Anyone Who Is Thirsty

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

Most Americans take for granted that they will have drinking water. In many places across the globe and here also, water is tainted and dangerous to drink. Throughout history wine and beer were drunk in place of contaminated waters. When I grew up the Hudson River was so very contaminated that no one would have thought to take a drink. Our reservation waters have been polluted by uranium and other mines, as well as the damage that pipelines have done to our waters. So being thirsty, really thirsty is a real problem and a real need. And it is Jesus who says he is living water, water not polluted or compromised, by refreshment from the heart of God. And he promised that we too would be sources of living waters.

Wondrous Creator, who fills the mighty oceans

and who make the waters lively and fresh

you concern is always for our health and thriving

your heart is always with the care of all peoples.

We humans have polluted and misused these gifts

we have tainted the water and scorched the earth

yet you would bring us renewal and slake of our thirst

and you will help us be living waters for others.

Give us the strength to put our discouragement away

and make us strong for the labor in the days ahead

so that the hungry might be fed, the thirsty refreshed

and all the earth know the loving heart of God. Amen.

Do Not Judge by Appearances

About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, ‘How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?’ Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him. ‘Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law.

Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?’ The crowd answered, ‘You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.’ Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.’ Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’ Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, ‘When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?’ The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering such things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent temple police to arrest him. Jesus then said, ‘I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.’ The Jews said to one another, ‘Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, “You will search for me, and you will not find me” and “Where I am, you cannot come”?’ John 7:14-36

I had facetime with my grandchildren after their first day of school. They were so excited and happy about getting through the first day in a new school. I know they were terribly worried in the days before. They want to make new friends and do not want to be judged by who they are, what they look like and whether they have the right accessories and clothing. Adults can remember our own huge anxieties of wanting to be included and not judged. Jesus said loud and clear that we shouldn't judge by appearances. Yet we humans judge, and we are regularly hurt and broken by others' judgement. I pray we can all set judgment aside and open our hearts to following the Jesus way.

Gracious Creator, we are made in your image

many colors and a diverse expression of You

your creation is an explosion of great beauty

and has a place for every glorious living being.

Too often we judge ourselves as less than

and we turn and cruelly judge one another

our hurt and pain is visible and becomes trauma

yet you have compassion on all of us here.

Help us Lord, to set aside all judgement

so that we can see clearly one another's' heart

let your love and compassion flow through us

so that we might see your heart in everyone here. Amen.

Festival

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

All communities and religious sects have festivals. Some are open to the public, some are for observant members, and some, are completely unknown to outsiders. Whatever the nature of the festival, people look forward to them, make great preparations and plans for them, and thoroughly enjoy their time. And, we know, when families and close communities come together, judgement and gossip are prevalent. This is so for every pow wow I have ever attended, as well as church gatherings and festivals. A very human Jesus did not want to go because of the judgment and the gossip. Yet he knew his heart and soul still wanted to participate. It was important for his heart and soul, for his grounding in faith and for his identity. We find Jesus in the most human of situations, and we all know these circumstances. An insight into the challenges we all face. Sometimes we can participate and sometimes we need to step back, watch, wait and pray ourselves through these challenges times.

Loving Creator, you teach us to dance

we pray as we step into the familiar circles

we give thanks for the community gathered

and we ask for your blessings on our lives.

Sometimes, though, we do not feel safe here

the familiar has become a real obstacle

we can see the eyes of judgment upon us

and our hearts break from the cruel rejection.

Lift us up into your loving arms in these times

when nothing fits and all have become strangers

help us to step back as we watch and pray

knowing you are remaking and renaming us always. 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

Most of don't drink enough water and even when we do, we can feel very parched and dry. We often find ourselves in arid, dry times, seasons when we feel as if we are dragging our bodies through every day with no relief.  Our work, our families and our health can be extraordinarily challenging. Some seasons in life wear us down. Often, we lash out, play politics or trash talk when we are hurting. Jesus invites us to a different place, the place of refreshment and renewal found only in him. I know too often I fail to put my sorrows into prayer and let anger swallow me up. May we all turn to Jesus in our dark nights, our deserts, in our isolation and in all times.

