The Visitation

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Luke 1:39-57

The feast of the visitation is the day we remember Mary going to see her cousin Elizabeth with whom she had a close relationship. She knew Elizabeth could support her, emotionally, spiritually and physically for she remained with her for three months. We always seek our clan mothers, our wise aunts and cousins who are our support system. Mary was terrified and excited, and she left home and into the arms of Elizabeth, in order to find the strength to face her destiny. None of us can do our faith journey alone, whether we are carrying great burdens and responsibilities, or whether, like Mary, we care carrying the Son of God. We are invited by God today to seek out our clan mothers and fathers, our siblings and communities that can help us move through troubling and changing times.

Gracious Creator, who invites us in community

you bless us with friends and chosen family

to help us find our way through dark times

and give us words of gratitude in the midst of it.

We often scream in the dark, raging at our isolation

unwilling to move towards those who can help us

enjoying victimhood rather than the healing

which you are offering with every new sunrise.

Help us to get on our feet and move to healing

seeking out the ones who can hold us and listen

becoming those who can be with the seekers

and the ones who are carrying the burdens of love. Amen.

Harvest

He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ Matthew 13:24-30

We like to believe that we will be forgiven of whatever we have done because we are Christians. Yet, Jesus is clear that those of us who act like weeds, choking out growth in order to get our way, are facing dire consequences. We seem to have given in to the "rage and grievances" way of our times. Our readiness to forgive, again and again, marks us as followers of Jesus. Too often we act as spoiled children. Harboring grudges, demanding restitution, shunning others is not the way of Jesus. We are called to be workers in the harvest, those who go out in the heat of the day. Jesus will provide the restitution when we live ready to forgive and ready to serve.

Loving Creator, you put your heart in us

made us flesh and blood into your family

we are given the tools to love the people

and renew communities that are harmed.

Too often, we nurse our wounds and slights

we turn away from forgiveness to rage

we act as victims when we are surely called

to be servants of love, forgiveness and renewal.

May we offer all our pain and hurt to you

knowing you suffer for us all on the cross

you took our burdens, sorrows and pain

and will shower us all with a harvest of plenty. Amen.

Family of the Creator

‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but it finds none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.’ While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ Matthew 12:43-50

When we are baptized, we are made part of a family that is bigger than our birth family, our community and our tribes. We are related through the love of God, our Creator, who connects us, renews us and sustains us. Jesus' family is bigger than his immediate kin. And so is ours. We are responsible for the care of many, and they too are bound to us. Jesus speaks to the people, not rejecting his own but rather widening the circle of belonging and connection. In my tribal tradition, we are made up of seven clans and are spread out across the country, yet we all belong. Like the tribe, we belong and are responsible for others in the love of God, which is a gift which is always shared.

Gracious Creator, we are all your family

from every hidden corner of the earth 

from the four winds and every place

we are called to share your love abroad.

Too often we live as if we were a club

where some are kept outside and shunned

yet you made the outcasts your family

and called us to share our lives with them.

Make us your family today, dear Lord

so that we might do the will of the Creator

so that we might love others as you do

living to serve and care for everyone. Amen.

Known By Its Fruit

‘Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’ But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! Matthew 12:33-42

We are known for what we produce, good or evil. I words might help or hurt, but our actions are louder than anything we can speak. Jesus was speaking with the religious leaders of his day, who were constantly criticizing his ministry and his healing of the people. We who are religious leaders in this time must pay attention to these words and examine our lives, especially the fruit of our ministries. Who have we brought God's love to and who have we left out of that love? All of us must continually care for our "gardens" and make sure our lives witness to God's love among us.

Loving Creator, source of all good fruit

we can do nothing without your love

steadfastly with us in our good times

and always with us when we are failing.

We often believe ourselves to be righteous

while we quickly condemn the fallen ones

we laugh at their folly and are very smug

while you are caring for them without us.

Help us today to see the error of our ways

give us the insight to care for those around us

make us those who tenderly love the people

producing good fruit for the kingdom of God. Amen.

