Feast of Samson Occom

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

Today we celebrate Samson Occum, Mohegan, and Presbyterian minister. He lived from 1723 to 1792, interesting and turbulent times in this land. He was highly educated and worked tirelessly, preaching and serving many tribes and helping support his teacher Eleazar Wheelock, who had founded an Indian charity school in Lebanon, Connecticut. He traveled across Britian to raise money for Wheelock, who was founding a college for Native people. When he returned, Wheelock had moved away from Mohegan, Connecticut to New Hampshire and stopped caring for Occom's family. Wheelock took the money Occom had raised and founded Dartmouth. Despite such a betrayal, Occom continued his ministry and worked with many tribes in the Northeast. He was faithful despite countless betrayals. May we be faithful, despite betrayals and hurts in these turbulent times.

" I wou’d not have Come over like a fool as I did, Without any Countenance from our Board, but I am Will Still to be a fool for Christ Sake -- This Eleviate[s] my Heart amidst all my Burdens, and Balances all my Sorrows at Times, or enables me to bear my Trials, that I am in the way of my Duty, and the Lord uses me in any Shape to promote his Kingdom in the World…" Occom's letter from the UK to Wheelock

Loving Creator, you put your spirit in all hearts

a myriad of faithful has served you so well

despite the cruelty of racism and deep ignorance

you gave Samson Occom strength and courage.

We tend to give up in times of deep betrayal

aching to hide away within secured walls

yet you renewed his spirit and gave him great hope

in a time when his people were under attack.

Help us to be more like Samson Occom

may we study and abide in your great love

living beyond betrayals and cruel slanders

to share your love with all we meet today. Amen.

and 

Sunday, July 13th, 2025 - Proper 10

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 traveling 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 live in a time when too many folks have been declared as enemies, outcasts and illegal. In Jesus' time, Samaritans were the "other", the outcast and enemy. The good, religious people pass the man by, for fear maybe, or not wanting to get involved. It is likewise in these times. It is always time to show mercy; it is always the time to see everyone as our neighbors. Yes, we live in times of conflict and great fear. Yet, the times that Jesus lived in were no less fraught and scary. Their homeland was occupied by a foreign government. The religious leaders judged everyone's behavior harshly. Jesus loved and healed people despite all of that. We are invited to be kind and loving, bringing mercy to those who no one will stop for, who others are afraid of, and who in their difference are cast aside.

                                        A Litany for Sunday July 13th, 2025

Wondrous Creator, you give us your peace

so we might spread peace and mercy here

while we live on this sacred and fragile planet.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

We have turned former friends into enemies

for they look, speak and pray differently

those you see no difference among people.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

The times are full of cruelty and judgment

yet you know we humans can do more than hate

we can love our neighbor and change our world.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by our fears

help us to shake off the fear and care for others.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

We try to hide behind our gates and our walls

but you see the need and call us to respond today.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise.

Make us your people again, Lord, as we venture out

carrying your love, your mercy and your justice.

Lord Jesus, empower us so we can go and do likewise. Amen.

Prepare the Way

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

Years ago, I was asked to help prepare for an historic service to take place at Jamestown in 1997. Indigenous people from all over our church, in preparation for the 400th anniversary of the landing and settlement at Jamestown, gathered to call the church to a new way of Native ministries. Instead of mission to and for, we would focus on a ministry of Native peoples by the church remembering the past, repenting for the past and reconciling for the future. I went out to visit Chief Webster Custalow, bringing tobacco and other gifts, to ask his permission to hold this service on the traditional lands of the Mattaponi and to invite him to participate. I sat with him for hours as he regaled me with stories about his life. He was well into his eighties then. Preparation requires time to listen, to open up to new ways of understanding, and doing the hard work of making space for the surprisingly new.

Gracious Creator, you send us to prepare the way

putting your love and wonder in our hearts

giving us the strength to forge new relationships

and empowering us to carry your good news.

Often, we humans want the way prepared for us

we do not want the hard work and the challenge

wo like the familiar and the comfortable things

yet you call us to discomfort that paves the way for love.

Help us to get up and prepare your way today

let our fears and restrains fall away so love is here

make us take the small steps that can change everything

and baptize us again in your Holy name for service. Amen.

Peace Be with You

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:36-53

When Jesus offered peace, the disciples were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. From this distance, it would be easy to dismiss their fears, yet they lived in a climate of fear. They were in a locked room trying to protect themselves from arrest. They were enemies of the occupying government. They were enemies of the religious leadership. They had every right to be afraid. Although some saw Jesus on the road, the whole group hadn't, and they dismissed the women as being hysterical. Only when he ate in their presence, did they see Jesus for who he really was. He reminded them of his promise and blessed them. We find ourselves in scary times, when good people are being rounded up and greed rules the land. It is easy for us in our fear and anger, to miss seeing Jesus, to miss the promises and the blessings. May we remind ourselves of his promises and be agents of his blessing.

Loving Savior, you suffered so we might live

you know the trials of those arrested and in prison

you understand the life of those falsely accused

and you bring blessings despite horrid human behavior.