Loving Creator, source of all living water

we are refreshed and renewed in your love

buoyed by your compassion and care

and tenderly healed of our broken hearts.

We roil in anger and in our heartache

we think we have been completely abandoned

yet you never stop offering your love

and call us to be refreshed and healed in you.

Make us always ready to turn to you

let your living waters flow over and through us

so that we might be strengthened and healed

for your service here on this aching earth. Amen.

True Food

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; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. John 6:52-59

Every few years there are new recommended diets and new guidelines. Whether it's mediterranean, keto, additives to our food and our coffee, whatever it is, folks are believing that the right food will change their lives. Most are being sold a bill of goods and are being bilked by scammers of all stripes. It is clear from our gospel today that none of those magic pills will change our lives. God's love, taken in and trusted, the Creator's word daily consumed and daily consulted, is what changes our lives forever. We can follow trends and feel lost or follow Jesus and find our way home.

Gracious Creator, you bring us to harvest time

the fields are right with fruits and grains

you provide the fuel for our bodies and soul

and promise to care for us in every age.

We are drawn in by salespeople and hucksters

thinking we can change our lives for the better

instead, we find ourselves more hopelessly lost

and cannot find our way to your sacred ground.

Help us to be filled with your love and spirit

the world needs that eternal food and hope

let us take in deeply the true bread of life

that we might be your people here and now. Amen.

Sunday, August 25th - Proper 16

    

                                        Sunday, August 25th, 2024 - Proper 16

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. 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.” John 6:56-69

The harsh truth turns many people away. We humans often want things the old way, often looking back to our childhood when everything was rosy. We could not see the challenges and the hardship our parents and grandparents suffered. We aren't willing to imagine the tests of their faith but want to believe they had it easy. They did not, they could not if they were facing the truth and living in the world. My father served in three wars, and my mother was sent alone from Oklahoma and her family at age twelve. Their faith was firm, grounded and tested and their joy was evident. May we all respond in our hard times, "to whom can we go?" May we trust that Jesus has the words of eternal life in all times and all of our struggles.

A Litany for Sunday August 25th

Nurturing Creator, you feed us and fill us

you find us safe roads and welcoming places

when we wander you bring us back home

and you gather us in your warm loving arms.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life.

Too often we want to remain as small children

facing nothing that hard, no truth that stings

we do not want to serve but be the served

and forget that you are always serving with us.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life.

Storms of life and important choices face us all

we want to be cosseted but you make us strong

though the earth shakes, and the waters rise

you will be our strength and our daily bread.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life.

Keep us from looking back with nostalgia

and ground us in your truth and love.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life.

We are often feeble and easily mislead

and you are life and give us life abundant.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life.

Turn our weary hearts from all our worries

and let us always rest completely in your love.

Stay with us Lord Jesus for you have the words of eternal life. Amen.

True Bread

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’ John 6:27-40

When the weather allows, which it really hasn't this summer, I truly enjoy baking bread. There is something to the process that is fundamental. I have to feed the yeast and wait for the risings, ready to knead the bread over and over again, hands covered in flour and dough. Like all of life, it is a messy, slow process. We are impatient in this age, wanting immediate gratification. Yet as one of my professors used to say, "fast and dirty is just dirty." The bread of life is a deep and patient commitment to the depth of our hearts and souls. Jesus is not a flash in the pan, but an eternal promise, an eternal presence that loves us completely, we who are messy, slow and often impatient.

Gracious Creator, our food and our stay

you sent manna from heaven to wanderers

you feed those who were so lost and alone

and you sent us Jesus the true bread of life.

We are impatient and we are greedy

wanting more than our bellies can hold

thinking we will be satisfied in fast food

yet you are the food we truly long for.