A House Divided

Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:22-32

On this Memorial Day, I cannot help but wonder what all those who gave their lives for our freedom must think about us. We are so often selfish, spoiled and stubborn in our ways. We ridicule and abuse the refugees, we are rude and unkind to one another, and we all act as if it is everyone for themselves. We are not noble as our warriors were, willing to risk it all for tribe, family and nation. We think we can win by pushing our agenda so fiercely that hurt and offend even those who are allies. We are invited today, as we celebrate, to imagine what we can do to honor the memory of those who gave their all.

Wondrous Creator, heart of every nation

you have given us the power to be free

to live our lives and pray as we so chose

and to be showered with your abundance.

We too often take for granted our freedom

and waste our time on selfish pursuits

while there are others across our globe

who would love to know simple freedoms.

Help us to put aside our divisions and attitudes

so we might see the needs groaning near us

let us be those who are willing to offer ourselves

so the whole world might know freedom now. Amen.

Doing Good on the Sabbath

At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?’ so that they might accuse him. He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Matthew 12:1-14

We all have rules we live by. Some of us tend to judge others by the rules we choose to live by and set for ourselves. Most often when we do this, we find others at fault, and we fail to understand their circumstances or their pressing need. Jesus reminds us all that following God means understanding "I desire mercy not sacrifice." We often jump to conclusions and condemn others even though we do not know the circumstance. May we move from instant judgement to making our lives be streams of mercy, on the Sabbath and every day, so God's love can flow through us always.

Loving Creator, you shower us all with mercy

planting us in fertile fields of deep love

making us always compassionate and merciful

holding us close in the good times and bad.

We often fail to see the many blessings given

we rush to judgement and criticism so quickly

when we have been showered with mercy and love

and are called to share those gifts with everyone.

Help us to live humbly and mercifully today

humble us so we can see the needs around us

give us new hearts to always be doing good

so your love might be seen in our broken world. Amen.

Come to Me

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:25-30

Whenever I hear this reading from Matthew, I cannot help by hear these words in the music of Handel's Messiah. Having sung these words many times, they are embedded on my heart and cannot be disconnected from one another. The music soars, reminding me that when I am weary, when the burdens overwhelm me, when troubles and pain seem beyond my bearing, Jesus says to all of us, " come unto me, and I will give you rest. May we rest today in the promise of a loving Savior who shoulders our burdens and sorrows and who is with us in our darkest and most painful times.

Compassionate Creator, very heart of us all

you invite us daily to learn the ways of love

to care for those who are suffering and alone

to know our burdens are born by your Son.

We are so independent and hardheaded

we believe ourselves able to solve problems

we forget to ask for help and resent asking

while you stand with open arms inviting us.

Let us be humble in heart and seek you

make us always ready to ask for divine help

let us be those who carry the burdens of others

trusting that you are shouldering the load with us. Amen.

You Did Not Dance

‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’ Matthew 11:16-24

Dancing is participating in the life of the people, responding to the beat of the drum and the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Singing and dancing are some of the earliest expressions that small children demonstrate long before they can speak and even walk. When we refuse to be moved by the world around us, when we fail to be moved by the needs of the people, we set ourselves apart from the love of God. Dancing is primal and when we refuse to dance, we refuse to be a part of Creation. I hope you can dance today.

Loving Creator, creation heartbeat is your drum

you invite us to be one with you as we dance

as we weep and mourn with the suffering one

and as we listen deeply to the cries around us.

We like to judge and play games too much 

we think ourselves better than those dancing

we refuse to find you in the small joys of life

and imagine ourselves with stars in our crowns.

Lord, help us to be humble and open like children

let us have hearts that feel your heartbeat within us

make us always ready to sing, dance and weep

s your love might shine through us in this darkness. Amen.

Listen!

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen! Matthew 11:7-15

We live in a time when there is so much said, online, in the media, and on our streets and so much of it is critical, angry and accusatory. There is much noise, and it can be hard to listen. Too few people listen before they speak, and even fewer listen in prayer before they chastise and abuse. Jesus asks us today to listen. When we listen closely and observe, we begin to understand in a deeper, more compassionate way. He invited his disciples and the crowd around him to listen deeply and observe carefully that the world was changing, and their old ways and understandings will be shaken and changed as well. We live in a time when we are tempted to shut everything out and turn everything off. We are invited to listen to the heart of God and know, as our world changes our Creator is in the midst of it.

