Chief Cornerstone

He began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.” So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ When they heard this, they said, ‘Heaven forbid!’ But he looked at them and said, ‘What then does this text mean: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people. Luke 20:9-19

We live in a time where there is great tension over security and power. People have taken to the streets to protest our government and the move towards reducing peoples' rights. This nation was founded on the power and rights of the people and a democratic way of living together. In our story from Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner and the evil tenants. This is a truly a story for our time. We are all just tenants here, and not the rightful owners and authority over the land. Our land is a gift from God, the one who creates and sustains us. We often act like we own it, and are very bad stewards of this

glorious planet. We spend our time destroying our enemies, even though they just might be the offspring of the vineyard owner. May we see each other now, as good tenants and good stewards, who do not need to hoard or control, rather take care of the blessings we have been given.

Merciful Creator, you know our every need

you place us in verdant and abundant places

gardens overflowing with water and food

a gorgeous planet dancing with great diversity.

We have given into fear which makes us control

the very gardens that do not belong to us

the very people you have given us as neighbors

the very borders which you do not even see.

Help us to put down our weapons of destruction

and take up rakes, hoes and watering hoses

so the world might be well fed and well cared for

and we might live with gratitude for this world. Amen.

Trinity Sunday 2025

Jesus said to the disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." John 16:12-15

As I write this today, Pride parades are peacefully going on here in Massachusetts, bombs have exchanged between Iran and Israel, and a parade will happen this evening against the backdrop of widespread protests. It feels like we are on the edge of erupting violently as folks here are more divided than eve. Into this tumult, we hear Jesus remind us that we are being, and will be guided, into all truth. God is still in charge, and the one who created us, will speak to our hearts and being peace to our beings. Despite my grave anxieties as today unfolds, I deepen my trust and make peace and healing my prayer. For all truth is born of love and whispered by the spirit. All other loud voices are those of human egos who will and cannot listen to the Spirit, for the Sprit's words of truth are words of love, freedom, justice and peace.

                                A Litany for Trinity Sunday

O Wondrous Creator, the Three in One

you made us in your image of relationship

you tether us to yourself with your Spirit

and guide us through the words and works of Jesus.

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace.

We humans are divided and split apart

separated by color, culture and language

yet you call everyone your beloved family.

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace.

We fail to see you in the stranger and alien

we curse our neighbors and criticize difference

yet You who are varied are One God together.

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace.

Help us to reach the poor and disenfranchised

for doing this we will be following you.

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace.

Let us love those who we cannot understand

for in doing so we will hear your Spirit speak.

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace.

And make us be forgiven and reconciled today

so the world might see the truth of your triune love. 

Holy God, Three in One, help us live your love and peace. Amen.

A House of Prayer

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’ Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, ‘It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’ Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. Luke 19:41-48

Jesus doesn't get angry too often, but he does get furious in the temple, which was to be a most sacred place, a house of prayer. For the Indigenous of this continent, this whole land is a "house" of prayer, a sacred land which is, too often, sold to the highest bidder. Jesus warns the leaders of the temple that defying the holy leads to destruction. We can feel as if we are in times when the holy and sacred are being sold off and denigrated. Others may feel these are righteous times. Jesus invites us to take great care of how we use our time and our spaces, all of which are gifts from the Creator, none of which we can make ourselves. May we all make an effort in the coming days to make every space a place of prayer, places of tender invitation, all places open to the heart of God.

Wondrous Creator, you make the humble holy

you transform deserts into places of comfort

you seek out the lost and those abandoned

and make room for all of us in the world.

We set up fences, strict rules and divisions

buying and selling the sacred as profane

we belittle the honest ones and the alien

and do hear the cries of the people here.

Lord, help us to restore this your temple

may grace and kindness replace greed

may welcome and embrace replace arrest

and may we be carriers of your peace. Amen.

Saint Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. Luke 6:17-23

Enmegahbowh, Ojibwe, was the very first Indigenous priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. He was born in about 1820 and died in 19o2, serving his people and working for peace and concord throughout his life. He helped found St. Columba's mission on the White Earth Reservation. He lived through wars and desperate times in this country, a time when he and all other Native people did not have the right to vote and weren't considered citizens in their own homeland. He lived displaying Christ's true blessedness, in the face of poverty, sorrow, hatred, exclusion and defamation. He honored and loved all people in his midst and brought them good news in the face of very terrifying times. May we, who face uncertain and terrifying times, remember the example of Enmegahbowh, and carry God's love, good new and hope to the people we encounter today.

                                Prayer for the Feast Day of Enmegahbowh

                                        (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

Almighty God, who led your pilgrim people of old by fire and cloud: 

Grant that the ministers of your church, following the example 

of your servant Enmegahbowh, may lead your people

with fiery zeal and gentle humility; through Jesus Christ, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

St. Barnabas

As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town. ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:7-16

"Without grace, there is no hope, with it, there is no shortage." Today we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas, although not one of the original twelve, was an early disciple after the crucifixion and sold his land to give to the church in Jerusalem. Barnabas is called the encourager, the one who helped others with their walk in faith. He brought Paul and introduced him to the disciples, despite the others' reluctance to work with Paul (Saul). Barnabas was Paul's sole support when Paul first became a Christian. He went on many missions with Paul and others, dying in Cyprus. He left a legacy of compassion and encouragement, always faithful and willing to give of himself in challenging circumstances.