Help us to live patiently in this time

when we hunger for new strength and vision

let us trust that you are feeding our souls

and restoring your love in this world. Amen

Do Not Be Afraid

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ John 6:16-27

We all have times when we are afraid, and the storms of life overwhelm us. Struggling with health, stability and our futures can make us all feel terror in our bones. Most of us don't face threatening situations every day, but often, fear creeps in, keeping us awake and haunting our dreams. The good news today is that we are not alone in the storms and Jesus knows our every fear, our every need and our heartfelt desires. Fear is part of being alive and to that Jesus says, "do not be afraid" very often in the gospels. He gets our pain and fear and comes to us in the midst of it.

Tender Creator, source of all peace 

you come close in the storms of life

we stay with us when we are sick

and love us like a perfect parent.

We tremble with fear everyday

thinking that this is our last day

worrying over the big and small

not seeing you drawing near to us.

Come near us Lord Jesus today

for we are weak and still afraid

you know our needs before we ask

and promise to still all the storms. Amen.

Gather Up the Fragments

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15

We often speculate how the feeding of the five thousand happened but rarely remember the gathered fragment. Twelve baskets full were left over so that even more could be fed. Abundance is a thing w rarely claim and yet, as a people we have abundance all around us. All we can see is the lack. The disciples could only see the lack. Yet one child's gift became food for a hungry throng. May we be like the little boy, offering what we can, not seeing how little it is, but knowing that it will be blessed, shared and become abundance for countless hungry folks.

Compassionate Creator, source of all our food

you know our needs before we even can ask

you hear our cries before we can even speak them

and you hold us close even when we forget you.

The world teaches us to be afraid and to hoard

we look around us and see others with more

jealousy and dangerous longing creep into us

and our hearts are sick with worry and fear.

Let your love make us childlike and fearless 

may we share the little we have with others

knowing you will bless it and make abundance

for your love can feed and heal the masses even now. Amen.

For God All Things Are Possible

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Matthew 19:23-30

We want our lives to be easy. So many complain about what is now called "adulting" because growing up, being responsible and taking care of others is work. A life of faith, a life of following Jesus is hard work too. We want slide on shoes, our food cooked and delivered, and we want ease. Yet Jesus told his disciples that "easy faith" gets you nowhere. Not that we need to suffer but that in our suffering we are drawn close to God, and in our hard work we are blessed. What we offer, what we give up, when we feel isolated and in pain, we are loved as family as children of the living God.

Blessed Creator, you breathe life into us

you give us a village to raise us up

you surround us with all good things

and draw close to us when we are suffering.

Our world says we are failing when burdened

that we must not be beloved when suffering

if we find ourselves on the outside we are fools

yet Jesus calls us to see him in our midst.

Let us learn every good lesson from our toil

let gratitude and joy be our song and sign

may we who know the rough roads traveled

trust that we are held in your loving arms. Amen.

Nothing On My Own

Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5:19-29

So often the average person thinks they are alone. Though none of got here today without a mother and father, helpful or not so, a group of elders who taught and guided us, and the young one who we share life with. We are women together whether our strand is hidden or pronounced, whether we can see the rest of the weaving or not. Jesus was clear that he could do nothing on his own. And we need to be clear that we cannot really do anything on our own. Someone made space for us, someone saw us struggling and came to our aide, and always, God is blessing us and answering our feeble prayers. The challenges we face today are not alone, as well as the blessings showered upon us. May we always turn to the Creator and to one another so that we might show forth the love that has lifted us.

Loving Creator, you have woven us together

dependent, interdependent and individuals all

that we might see our relations as strength

and might bless those who have none to rely on.

We think we are one outstanding original strand

yet we are nothing without you and others

we get frayed and frightened every single day

yet you are always binding us back together.