Gracious Creator, you are patience with us

as we are deaf to your call for compassion

as we speak before we take time to listen

and you love us all despite our stubbornness.

We are stirred up and want to scream our pain

yet too often we victimize others with our anger

too often we fail to listen to your still small voice

calling us to deep listening and deeper prayer.

Lord Jesus, help us to learn to listen deeply

give us the faith to take all our worries to you

let prayers of mercy and love ever be on our lips

so that we might serve those who are not heard. Amen.

Go and Tell

Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ Matthew 11:1-6

We learn from a young age the importance of telling the truth, and quickly learn also to cover up our mistakes and deny misdeeds. When John inquired from prison about Jesus, the disciples are told to tell what they hear and see, not to make stuff up, but to recount what they have experienced. We humans are likely to elaborate and exaggerate when we tell our stories. Jesus invited the honest truth from his disciples and invites us to speak honestly from experience. We often ache to seem smarter, more faithful and more righteous than we truly are. Let us tell what we see and hear and trust that God is blessing all that can hear and receive.

Loving Creator, you make the lame to walk

give sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf

you even raise the dead and bring good news

to the poor and the marginalized among us.

We are often reluctant to share the good news

we hold tight to our blessings as if limited

we squander your love in our anger and lies

wanting to impress others rather than love them.

Help us to share the good news on every corner

let your truth be told in our simple stories

may healing and restoration be our prayer

and love and peace be the gifts we share. Amen.

Pentecost Sunday 2024

Jesus said to his disciples, ”When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Pentecost is often referred to as the church's birthday. Like most births, it came suddenly and on her own time. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit and Pentecost happened, yet many thought the disciples were drunk and foolish. Much of what the Holy Spirit does in our lives and in the church can seem foolish and problematic for many. Many want the comfort of the nostalgic church they remember, often incorrectly. Yet throughout history, God empowers the unlikely and even the unprepared with the Holy Spirit. The church burst onto the world with uncontrolled language, with tongues of flames and an unfailing community of mutual support. May we who serve our Creator in the church always be ready to be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit so we can do new things needed in this age.

A Litany for Pentecost 

Marvelous Creator, source of the Spirit

you breathe your love on everyone 

empowering us with your Holy Spirit

making us all proclaim your love to all.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.

We refuse to change our minds and hearts

we struggle to see creative solutions

we cling to the past as if it was perfect

and fail to see the Spirit among us all.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.

Yet you are the one who calls the unlikely

shepherds, fisherfolk and tax collectors

were overwhelmed by your Holy Spirit

and given prophetic voices in hard times.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.

We are frustrated when our world has changed

help us see your Holy Spirit moving here.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.

Give us new hearts and new capabilities

so we might serve your love inbreaking now.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today.

For your have renewed us and mended us all

and you are our beginning, our end and our home.

Come Holy Spirit and make a home in our hearts today. Amen.

New Wineskins

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew 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 the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’ Matthew 9:9-17

When God is doing a new thing, we cannot bring our old games and ways. Too often, we want God to do new things without us having to change one iota. Matthew had to get up from his tax booth and invite Jesus to his home. We are afraid and anxious about change, it is a normal human reaction. Yet all miracles and wonders happen when we are willing to get up from our normal and follow Jesus into uncharted territories. We are in that season now. Let us get up, change our hearts and follow him.

Miraculous Creator, source of all wonder

we like the comfort of our worn-out ways

we fear having to change our daily patterns

yet when we change and turn we find new life.

We build walls and believe we are secure

we think we are in charge yet we are followers

our wineskins are old and ready to breakdown

give us the courage to change our hearts.

The world is in turmoil and great flux

we tremble on the edge of great changes to come

help us to follow you into your wonderful now

and live so that all may have brand new lives. Amen.

Stand Up and Walk

And after getting into a boat, he crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic— ‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Matthew 9:1-8

I have spent a good deal of time in the past two years in some form of PT. Some time back they were teaching me to walk again when I was still rather weak and had a troublesome wound. It is so easy to get discouraged when we are sorely wounded, ill and without strength. To all of us who are discouraged and frustrated with our own lack of healing and progress, Jesus speaks to us today. "Your sins are forgiven!" Whatever is holding us back and making us believe we deserve the pain and suffering, Jesus reminds us we are forgiven, and healing is coming our way. May we always be ready to receive forgiveness and to "take up our bed and go home."

