Sunday September 15, 20024 - Proper 19

Sunday, September 15, 2024-Proper 19

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:27-38

I am writing after celebrating the consecration of Phil LaBelle with the people of the diocese of Olympia. The Rev. Pam Wentz preached and reminded us that we often mistake our cross as something we cannot put down. Yet we are invited by Jesus to willingly bear the pain and suffering of others, shouldering the work of healing and renewal for those who cannot. Jesus offered himself for us, and we can offer ourselves for others, for all the people of this earth, all the beloved children of God. 

A Sunday Litany

Gracious Creator, you show us the holy way

following Jesus on the road of restoring love

the way that lifts up all who are suffering

and give new life to those who are lost.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you.

We human fight and claw our way to the top

we put ourselves over all the others around

treating them with disdain and criticism

failing to see your love working in them.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you.

Make us those who rejoice in all creation

help us protect and care for the most vulnerable

give us the courage to take up heavy crosses

shouldering the load for the silenced and alone.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you.

We often lose our way and hastily turn back

yet you are steadfast and always forgive us.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you.

We think the limits we have define us

yet you know we are your beloved ones.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you.

You are with us and carry the cross alongside

make us joyful as we follow in love's footsteps.

Savior, help us to take up the cross of love and follow you. Amen. 

 

Unbind Him

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

Few us can say we were dead and brought back but most of us can remember a time when we were so bound up with grief, loss, hurt or betrayal that we were dead to the world, cocooned by pain and misery. In this passage from John we find Jesus among dear friends in the midst of great grief. They weep together, Jesus shows them all hoe broken he is by this great loss. Yet he does not stop there. Despite his critics and his friends, he calls Lazarus forth, renewing his life and setting him free. All of us are find ourselves bound up, unable to move forward. To all of us Jesus renews our lives and sets us free. May we have the courage to unbind and set free others.

Loving Creator, who weeps with those who mourn

you sit up in the nights with frightened parents

you stand and hold those who are wracked by grief

and seek out and free those who have been bound.

Some of us make our own chains and bindings

with our constant worry, fears and greediness

we entrap ourselves and one another in chains

and forget that you are in every prison we make.

Free us Lord, so we might serve all the people

unbind us to we might step out in faith and love

let all our prayers be focused on others' freedom

and may we know you hold us close in all our grief. Amen.

Walk While You Have Light

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people* to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah* remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. John 12:27-36

John brings us all the messy human questions and shows us the real human confusion when they come in contact with Jesus. They were as confused as we are now. We struggle to figure out how to follow Jesus in this world filled with division and in our country struggle with the future. Sometimes our personal challenges overwhelm us and we forgot how to go forward. We are invited today to walk in the light, one foot in front of the other, trusting that the way will be illumined for us. We are and will be children of light, the light which pours love on our aching world.

Precious Creator, you speak to our hearts 

you adore us and treat as beloved children 

showering us with light and deep love

leading us step by step bathed in wondrous light.

We are torn by all the division around us

we are pressed down with worry and care

we forget how tenderly you care for us

and often sit stunned, hopeless and afraid.

Make us your children again and again

help us to step up and to step out in faith

carrying your light, carrying your love

bringing hope to all the broken places. Amen.

Bear Much Fruit

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:20-26

Today is the anniversary of the terrible attack on 9/11. So many innocents died that day and so many selfishly offered themselves to rescue victims and recover those who had died. Twenty-three years on and we're still broken by the destruction, vulnerability and all our fears. To this time and place, we hear Jesus remind us that a grain of wheat must fall, die to bear much fruit. I think that is a really hard statement this day. And I am reminded that the hardest thing for me and all humans to do, is to set aside our ego, our pride and our plans so that the community can bear fruit. Jesus offered himself for the whole world, and his sacrifice and incarnate love invites us to offer what we can of ourselves for the suffering and pain of others. God's fruit is healing and reconciliation.

Abundant Creator, who teaches us daily

you call us to bear fruit by self-sacrifice

you show us how love can heal all

and how we can bring the world together.

We are living in selfish and violent times 

we want to be in charge and in control

reluctant to share the abundance we have

and jealous of those who have even more.

Lord, help us to humbly bear good fruit

make us always ready to give up our place

help us to be courageous and ready to fall

so we might become a bountiful garden for all. Amen.

My Help Comes From the Lord

I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore. Psalm 121

I memorized Psalm 121 as a child along with many other bible verses and psalms. For some reason, today, rather than the Gospel for today this came to my mind. We all need protection and help and, in some seasons, we feel so helpless we don't know even what to ask for. We can be so overwhelmed by loss, grief, massive changes and betrayals, that we feel all alone. While in New Mexico for a dear friend's funeral, as we drove through the amazing scenery, mountains striated with colors of all sorts, the words of this Psalm have echoed through my being. A deep, embedded reminder that, these ancient words, that when all else fails, and it will, we can look up to our God, the Creator, who was and is our help, our shade, our keeper, our protection from evil, the one who is with us in every step and every breath we take.