Help us to look around and see your love

made real in the very human companions

and may we be grateful for your enduring love

that weaves us back together in these hard times. Amen

Believing

When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet’s own country). When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival. Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee. John 4:43-54

We suffer when our children are sick, and when they are gravely ill, we would do anything to save them. The official who begged Jesus to heal his son was violating all sorts of protocols and rules. He was way out of hi comfort zone and risked his job and income for his child. He was hopeful when he drew close to Jesus but also fearful when he was sent away. We too often ask Jesus for what we need but become fearful and afraid. Yet, we find that his timid belief became reality when he heard the good news, and his faith spread through his whole household. May we be those who spread our belief to our whole communities and trust that God is always in the process of bringing healing.

Healing Creator you are the source of blessing

the winds carry new life in these seasons

the rain waters, the sun dries out the earth

and the world blossoms with your gifts.

We are prone to fear and great anxiety daily

we try to fix our problems and mend the hurts

we forget to give you all of our burdens

since you have promised to carry them all.

Help us seek you out in every morning

may we trust in your promise of new life

may our faith be real, active and contagious

so that the world might see and know your love. Amen.

St. Mary the Virgin

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 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.’ Luke 1:46-55

Today is the feast day of Mary who said yes to the Lord and risked everything for the child she carried. We often think of her still as a young woman, yet we know she was at the foot of the cross and was often with her son Jesus and his disciples. Her life was one of sacrifice, a life that many women freely offer so their children might survive and thrive. She protected him as a child and cajoled him into his first miracle. She lived her life so that God might be glorified, despite the pain and suffering, the years of being a refugee, the shunning of her community and all those who gossiped about her and her family. May we too be courageous as Mary, knowing the world will not understand, yet God will continue to bless us.

Marvelous Creator, you chose a young woman

to carry, nurture and protect the savior of the world 

called her to a life of sacrifice, pain and challenge

and always she said yes with joy in her heart.

Too often we are undone by small challenges

too often we see ourselves as overburdened

we feel sorry for ourselves and cry out to you

yet you are carrying us and restoring us always.

Make us courageous and humble like Mary

may we not be broken by the cruelty of the world 

yet joyfully carry you love to our broken world

and praise and rejoice in your love as Mary did. Amen

My Joy Has Been Fulfilled

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized— John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.’ John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.’ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath. John 3:22-36

We find John's disciples confused about roles in this passage from John's Gospel. In truth, we are often overwhelmed and confused by roles. They believed that Jesus was usurping John's importance, while John had understood all along that he roles was to proclaim the Messiah. We humans spend way too much time scrambling for importance and attention while losing our joy. John knew what he had to do and delighted in the fact that he had done what God had asked him to do. May we all remember that we have a role to play in spreading God's love across our communities. 

Gracious Creator, source of all life

you have given us the Messiah's joy

you have called us all to follow you

and you have blessed us every day.

Too often we want what is not ours

we are jealous of others attention 

we ache for a role in the spotlight

and forget we are in your heart always.

Let us be joyful in your blessings

loving because we are fully loved

kind because you forgive us all

and joyful in the roles we have been given. Amen.

God So Loved the World

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’ John 3:1-21

I have been sporadically following the 2024 Olympic coverage, always marveling at the feats of speed, agility and strength we see each day. The amazing young athletes, gathered from around the world, found rivals and friends in one another, and hugged and congratulated each other, despite the differences in languages, cultures, and political stripes. This is the world God so loved. Jesus made it clear that there is not one chosen people whom the Creator loves more than the others. God so loved the whole wide world, the people scattered across the globe and all of this precious creation. At our best, we can compete with one another and still have love for each other. This is where we have been called, to a broken world that needs to see the possibility of love across vast differences.

Loving Creator, you made this beautiful world

and populated it with various shades and kinds

people who speak and see life differently 

yet you sent you Son for all the world to know.

You loved us when we were fighting and unlovely

you love us when we act in violence to one another

you sing to our broken bodies in the darkest nights

reminding us you came to restore the love of all.

Help us today to have your spirit and renewed hope

let us rejoice in difference as a true and holy gift

finding your face and strength in the others

knowing that we are bound together in your love. Amen.