Our time is one of distrust, greed and slander

we hear our leaders call good people horrible things

so may are unsafe because of their skin color

their language and orientation make them suspect.

Let us leave our locked rooms and safe havens

so we might receive the blessings of the spirit

give us eyes to see you here in these hard times

so we might share your love with an aching world. Amen.

Breaking Bread

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:12-35

The disciples on the road to Emmaus encountered a man they did not know. They poured their hearts out to him, sharing the miraculous and impossible news that their friend and teacher was alive. They told all of this to the living Jesus without recognizing him. Not until he ate with them, did they know him. And it is true, for all of us, that we don't really know someone until we sit at table with them. They were so wrapped up in their own pain, their own stories, their own anxiety, that they didn't see him. We are invited today to see Jesus, by willingly sitting at table with strangers. Sharing bread with them just might show us Jesus.

Precious Savior, you brought new life to many 

suffering pain and death for every one of us.

You sat at table with the outcasts and refugees

and loved those who were rejected by society.

We curate our lives so we can feel grand and safe

we hide behind walls of class, race and culture

we bury our fear by acting superior and judging

yet you know us at the table in the breaking of bread.

Make us always ready to invite the stranger

help us make room at our tables for the outcasts

use us to mend the broken circles in this world

and help us to see you at the humblest of tables. Amen.

Disbelief

Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. Luke 23:56-24:11

They were weeping as they went to the tomb, carrying the oil and spices for his final burial preparation. Whispering and crying, doing their duty, these women went out of love and duty to their friend's burial site. They were careful since there were guards and soldiers milling around. Imagine how they felt when his body was not there and imagine their terror when the angels appeared. The angels reminded them of Jesus' words, and they ran to tell the disciples the exciting news, only to be told they were making things up and out of their minds. Everyone was doing what they thought right and expected, and they were all wrong. The disciples would believe the women only after their own encounters with the risen Jesus. We live in a world of acceptable lies and half-truths. Yet, we are called to live with hope, live with undeserved joy, live with love despite the world's cruelty. That joy of that first Easter morning is ours to have, day by day, as we believe.

Loving Creator, you show your truth to us

to small children with eyes wide open

to brokenhearted women doing their chores

and to the blind and broken who reach out to you.

We are all skeptics now not believing anyone

we think it is made up or generated by AI

we forget how you love us even here and now

and scream in the night while fears overwhelm.

Help us be like the women at the tomb

who despite their deep pain carried the news

they carried your love and hope again

and called the disciples to seek anew. Amen.

Darkness Over the Land

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:44-56

In the daily office readings for today, our Gospel tells of the death of Jesus. The sky darkened, the temple curtain was torn in two, and many who witnessed the drama knew the world had changed in their seeing. Like us, they did not know how life would be different, but they just knew it would be. In the midst of the stunned disbelief and panic, Joseph comes and helped the disciples, family, friends and disciples, take care of his body and begin to grieve. We all need folks who can help our stunned confusion when the world darkens and changes around us. Joseph played a small part, it would seem, but changed the world in his doing. He set the stage for a decent burial place, a quiet garden that would be the scene of the resurrection. May we be those, when the day darkens for others, who can help folks in their pain and confusion.

Gracious Creator, source of help in troubled times

you brought Joseph to help the grieving disciples

you sent angels to sing to the frightened shepherds

and you send us help in our hour of greatest need.

Too often, we want to be the star of the show

when you have called us to be helping hands

too often, we are jealous of others and angry

failing to see their deep pain and grave needs.

Help us Lord, to live our daily lives like Joseph

willing to help the hurting and those in darkness

let us be those who see the need and lovingly respond

so we might all see and share the glorious gifts of new life. Amen.

Sunday, July 6th, 2025, Proper Six

                                                        Sunday July 6, 2025

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.' "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!" 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." Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus sent out seventy in pairs to share the good news of God's love and peace. They were going out, without provisions, in a time that was very fragile, soldiers and military in the streets in an occupied country. Very few felt safe in these times. Yet they went out, trusting that God's love would protect them and that they could bring healing and peace to the people that accepted them. We often think of only the twelve disciples who were empowered. Here is the story of the rest of us, in times to similar to those, who are called to go out and carry God's love with us to a hurting and frightened world. This is not a story of celebrity but a story of humility, being one with the people most needing God's grace, love and peace. May we too be empowered to carry God's love healing and peace today.

Wondrous Creator, you put your heart in all people

giving us the power to spread peace and healing

equipping us with what we need for our journey.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

We are fearful and confused in these times

we forget that others before us were likewise scared

and that they were simple people saying yes to you.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

Your disciples often doubted and were afraid as well

yet you walked with them and you walk with us.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

We want our ease and comfort but you've called us

to step our beyond the gate and love our neighbors.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

We pretend to care about the poor and the needy

yet we often cross the road to the other side in fear.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

Take our frightened hearts and make them bold

put our feet on the path of your love and peace.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.

