self

revealing the eternal love and relationship of all.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.

Creator, you are eternal and we are embedded in your heart

help us to be strong for your service in the days ahead.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.

Do Not Be Afraid

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” John 12:9-19

Loving Creator, you put love in our hearts

you are with us in the depths of darkest night

you are with us in the first light of the morning

and with us as we prepare to cross over.

Our world is shocked by war's outbreak

we live in fear for our families and strangers

we wonder why such cruel conflicts occur

and fall to our knees praying for your help.

You were not afraid to face the roaring crowd

nor the cruel, divisive leaders who sought you

you knew the joy of that palm strewn parade

would led you to the hard wood of the cross.

Help us Lord to trust you completely today

let us be humble and willing to seek you

give us your fearlessness to face the future

and may all we do be for your love's sake. Amen.

Anointed

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?’ Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him. Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ John 11:55-12:8

Creator you are the author of abundance

giver of compassion, source of all joy

in the midst of struggling and conflict

you bring us light and your holy spirit.

We do not always have your compassion

we are quick to judge others' extravagance

yet we are shameless in out own indulgence

and shower gifts on those we love.

You sat with you friends and betrayer

and accepted the loving gift of friends

even when she was criticized and shamed

you defended her selfless act of love.

Help us follow as you lead us daily

to tables and rooms where conflicts erupt

bringing honor to places of criticism

and love to the very edge of impending war. Amen.

Faith and Fear

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples. John 11:45-54

Loving Creator you made us for love

instilled us with a faith to move mountains

baptized us with your life giving spirit

and send us stars to guide us on our way.

We live in a time of encroaching nations

fear and safety have replaced our faith

the mighty and the greedy try to overrun

the lands where your people dwell.

The religious leaders conspired about you

yet even in death your love defeated them

you rose victorious from shame and fear

and promise us all new life now and forever.

Help us to choose faith and love today

as world's collide and strife is everywhere

let us be your peace and your promise

so that others may know your presence today. Amen.

Unbind and Let Go

Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’ John 11:30-44

Gracious Creator, source of light and life

your truth and beauty are in every life

your give us the freedom to sing and soar

and lift us up when we stumble and fall.

Many forces have bound us without and within

we fall prey to worry, doubt and greed

we find ourselves bound and chained

yet you will always hear us and set us free.

When Lazarus was in the dark tomb

bound and wrapped and could not move

you brought him life again despite doubt

and taught us all that we too can be released.

Help us, Lord, to not give up on soaring

let your love fill us like wind under wings

let us trust you beyond our circumstances

so that your truth and love might free us all. Amen.

Rise Again

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. John 11:17-29

Great Creator, source of every new day

you bring the sun around every morning

you turn the seasons and the light

giving us abundance at all times.

The great dying seems to be ceasing

yet the shadow of sorrow and grief

cling to the world like a sodden blanket

we are weighed down with so much loss.

You came among your friends in Bethany

amidst their great loss and deep sorrow

you invited them to consider riding again

although they doubted your power.

Help us not to doubt but to believe

give us your spirit again so we might hope

help us to run to the people when you call 

so your love and miracles might be here now. Amen.

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany February 20th, 2022

The Collect

 O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Old Testament Genesis 45:3-11, 15 

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there--since there are five more years of famine to come--so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.'" And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. 

 Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42 

1 Do not fret yourself 

because of evildoers; * 

do not be jealous 

of those who do wrong. 

2 For they shall soon

 wither like the grass, * 

and like the green grass fade away. 

3 Put your trust in the LORD

 and do good; * 

dwell in the land and feed on its riches. 

4 Take delight in the LORD, * 

and he shall give you your heart's desire. 

5 Commit your way to the LORD 

and put your trust in him, * 

and he will bring it to pass. 

6 He will make your righteousness 

as clear as the light * 

and your just dealing as the noonday. 

7 Be still before the LORD * 

and wait patiently for him. 

8 Do not fret yourself over 

the one who prospers, * 

the one who succeeds in evil schemes. 

9 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; * 

do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil. 

10 For evildoers shall be cut off, * 

but those who wait upon the LORD 

shall possess the land. 

11 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; * 

you shall search out their place, 

but they will not be there. 

12 But the lowly shall possess the land; * 

they will delight in abundance of peace. 

41 But the deliverance of the righteous 

comes from the LORD; * 

he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 

42 The LORD will help them and rescue them; * 

he will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, 

because they seek refuge in him. 

The New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 

Someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 

The Gospel Luke 6:27-38 

Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

A Litany for Sunday

Wondrous Creator, source of all beauty

you made a  complex and diverse world

yet you ask us to simply love one another

doing good, showing mercy and forgiving.

Lord, strengthen us with your love and compassion.

This world is too often on the brink of war

too often we are greedy and full of pride

yet day by day you call us to do good

to live so that all the people might thrive.