Bread of Life

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 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 forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:35, 41-51

Every culture and ethnic group have breads that are particularly significant to their people. For Indigenous people in this country, frybread is cherished throughout although it is made slightly differently in each community. Frybread is not "traditional" in the true sense, but bread made from the commodities we were given by the federal government. White flour, lard and sometimes milk. Traditionally, Cherokees, my people, made a bean bread called, tuya asuyi gadu, of ground corn and beans and that was our staple. Jesus tells us that he is the bread of life for every community, the staple of life, whether we are far from our traditions or imbedded in our communities. Jesus is the bread that binds us all together and which is life giving to all.

Loving Creator, you feed us at all times

lead us through the storms of our lives

tenderly finding us a holy way forward

and bringing us safely to our homes.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Too often, we leave our familiar people

and wander thinking we know best

finding ourselves lost and aching for home

wishing we could have a taste of the familiar.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

The world can be harsh and terribly violent

we tear at one another when we are hurting

we cry out in our pain, our shame and anger

yet you promise that there is life renewed again.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Help us, Lord, to ready our hearts to receive you

so that we might be your people here and now.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

You have been our ground and our strength

help us to trust in your constant care for everyone. 

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Gracious Lord, renew us for your service here

so the people might be filled and blessed by your love. 

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore. Amen.

Encouragement

Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days. John 2:2-12

I have always found this "first" miracle of Jesus, less about the miracle and more about the relationships. Mother to son, parent to child and all this acted out in front of a crowded and chaotic family wedding. Jesus had disciples but had not performed any miracles. The gospel of John reports that Jesus said it wasn't his time. His whole response to his mother was rather juvenile bordering on rude. Familiar family dynamics, I think. And yet, it is Mary that carried him and Mary who saw when he was ready before Jesus himself could. Often times we don't see our own capacity when those who love us do. May we rely on those who love us to help us see who we truly are, stepping out in faith, despite our reluctance. Even Jesus had very real moments of reluctance and hesitation. May we all be grateful today for those who encouraged us to step out in faith despite our fears.

Gracious Creator, you plant us in communities

surrounding us with wise elders and close family

giving others the eyes to see what we cannot

and hearts to articulate the hopes and possibilities.

We are too often filled with fear and reluctance

fearing that we will not meet the expectations

bound by our real human limits and anxieties

only safe when we are hidden in the crowd.

May we step out today to honor our mentors

our families, our communities and supporters

they need us now to voice their needs and hope

and encourage new miracles in our struggling times. Amen.

Calling and Following

The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’ The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). John 1:29-42

I recently performed a baptism for a family I have gotten to know over the years. I have baptized three of their grandchildren and the whole family loves to participate in the service. It always touches my heart to see folks committed to their faith and willing to follow where they are lead. Everyone was singing together, some of the children were dancing and the adults were sharing their commitment to this child. When the disciples met Jesus, he invited them to come and see. To live together, grow together and learn together. The first disciples gathered their family and friends to move together in faith following the Annointed one who let them come and see. He didn't make rules, he made invitations.

Tender Creator, you sent us the Annointed One 

to teach us how to live together by inviting us

to come and see, live and learn together

to follow you where your love sends us all.

We often feel isolated because we forget

that we are to invite to outcasts and outsiders

not to build walls but to undo all the restrictions

and to help others find a seat at your table.

Help us to be generous and welcoming today

may we remember that we were once all strangers

looking for belonging and a kind invitations

and to throw open our hearts to the all who you call. Amen

Feast of the Transfiguration

Now about eight days after these sayings 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. Luke 9:28-36

Sometimes we don't see the full measure of any given human being. We see our siblings as antagonists one day and best friends the next. We remember the harsh things that were said and hold grudges towards others. Our hurt and our past can often blind us. The disciples were with Jesus all day and night and often didn't see the whole picture. Going up on the mountain with Jesus, they glimpsed him as his true self, as God sees him. I wonder if we really see one another as God sees us? Our human limits, our disabilities, and our flaws, often mask the true beauty that God alone knows. May we live today as those loved by our Creator who sees us complete, whole and forgiven.