Lord, you will give us your strength in every breath

help us to embrace our neighbors with your peace today.

Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love. Amen.

Independence Day

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

My family hosted the bicycle parade in our little town for over forty years. Everyone ended up on our front lawn for refreshments. Neighbors, friends and strangers all gathered together to celebrate. We sometimes had upwards to 500 bicycles riders and their families gathered with us. My Dad was a Navy Chaplain, and we all celebrated with gusto. The commitment to justice, equality and freedom was so very important. Today, I am not sure how to celebrate. I love this nation and this land, but my heart breaks when I see folks mistreated and imprisoned just for wanting a better life. We seem to be hurting our neighbors, seeking our perfection rather than God's. God perfection is found in love, a love that does not seek to destroy perceived enemies but rather loves those who the world hates.

Loving Creator, perfect author of perfect love

you call us to love those who are hard to love

and make a place for the alien and stranger

treating all of creation as our true relations.

We enjoy too much the vilification of enemies

we enjoy distrusting our neighbors and strangers

we forget to love as you have called us to love

and in so doing move far away from your heart.

Help us to return to love on this Independence Day

give us the resolve to accept others as you do

make us humble and always forgiving of difference

as you have loved us all in our vast and wonderful diversity. Amen.

Healing - Second Reflection

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

                                                            Healing

We humans want to be made whole, and we often want easy resolution to our sickness. Some of us suffer from physical ills that life threatening and recent. Others are caught in a years' long, progressive illness that debilitates everything from our work to our relationships. And some are broken from deep, severe trauma. All of us have need for healing.  There are ads everywhere for "medicines" that will change our lives, from weight loss drugs and hacks to promised life changing equipment and natural formulas. Most of us have learned the hard way, that it is never so simple. We can go broke very easily. And yet, here we have a story of a paralyzed man, carried around on a bed. He had no view of anything save the sky and trees, and had to rely on friends for any movement at all. Jesus saw him, saw his friends and was so very moved. Despite the loud noise and objections of the religious leaders, Jesus declared his sins were forgiven and then instructed him to get up and walk. The man listened to Jesus and that is our work today, to listen to Jesus and participate in our healing. Some may only be able to accept forgiveness, and some of us may be able to carry another's bed. We are all invited by Jesus to join in healing, with faith, hope and loving care for others.

Gracious Creator, giver of life and healing

you live among the suffering and outcast

you see those weeping in their homes

shut away from the beauty of your world.

We often put our faith in all the wrong things

spend money carelessly to make us better

yet you call us to carry each other and believe

that love can cure the brokenness of our world.

Make us full of faith despite the enormous pain

fill us with your hope despite all the darkness

open our hearts to those who can carry us

and help us to see and carry those who need us today. Amen.

Cruelty and Abuse

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Luke 23:1-12

Herod and Pilate were bitter enemies as they vied for power and control. Neither was native to the land they ruled and were treated with all princely honors. But they both wanted more. The need for wealth and power overpowers our human desire for compassion and concern. Two leaders became friends in their joint hate of Jesus, the one who disturbed them and made them examine their own behaviors. They did not want to lose control, and Jesus was a threat to that since he encouraged a place and welcome for all. Jesus wanted all people fed, comforted, healed and free. Now powermongers can't stand that. They need people to behave a certain way and always be loyal to them. We are reminded in these times, to remember who became close in their hate of Jesus' ways, Herod and Pilate. May we always follow Jesus' way of compassion, welcome, healing and freedom.

Lord Jesus, greed and corruption hates you

yet you did not defend the love God gave you

you did not strike them or cast them out

for you loved them despite their wicked ways.

We too can make friends who help us hate

we can define our lives by refusal to love

we can say and do things that seem righteous

and yet you know our hearts all too well.

Help us in this time of cruelty and abuse

to perpetuate love in our words and actions

may God's love break forth in the darkest places

and your light shine through the deepest pain. Amen.

Mocking and Beating

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ They kept heaping many other insults on him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’ Luke 22:63-71

Whether they are images from the movies or images from our own life, we can all recall and vividly remember how it felt to be mocked, teased and even beaten. We live in a time when name-calling, mockery and verbal abuse seems to be the norm, and these behaviors always lead to some form of violence. When folks have the need to mock and abuse others, it often shows their own vulnerability, their lack of faith and personal grounding. They need to wound others to feel better. Jesus is at the hands of jailers, men with the least important, least glamorous job at the time. Their lack of true authority gets acted out in their abuse. May we pay attention to our own need to abuse and mock, and take it as a sign to self-examine, pray and draw close to Jesus, who despite how his abuser acted, did not return hate and abuse.

Precious Savior, you know abuse firsthand

you did not return hate for more hate

you forgave the convicted felons on the cross

and love the angriest and hurting among us.

We humans love a good fight to cheer on

pretending to be above the violence here

yet we often answer with crass cruel words

and demean ourselves by demeaning others.

Lord, help us today to examine our hearts

let us name our failings and not blame others

for only your words of love will bring healing

and following you is the only path to life. Amen.