Gracious Creator, you know the ache of the world

you understand the desire to be whole and strong

even when the times and seasons wear us all down

you are always ready to bring healing and forgiveness.

When we have much pain and suffering in our bodies

we often blame ourselves and then feel quite abandoned

yet your love is bigger than all the shame and blame we carry

and you are always ready to heal us and help us stand.

Lift us up today so we might be strong for others

strengthen us so we might endure the trails ahead

restore our joy so we might share your love abroad

and help us to seek your healing and forgiveness daily. Amen.

Casting Out Demons

When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ And he said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matthew 8:28-34

We all have our demons, some more pronounced than others. The demoniacs that encounter Jesus were so fierce that grown folks avoided them and their surroundings. We don't encounter "demoniacs" today and often don't believe in demons at all. Yet, we can all identify people and places that make us afraid and know how violence and cruelty beget more violence and cruelty. Jesus rids the community of this evil and they want Jesus to go away. Sometimes we get too comfortable with the evil and cruelty around us, loving our familiar devils. We are invited to seek healing from all our demons, so we can serve and love others.

Precious Savior, you are fierce in the face of evil

you turned the tables in the temple and cleansed it

you cast out the demons and sent them away

and call us to move from violence and fear to love.

We are comfortable with our devils and demons

we adore the bad ones and revel in their entertainment

yet when we are fearful and tormented in the night

we cry out to you to rid us of our many demons.

Help us today, Lord Jesus, to admit the evil within

cast out the terrors that keep us from loving and serving

set us free so that we might set others free as well

and let us be instruments of your love and freedom. Amen.

Why Are You Afraid?

Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, 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.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’ And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ Matthew 8:18-27

I get afraid when the storms of life overcome me. I am human, as we all are, and I know too well the dangers that can befall us. I can wonder where Jesus is in these storms and ask why he is sleeping when I am afraid of dying. The disciples were seasoned sailors, with great knowledge of the tides, winds and waves. They were not foolish children, but real experienced adults who knew too well the dangers ahead. Despite their fear, terror and their lack of faith, Jesus calmed the winds and the waves. Jesus is on this boat with us, and despite of fears and lack of faith, will calm the storms of our lives as well.

Wondrous Creator, you breathed on the waters

you put life everywhere on this round earth

giving us peace and calm amidst our storms

and bringing us all home to safe harbors.

We bristle with fear and suspect abandonment

when the storms of life rattle our routines

we forget that you are the master of the sea

and hear our despairing, frightened cries.

Draw near to us, Lord Jesus when we are sinking

restore our calm and our faith in you again

help us to be the calm for others in storms

and let you love bring us all safely home. Amen.

Such Faith

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour. When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.’ Matthew 8:5-17

Today, we hear the story of the faithful centurion and the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. Both were people with very specific roles in life, and both had great love for their family and community. We know that the centurion's faith overjoyed Jesus, yet we don't know how the healed servant responded. We do know that Peter's mother-in-law got up and served her family and friends. More than anything she wanted to return to the things that made her feel complete, made her feel like she was able to do her part. That is what we all want, although sometimes our illnesses and brokenness stand in our way. Let us pray today for those who need healing and for those who ache to do their part.

Glorious Creator, you paint the sky with color

lights dancing in the deepest dark of the night

to remind us there is nothing impossible with you

and that you love and healing surround us all.

When we are struggling, hurting and ailing

we think you have abandoned us to this pain

yet in all times and places your love is reaching

seeking the broken in all of our hiding places.

Help us to seek your healing touch this day

give us the strength to do our part for others

let your love surround us so we might know you

and live in faith and trust that all deserve healing. Amen.

Seventh Sunday of Easter

    

                                Seventh Sunday of Easter May 12, 2024

Jesus prayed for his disciples, “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. 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 17:6-19

The words of Jesus and his prayer for his disciples, reminds us that things are constantly changing, people move, they pass away, and what we counted on once is no longer available. Transitions are hard and we are always in some sort of transition. We are invited by Jesus, when we are afraid, when things are changing, when the world seems way off center, Jesus calls us to pray. Pray for others, pray for the world and pray for ourselves. We always need protection, peace and sanctification to get through our rough days, and our God is always ready to pour great measures of love, protection, peace and sanctification upon us all.