Loving Creator, you spoke from the cloud

encouraging the disciples to listen to Jesus

claiming him as the divine and eternal son

the true light, love and savior of the world.

We look at one another and judge ourselves

we compare and contrast and are jealous

we think we see the others as whole persons

when instead we see the things that they lack.

Help us to have the loving eyes of our savior

give us hearts to know others as you do

let us listen to Jesus and be reconciled together

so your love might flow through us here. Amen.
 

Grace and Truth

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

The Gospel of John begins with this wonderful passage which is poetic and memorable. Jesus as the word from the beginning of creation. Yet we often forget that grace and truth are brought by Jesus. The law came through Moses. We all know how to behave, yet it is in Christ that we know grace and truth, forgiveness and reconciliation. We find new life, not because we follow a law but because we were loved from the beginning of creation. And indeed, all of creation was loved from the very beginning. All life can be broken and yet all of our lives are precious and redeemed and redeemable through the grace and truth from the word, Jesus. May we who have received grace and truth, live lives worthy of he who was from the beginning.

Gracious Creator, your Word was from the beginning

and became flesh and lived among us human beings

forgiving, loving, healing and bestowing grace

to all of us who would seek your love in our lives.

We focus on law instead of your grace and truth

we focus on status and gain instead of on love

we judge others harshly yet plead for ourselves

and have not sought your forgiveness at all.

May we live as your grace and truth today

living honestly and humbly with our neighbors

sharing the blessings and gifts you have given

and seeking your way of love for everyone of us. Amen.

Go Quickly and Tell

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ Matthew 28:1-10

The first ones at the tomb of Jesus were two women. The first ones to witness the resurrection and the empty tomb were two or more women in tears, still reeling from the trauma and fear they had experienced. They came to witness, to see the body, to grieve together in the early morning. Instead, they were shocked to see the angel and the empty tomb. The first words they heard were, "do not be afraid!" I'm not sure I could have stopped being afraid at that moment, particularly after all the horrors they had witnessed. They were called to see this incredible moment, and they were sent to tell the story. Despite their trembling hearts, they stepped out in faith and immediately encounter Jesus. May we step out in faith, no matter how terrified we are, trusting that we too will see Jesus.

Wondrous Creator, who changes sorrow to joy

you move away stones and change the story

those who were shunned from witnessed new life

and were empowered to run and tell the good news.

We sometimes feel empowered and then lose heart

we lean too much on our own skill and smarts

yet too often weariness and fear overwhelm us

and we forget we have a wonderful story to share.

Help us be life those first women at the tomb

despite their tears and terrors they went anyway

they stepped out in faith and carried the news

and found the embrace of love along the way. Amen.

From A Distance

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. Matthew 27:55-66

While Joseph of Arimathea claimed the body of Jesus, the women looked on from a distance. They were all very fearful as they lived in occupied territory and could be easily arrested. Joseph was wealthy and powerful, so could do what they could not. He was able to get an audience with the Roman governor, Pilate, and money was probably exchanged. With much money comes much privilege. Some people use their privilege for good, as Jospeh did, and others for their own selfish schemes. The day had been so traumatic and horrific, the disciples and the others did not know what to do. They were in fear for their lives. Joseph blessed them all by using his rank for the care of others. May we all follow Jospeh's lead by using the influence we have for the good of others who cannot speak up without fear of reprisal.

Gracious Creator, you place good people among us

who can wield their wealth and influence for others

who live well and love community even better

and who strive to change the world and bring peace.

Too often wealth and privilege is used to abuse

to make the weak weaker and the wealthy richer

to tear down beneficial institutions and charities

taking huge profits, allowing the poor to go hungry.

May we all use our influence for the care of all

may our hearts be moved by the needs around us

may we see how we can help in traumatic times

and be those who bring peace to our hurting world. Amen.