Gracious Creator, you give a variety of gifts

we are made to preach, to sing and to love

you made some teachers and some writers

all to tell the story of your eternal love.

We forget the ones who taught us well

thinking we have learned all on our own

we refuse to encourage and support others 

for we are jealous of the gifts you've given.

Let us all be like St. Barnabas this day

so we might encourage the unlikely ones

lift up the lowly, the forgotten and the poor

and be your heart and hands on earth today. Amen.

Today, Salvation Has Come to This House

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’ Luke 19:1-10

I remember singing the song of Zacchaeus in Sunday School quite often.  Zacchaeus was a small man, but very wealthy. His stature kept him from seeing Jesus in the crowd, so he climbed up a tree. We might all remember that. But what we might not remember as well is what happened to Zacchaeus. His life was transformed by this encounter with Jesus. Jesus himself called him by name and sought him out. And, he went to his home, despite the fact that Zacchaeus was despised by the people. The man's heart was moved, and he changed his ways because of this one encounter with the love and relationship with Jesus. What was supposed to be a covert observation became a heart-to-heart encounter. Love took away the need to amass wealth, power and control. May we, when we feel the need to gain control, power or great wealth, remember to seek out Jesus.

Wondrous Creator, you seek us out

you know us each by face and name

you imprint us with your love in our hearts

and call us back when we wander far away.

We humans run after wealth and power

hoping it will cure the aching inside us

we try to control every hour of the day

and often lose sight of your loving ways.

Help us be faithful like Zacchaeus today 

humbling ourselves and climbing down

setting all arrogance and attitudes aside

so we might be transformed by your love again. Amen.

Lord, Let Me See Again

Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. Luke 18:31-43

I have been struggling with an ear infection which is causing me to be temporarily hard of hearing. I have been very frustrated by this, and it is only a few days. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to live, day after day, without sight or hearing. We take so much for granted, our sight, our healing and our health until something goes wrong. Then and only then do we cry out. The man who Jesus healed immediately followed Jesus and glorified God. He was so very grateful. May we today, be grateful for the amazingly normal health we have. May we be grateful in all things, even those things we mostly take for granted.

Wondrous Creator, you give us our senses

so we might look up and see the many star

so we might listen and hear the bird songs

and so we can hear the laughter of children.

We take these gifts for granted too often

and complain about the noise and glare

we cut ourselves off from the world's noise

and don't want to see the need around us.

Let us be those who notice that need today

open our eyes, ears and hearts to others

let us hear and respond to the world's cries

and be your love and presence in this time. Amen.

The Day of Pentecost 2025

The Day of Pentecost 2025

Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you." "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14:8-27

From the Pentecost story in the Acts of the Apostles, we hear Peter quoting the prophet Joel. "`In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy." We have as a church, no matter the denomination, have neglected these incredible words. The gifts of the Spirit are for everyone! Simple and clear, despite how we humans try to keep some folks outside because of race, creed, culture and orientation. Hearts of fire for the love of God and the people is what Pentecost is all about. Our mission from here on out is simply to carry God's love and spirit to those who have been cast out, neglected and shunned.

                                    A Litany for Pentecost

Wondrous Creator, you made us in great diversity

a beautiful array of colors, cultures and languages

and you put your Spirit in the hearts of all people.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love.

We too often live by great fear and exclusion

we do not carry your love to strangers and outcasts

and we fail to see the gifts of the Spirit in others.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love.

You, Lord never discriminate nor cast anyone out 

you embrace the children and elders as they sleep

breathing your spirit upon all flesh across the world.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love.

Give us your Holy Spirit today, Lord Jesus Christ

and make us your disciples as we share your Spirit.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love.

Take away the pride and the arrogant that destroys

and instead make us humble to serve all humankind.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love.

Let this day and every day be an opportunity

to let your Spirit loose to embrace all of the people.

Holy Spirit, come, and fill our beings with God's love. Amen.

 

Yo

Y

Martha and Mary

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ Luke 10:38-42

I had three sisters, but we lost Pegi to cancer in 1990. I know what it is to struggle with a sister who is unwilling to help when work needs doing. I have always struggled with this story of Martha and Mary because Martha is portrayed as petty and focused on the tasks only. And I do understand how important it is to spend time in prayer and listening to the words of Jesus. On the other hand, the lived truth is that there are mouths to feed, things to be cleaned up, real work to be done. Loads of faithful people want to sit at the table and be fed, while few are willing to do the work it takes. Sometimes we need all the Marthas we can collect. And, there are times when we are called to sit and listen, drawing close to Jesus. We are all called to be Marthas and Marys, being willing to do the hard, tedious and unglamorous work. We are also called to sit and listen, refresh and be renew in the love of Christ. There are never to be worker bees and queens among us, but rather all of us should work together and be renewed together.