Eternal Creator, you are our hope and stay

you shield us from the terrors of life

you hold us close in the midst of storms

and never leave us even when we feel alone.

We are facing big transitions that shake us

we know cruelty and betrayals around us

we often think you have given us these troubles

forgetting that you our help and shade in all the heat.

Help us to turn to you in our time of discomfort

help us to rejoice in your love in every moment

give us the strength to share your deep care

and may we live and share your love with this world. Amen.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

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

Yesterday, we heard a wonderful homily from Bishop Mark Lattime (Alaska) at Bishop Dave Bailey's service in Farmington, New Mexico. He reminded us all, that despite our differences we were all one flock following the one shepherd, Jesus. We are not strangers or enemies, but a people imbued with a love so deep and so broad that it can find us in our most hidden and broken places. Jesus knows us and we know the sound of his voice, the voice of love incarnate, the voice that does not divide us but rather, calls us all together. Our friend and colleague, Dave Bailey, loved the people he served and lead with a deep and abiding love. May we listen to our great shepherd and hurry to be about love and mending.

Gracious Creator, you tend your vast flock

you gather us when we are hungry and lost

you lead us when we have forgotten the way

and you bring us home to your eternal place.

We wander and whine and seek our own path

we stumble and fall as we crawl through the dark

even when we are stubborn and refuse to listen

you call us, you seek us and bring us back home.

Help us to be a flock who serve with deep love

make us strong to persist in abiding and caring

when the world tells us to tear everything apart

make us your one flock, with one shepherd, Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, September 8, 2024 Proper 18

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Mark 7:24-37

Growing up we always had a dog in our family. When I was a teenager, I loved calling our dog by a variety of names of various vacuum cleaner brands, including Hoover, Electrolux and the like. If there was food involved, no matter what I called our dog, they would come. They would clean up messes with great joy when it involved food. All of us were grateful for all the crumbs the family dog would consume. They were always part of the family. The woman that asked Jesus for the healing of her child was maybe shocked but not intimidated by his rebuff. She knew that the family of God is large and includes all sorts and conditions. Although she was an outsider, she clearly understood the power of God's love. God's love and healing is not limited for those in the know, the club or members of an elite group and her daughter was made better, by the love of God and a Savior that brings healing for us all.

A Sunday Litany

Gracious Creator, who made us one family

we are all part of one heart, one single herd

no matter how far we stray away from you

you make room at the table and call us home.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today.

We separate ourselves from one another

we claim superiority over needy strangers

who seek healing, love and freedom

thinking they don't deserve the love you give.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today.

Some came to you who were real enemies

yet they saw the love shining through it all

they sought you with broken hearts and dreams

and you surrounded them with healing arms.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today.

When we judge and crush others' spirits

you weep with those who have been broken.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today.

When we shun and isolate those in need

you still do not withhold your love from us.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today.

For you have room for all of creation

at your table with overflows with love.

Precious Savior, touch us and make us whole today. Amen.

Lord, I Believe

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains. John 9:18-41

Today we hear the continuing story of a man born blind who Jesus healed and who the religious leaders "drove out." This new way of understanding God, with healing, forgiveness and freedom was not on their agenda and they could not change. Yet the words of the man who had been healed will echo through eternity. "Lord, I believe." Sometimes when all the arguments, attitudes and theologizing get us caught up, we need to just declare our faith and the lack thereof and move on trusting God is with us. Trusting that God will provide the healing, the faith, and the companions to help us on our way.

Loving Creator, you brought us to this earth

which is filled with many peoples and cultures

we abide in a deep tapestry of beauty and confusion

and seek safety and renewal in you our Savior.

We often hang on rules and law when we are in pain

when we don't understand the other we lash out

we drive away those who could teach us about faith

and we demonize those who hear and speak differently.

In you, we find that all people are beloved children

in you, our fears are met with healing and renewal

for you are the love which formed this fragile planet

and you are the divine love that will bring us all home. Amen.

God's Work Revealed

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

We have three daughters, all now grown, and are the delight of our hearts. They are all unique and wonderful humans, and they are sisters still. When they were young there was a good deal of arguments and squabbles. Not so much now. Then, they could quickly be jealous if one got something they didn't have. They may not have wanted it until a sister got it, but they sure wanted it then. They could tell clearly why the other sister didn't deserve it. We humans can be jealous and derogatory all too quickly. The religious leaders of the day were jealous and critical of Jesus, wanting to demean and destroy him in their anger. We are invited by Jesus to rejoice for he declared, " he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him." May we rejoice in healings, blessings and all the good gifts we have been given.

Blessed Creator, you restore our sight

you lift us up when we have fallen down

you give us food and drink in the desert

and restore the people to their communities.