Loving Creator, source of strength and resilience

your world is a thing of great beauty and challenge

this verdant orb turns with every season and every day

and we ache from the constant changes that surround us.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another.

War and divisions have torn families and nations apart

the young valiantly raise the voices in protest

too often they are rewarded with violence and arrest

and we are all bowed down from the unsolvable problems.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another.

Yet you are the Creator who is with us from the start

you hold us in the palm of you hand, nestle us in your arms

you light up the sky with wonders, and bless us with plenty

even when we are afraid of tomorrow and fear the worst.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another.

Help us Lord to remember to pray in every moment

laying our troubles and heartache at your feet.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another.

You offered yourself on the cross so we might live

help us live as people of hope and resurrection.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another.

For you prayed for your disciples in turning times

and you hold us and love us in every season.

Precious Savior, pray for us and teach us to always pray for one another. Amen.

Messiah

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:41-46

We humans too often revel in arguing and fighting, tussling as small children and having political debates as adults. We pretend it's all in fun, in the name of sport, or in the name of vigorous democracy. In fact, too often, it is pride and jealousy rolling around like young cubs, biting and teasing until blood is drawn. We want our way, we want to dominate, and when we don't get our way, we often lash out and call it righteousness. Jesus was in conversation with the religious leaders of the day who barely tolerated in the best of times. They wanted him gone because he pointed out their hypocrisy, selfishness and love of money and power. Often, act all spiritual, humble and thoughtful but when pressed we are violent in our responses. The religious leaders of his day could not answer him in the end and so were silent. Maybe, we all might practice some silence and listening before we do battle, act righteous and pretend we are better than others.

Precious Creator, heart of our hearts 

you sent us a messiah, a savior

to walk with us and teach us love

yet we are stubborn and want our way.

You do not chose one over the other

yet we want our group to be your favorite

we think our hurts allow us to hurt others and

think ourselves righteous when we are mean.

Humble us enough to see our cruel ways

let us follow in the messiah's path of love

which is renewal, healing and deep grace

even in the face of pain, sorrow and grief. Amen.

Good Soil

‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’ Matthew 13:18-23

There are many things required to be good, rich soil. It needs to be well fed and watered, not too alkaline, not too base. Good soil can be overworked and become fragile and blow away. Crops need to be rotated so the soil stays good, and it needs to be full of life like worms and bugs. How hard it is to be good soil for us. We want everything and every crop to be the same year after year. We want to keep moving forward with our goals without resting. And we are quickly angry with all the worms and the bugs in our lives. We rail at God for not protecting us, when we have been taught over and over how to be good soil. Rest, food, balance, change and plenty of squirmy annoying life is where we find our health.

Living Creator, you plant us all in community

you teach us how to be good and productive earth

you make us the soft soil of our many lands

and yet we want to be the rigid strong buildings.

We get frustrated when our plans are futile

we think ourselves as victims of a cruel gardener

when you have given us all good places to grow

and called us to rest and renewal in every season.

Help us to examine ourselves for the sake of love

let what we do and say enrich the whole garden

let you light renew us and your word feed us all

so we might know you blessings as we serve others. Amen.

Abundance

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’ Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Matthew 13:1-16

It is often hard to feel like good soil in this season when folks are aching over decline and living with a sense of failure and great loss.  We can feel more like depleted soil with nothing left to give. Jesus told stories and then interpreted them to his followers, so we can understand how to live. We know ourselves, as the disciples did then, blessed and loved by God. Even in times of poverty and loss, we can give thanks for love's abundance. I have been ill for a few days, in hospital for a few more. Breakfast at home today with my beloved was a feeling close to heaven. May we all be good soil, despite our circumstances, so others might see and taste heaven's abundance.

Abundant Creator, source of all life

you designed the seasons for our teaching

show us how to live in many stories

and renew us even when we feel so depleted.

We too often reject you love for us

choosing instead to win and be the victor

only to find victory without love is empty

and abundant life comes only with sharing.

Lift us all up from any of our despair today

help us be renewed by your abundant love

let us be those who readily share your love

so all may be blessed in their times of woe. Amen.