Lord, strengthen us with your love and compassion.

The hard ground is beginning to break open

the signs of spring and new life abound

break open our hearts for your love alone

that we might renew goodness all around.

Lord, strengthen us with your love and compassion.

All are weary and worn down from fear

yet you never fail to renew and sustain us.

Lord, strengthen us with your love and compassion.

You have given us good measure, running over

let us share your loving abundance with others.

Lord, strengthen us with your love and compassion.

You are the source of all love and forgiveness

let our lives reflect your face to the world today.

Lord, strengthen us with you love and compassion. Amen

One with the Father

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there. John 10:31-42

Creator, you love us as a parent

perfect and loving in your care

you know us as a real part of you

and guide us as we grow in faith.

We often rebel and try to run away

yet you will seek us out and find us

gathering us up as a small child

carrying us all the long way home.

The world denies faith and wisdom

yet we knw that we cannot live

without your daily guidance

without your direction and spirit.

Reweave us today close to your heart

make us rely on your love alone

let our all be for your service

and the care of your people everywhere. Amen.

My Sheep

Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’ Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’ At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’ John 10:19-30

Loving God of all seasons and times

you sustains us through all life's changes

we are often like lost wandering sheep

yet you never forget or abandon us.

Many have doubted the power of your love

many have turned to their own devices

we know we have no where else to turn

and seek our shepherd day in and day out.

In our baptism we are yours forever

bound in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

even when we disregard this holy relationship

you will never, ever let us stray afar.

Lord, let us rejoice in being your sheep

give us strength to follow you every day 

let us be so bound up in your ways

that your love shines through our lives. Amen.

Seeing

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” John 9:1-17

Loving Creator, you made us for love

for caretaking of all of our relatives

your gave us eyes to see your beauty in them

yet we often are blind to the love around us.

We get caught up with heroes and romance

with power, accomplishment and fame

yet your love heals the cast off and the broken

and aches for us to reach out to others.

You healed a man who was blind from birth

yet the religious leaders were blind to love

they focused on power and rigid control

yet you will give us all new sight for love alone.

Scrape the scales of fear and selfishness away

let us see love's light shining in all today

help us to give and receive your love today

that all might be made whole by your hands. Amen.

Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany - February 13, 2022

The Collect 

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

Old Testament Jeremiah 17:5-10 

Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse-- who can understand it? I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. 

 Psalm 1 

1 Happy are they who have not walked

 in the counsel of the wicked, * 

nor lingered in the way of sinners, 

nor sat in the seats of the scornful! 

2 Their delight is in the law

 of the LORD, * 

and they meditate on his law

 day and night. 

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,

 bearing fruit in due season, 

with leaves that do not wither; * 

everything they do shall prosper. 

4 It is not so with the wicked; * 

they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand 

upright when judgment comes, * 

nor the sinner in the council of the righteous. 

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, * 

but the way of the wicked is doomed. 

The New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ--whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 

The Gospel Luke 6:17-26 

Jesus came down with the twelve apostles and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."

Loving God, who set us down in families

giving us new learnings in each season

you gather us indoors in the winter

so the ancient stories can be told again.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord.

We are broken by disease and distance

the rumbles of war are heard everywhere

people have forgotten how to listen deep

we have forgotten how to forgive another.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord.

The people are weary and need healing

long ago you healed them and called them

blessed are those who are suffering and afraid

to them you promised new life and new joy.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord.

In the morning when we rise we are weary

you promised to turn our tears into joy.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord.

At night we twist and wrestle with our worry

you offer us the gift of peace and compassion.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord. 

You gave your life that we might live

let us rejoice in your love as we serve one another.

Give us your wisdom and your heart, O Lord.

Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

Gracious Creator, source of all light

you make the sky dance with stars

you paint the night sky in winter

and break our dark with your dawn.

We are people wandering in darkness

surrounded by despair and deep grief

some have given up on new mornings

for others it seems always light night.

You walked with the sad and lonely

you gave sight to the blind and life

to those who were at their very end

and you promise to be with us now.

Lord, give us the light of your love

help us to be beacons in the dark

let our lives reflect your glory

so the world might know your love. Amen.

No One Condemns You

Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ John 7:53-8:11

Marvelous Creator who made us all

from the one blood and one small planet

our uniqueness is  your true delight

yet we would scorn and abuse the other.

We place value on persons by certain color

and reject others who are not able to pass

we do little to stop the harm done to them

and blame them for our daily callousness.

Yet you would not condemn the woman

they would have stoned her then and there

yet you saw their faults and their sins

and they went away humbled by your face.

Lord, look upon us again with the eyes of love

and teach us to see others with your vision

let us condemn no one and lift up the lost

for you made us all in your diverse beautiful image. Amen.