We humans fight over land and resources

yet you are the source of all that is good

we are moved to rage, jealousy and criticism

you always give us your healing and love.

Let our eyes be opened today to see your works

revealed in the outcasts, the blind and frail

let us give thanks for the blessings given

and share freely of the love that binds us together. Amen.

Before Abraham Was, I Was

Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ The Jews answered him, ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. John 8:47-59

The people that mean the most to us are often the people who are kind and accept us as we fully are. Some judge others by looks and status, and we find quickly those are not our friends. We might want to rub elbows with the rich and famous, but we don't want them when we are in need. They cannot see us. From the beginning of time, God's love was pressed in every heart. Some have rejected it and put status over love. Yet Jesus reminds the religious leaders then and us today, that he was around before Abraham. He is the incarnate and sacrificial love which Abraham knew from his beginning. And he is the incarnate love, placed in our hearts, from our beginnings.

Wondrous Creator, you made us in your image

and filled our hearts with your exceptional love

you have given us teachers of great wisdom

and placed us in families to know that love.

So many have been raised without deep love

status, accomplishment and wealth set as the goal

the shine of wealth and status quickly fades away

when a community and people are broken and hurting.

Help us to use the love you have given every day

may our words and actions lift the falling up

may our kindness and compassion be endless

as yours has been before the beginning of all time. Amen.

Hearing God's Word

They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ John 8:33-47

Some people hear voices and talk to God and we deem them as crazy. Some are, of course. And some folks are really committed to listening to God's word, the voice of God speaking to their hearts. The best of prayer is not us speaking but instead, opening our hearts to God. God's word always contains love, no matter what people might say. God says to us we are beloved, and as beloved we need to care for and love others. Anything that ignites us to prejudice, violence, discrimination, and personal gain does not come from the wart of God. Too often we justify ourselves with status, money, respect and the like. God doesn't see any of that. Love cares only for the heart, the place where needed kindness, forgiveness and love flows freely.

Living Creator, you speak to all generations

teaching us to love and care for our neighbors

showing us how to love enemies as friends

and helping us use our hearts to respond to all.

We get caught up in gaining stature and fame

we love the limelight and hate obscurity

we forget that fame will not teach us to love

and all the noise will cancel out God's voice.

Give us ears to hear and open, ready hearts

remake us every day into your beloved family

give us eyes to see the needs in our neighbors

and ready hands to give all that we have today. Amen.

The Truth Will Set You Free - Labor Day 2024

Again, he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ John 8:21-32

Today we celebrate Labor Day in the US. We honor the work of laborers and honor their contributions to our country and communities. Many people see this day as one last summer splurge, one last party before the fall sets in. And into that confusing understanding of this day, Jesus reminds his disciples and us that we will know the truth and it will set us free. Today we honor laborers and yet many in our history have been bound and enslaved. Many governors and bishops took away our native clothing, languages and practices and we were not free to live as who we are. We are invited today to understand that being disciples and knowing truth, means being free to serve others and set them free as well.

Loving Creator, you created us all to be free

and though people have enslaved each other

that was never your design or your desire

you want that all should live freely at home.

We have looked on others as less than us

we have stripped the other of all freedoms

entombing ourselves in ignorance and despair

finding that truth and love are far from us.

Help us to draw close to you this day and always

so we might know the truth and be set free

set free to bring our service, healing and freedom

to a world hurting, aching for your truth and love. Amen.

Sunday, September 1st, 2024 Proper 17

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Proper 17 - Tradition of the Elders

When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

For Native people in the United States, following the traditions of our elders is very important. For many generations we were forbidden to participate in our traditional practices and rituals, and they tried to wipe out our languages. My family has been Christian for many generations, long before removal, and have suffered from the exclusion and discrimination of our government. Despite it all, we have a wonderful resurgence of language and practices. What was once called pagan is now included in much of our worship, since we know there is one God, One Creator. Jesus was challenged by those who practiced their traditions outwardly but showed none of the signs of following the commandments of God. Compassion, humility, service, hospitality and honor are central to our tribal traditions as well as to being a Christian. 

Wondrous Creator, you made all the nations

blessed us with wisdom keepers and leaders

who teach us the way to live a righteous life

which honors you and cares for all people.

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again.

We are too ready to make others into enemies

we are quick to judge and to defile your world

we use the gifts and skills you have given us 

to avoid your call to always love one another.

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again.

We need you in this time and this season

where divisions are deep, and hearts are broken

help us to daily practice your way of love

and mend the circles broken by selfishness.

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again.

You suffered death so we might fully live

let our lives be dedicated to the care of others.

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again.

We ignore your calls to service and love

yet you never give up on any one of us.

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again.

Make our hearts open and our hands clean

so you may be glorified in all the world. 

Lord, cleanse our hearts and make us your people again. Amen.