Gracious Creator, source of all renewal

you draw us close to your heart for healing

and you send us our into the wide world

to be the laborers in your great fields.

Too many of us believe we are the Marys

leaving the others to carry the heavy load

our egos and attitudes exclude getting dirty

and we miss the gifts that real labor provides.

Lord Jesus, help us be humble enough today

so that we may see when work needs doing

pitching in with great joy and full hearts

and see when you call us to be renewed in you. Amen.

Love Your Neighbor

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10:25-37

We can all probably sing some of Fred Rogers lyrics including "won't you be my neighbor". In 1969, he took a stand against racial prejudice and exclusion by inviting Officer Clemmens, played by Francios Clemmens, to cool off in the kiddy pool and Mr. Rogers shared his towel. Although the Civil Rights Act was made law in 1964, much of our country was still very segregated and most pools were. We adults might sneer at his simplicity and folky ways, but he changed television and our country by his simple acts of love and inclusion. We too can change the world with simple acts of mercy and neighborliness. Let us respond yes to Jesus. words, "go and do likewise!"

Loving Creator, you are the source of mercy

you call al people, of all races and creeds your family

Jesus sat down at table with enemies and outcasts

and told us to go and do likewise, showing mercy and love.

Some of us have been taught to fear those different

some are outright afraid of the people that surround them

despite being called to be neighbors across barriers

we hide away and condemn those who are unlike us.

O Lord, give us your power to change the world

may love and mercy be our true calling and work

may we make neighbors of outcasts and strangers

following the way of the good Samaritan and Mr. Rogers. Amen.

Returning with Joy

The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’ Luke 10:17-24

Yesterday I began my June five mile swimming challenge to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I am swimming a half mile at a time over the month. Getting in the water, and beginning, I remember and pray the whole time. Water is sacred for me and all Indigenous people as water is life. It gives me so much joy to be in the water, whether a pool a stream or an ocean. It is holy work for me as I pray while I swim. I pray for those who are suffering with cancer and those who are helping them thrive. The world is such away and the only noise is my breathing, and the water splashed while I am kicking. A year ago, it would have been impossible for me to do this and only by the grace of God am I able. And when I see the hand of our Creator healing the world and offering us love and peace despite all odds, I can only be very grateful and filled with joy.

Loving Creator, you brought the world into being

an orb pulled out of the deep waters for our lives

you offer us a place of sanctuary and healing

and restore the joy we lose as we see so much pain.

We feel as if we are sinking like big stones

sinking and struggling to our head up above it all

we thrash around with great fear, anger and hurt

and ache for a time of floating on gentle waters.

Lord, give us your strength and power today

to find the joy you have put deep into our hearts

so we might go out and share your healing love

and be those who rescue those who are sinking. Amen.

Harvest is Plentiful

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’ The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ Luke 10:1-17

We live in an era where very few people really know what it takes to grow their own food, let alone labor daily in the fields. Most of us purchase food wrapped in plastic and many have it delivered to their front door. We are often at such a distance from the work of our sustenance, we have no idea what labor goes into our food. Jesus, sending the seventy out, is aware that the world may not receive them with open arms and that they would be toiling without much support. Being a disciple and our ministries are often still like this, and many folks want their faith delivered to their door and do not want to participate nor work alongside others. We are invited today to be those out in the fields, laboring for the love of Christ, understanding it was a struggle then, and is a struggle now.

Gracious Creator, source of all goodness

you send snow, rain and sunlight to all

making the crops grow and feeding us

you always provide for all of our needs.

We on the other hand do not want to work

we want our food delivered, an easy life

when the people on the street are starving

we refuse to share our wealth or our time.

Help us be like the seventy who went out

despite having nothing gained everything

make us those who trust you so completely

that your love is made real in the world today. Amen.

Hand to the Plow

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Luke 9:51-62

Jesus, as he prepared for his final passion, his betrayal and death on the cross, seems uncharacteristically unkind and dismissive. He invited folks to follow him, and when they had important things to do, it seems he rejected them. Yet there is something much deeper going on. This time was full or turmoil and political intrigue. Dishonest religious leaders were in league with a dishonest government. People didn't know what to do. Not unlike now, we see terrible things happening and feel helpless to know what to do. Jesus wants us to keep moving forward in faith, keep planting and feeding, welcoming and comforting. Following Jesus in these times might mean be counter cultural, those who are willing to set fear aside and keep plowing and bringing forth the fruits of love.

Gracious Creator, you fill this world with abundance

the blue skies adorn our days, the trees are our arbors

we look up and see the majesty of your garden here

and we ache that all have a place at your endless table.

We are full of fear these days and ache to hide away

yet the world is full of those in need of our strength

we feel weak in the face us such uncontrolled power

and we refuse to help those you have called us to serve.

Strengthen our faith and help us all to follow you

make us brave enough to set aside all excuses

so that we might be those who are acting in love

and carrying those in danger to a safe, welcoming home. Amen.