Living Waters

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.” John 7:37-52

Loving Creator you moved upon the waters

brought life forth from all corners and depths

providing us with all that we need and want

and yet we are still hungry and thirsty.

Our souls are parched and our hearts are dry

a long season of isolation and rising fear

we have forgotten your promises to us all

and rely on our wits and instincts alone.

Yet you came among the people and do so still

your words are life and we need your reviving

we have tried our own solutions for too long

and we ache to be baptized again in your spirit.

Help us dive deep into your living waters

redeem and remake us anew for your service

let you love and spirit flow again through us

and let your blessings flow into this world today. Amen.

The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany 2/6/22

    

                                        The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

The Collect

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

Old Testament Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

 Psalm 138 

1 I will give thanks to you, 

O LORD, with my whole heart; * 

before the gods I will sing your praise. 

2 I will bow down toward your 

holy temple and praise your Name, * 

because of your love and faithfulness; 

3 For you have glorified your Name * 

and your word above all things. 

4 When I called, you answered me; * 

you increased my strength within me. 

5 All the kings of the earth 

will praise you, O LORD, * 

when they have heard 

the words of your mouth. 

6 They will sing of 

the ways of the LORD, * 

that great is the glory of the LORD. 

7 Though the LORD be high, 

he cares for the lowly; * 

he perceives the haughty from afar. 

8 Though I walk in the midst 

of trouble, you keep me safe; * 

you stretch forth your hand 

against the fury of my enemies; 

your right hand shall save me. 

9 The LORD will make good 

his purpose for me; * 

O LORD, your love endures for ever; 

do not abandon the works of your hands. 

The New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 

I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. 

The Gospel Luke 5:1-11 

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Loving Creator, God of abundance

you have filled our ocean with life

provided growing plants for food

and been with us in plenty and want.

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

We have been stuck and isolated for so long

our world has changed and we don't know it

the tools we once had are no longer useful

and we can be frozen by life's storms.

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

You taught the people from the workplaces

you restored their catch and filled their nets

you dwell now in the midst of your people

restored us now to share your bounteous love.

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

The winter is harsh and we are weary

you are our Redeemer and you bring abundance

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

Our hands are sore our bodies are tired

like your disciples we seek your power

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

Set us free from all that binds us now

so that we might be your servants in our time.

Help us, Lord, to get up again and follow you.

In the Crowd

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, ‘Where is he?’ And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man’, others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd.’ Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-13

Loving Creator who hides among the people

you join where your people sings and celebrate

too often we behave like we do not believe

yet you are still moving among the people.

We are impressed by the proud and scheming

and miss the holy as we walk blind daily

we sing the praises of the pretty and haughty

and miss the sacred in the humble on the road.

You did not avoid the gathering of nations

you drew close to the stranger and the outcast

With the eyes of love you see our hearts

and call us to walk with you and the least.

Help us, good Lord, to follow your call

make us your people of care and compassion

help us to see the sacred in the very ordinary

and your love shining through the humble. Amen.

To Whom Can We Go?

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:60-71

Wondrous Creator you placed stars in the heavens

they shine bright and are guides in our darkness 

keeping us on the holy path, your sacred way

of balance and love in all days and all relationships.

We often lose our way and grasp at other prophets

we think money and worldly wisdom will save us

we stay up late and rise early to work and toil

yet we fail to look to you for all of our daily needs.

You told your disciples that you would provide

and some walked away and others trusted you then

we are caught up in the controversies of the world

yet even the world's problems are in your loving hands.

Help us to pray at the dawn and seek your ways

help us to know we are without direction and seek you

let our waking and sleeping be a daily holy path

following in your loving footsteps for the sake of all. Amen.

Free Indeed

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31-36

Tender Creator, you love us all equally

you set us free to live our lives well

you teach us the ways of gratitude

and yet some would bind us in chains.

You are reflected in all our diversity

you are found in the nearby and far away

your heart beats in every race and culture

yet we often want to see you in our likeness.

Throughout history we have enslaved some

taken lives and land thinking we were free

believing in our superiority and rightness

you were weeping then and you are weeping still.

Help us break the chains of our great sins

leaving arrogance, pride and selfishness alone

taking up your ways of love and forgiveness 

setting free your love throughout our world. Amen.

 

Raise Them Up

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; John 6:41-54

Loving Creator you call us all your children

and provide us with the sustenance of life

you have always been with the outcasts

and ignored the powerful and haughty.

You look upon us with the eyes of love

instill that view in each and every one

we choose to ignore your loving vision

seeing only the ways we can be on top.

You call us to be humble yet we are not

you call us to share and yet we do not

you call us to love our all of neighbors

we say that we do but we condemn them.

Help us to be given your sight again

let us look on every person and place

with your loving vision and tender heart

let love be our first and last thought always. Amen.