In My Father's House

'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘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 for ever. 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. John 14:1-17

We hear Jesus, gathered with his disciples, still trying to explain the intimacy and interconnectedness of his relationship to the Father, Creator, God. They accept that he is able to heal and feed and able to understand the depths of the human soul. And yet, they are struggling to understand. Today, we might say Jesus and the Father have identical or related DNA and explain that since we all came from one root, we are intimately connected and interdependent. Today we are invited to live beyond our need for exceptionalism and humbly embrace Jesus' promises to live on the love and power of the Creator.

Divine Creator, we are all your beloved children

in the myriads of beauties, cultures and music

and we are known in the depths of our humanity.

Despite being imprinted with your image and spirit

we doubt and fear and lose our way regularly

only to be gathered up again into your loving arms.

Surround us today, Lord, with your holy grace

so we might be peacemakers with our neighbors

and carry your imprinted love to our aching world. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter 2026

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

I always wished for a better title for the story of Thomas and his doubts. It is very clear that on the day of resurrection the disciples refused to believe the women, and they didn't recognize Jesus on the road. We love to point fingers at those who fail at something, taunting them and sharing the story widely. Yet when we fail, we don't like it pointed out and fail to admit to our failure or our doubt. Thomas was fully human and asked to see Jesus, since he had not been at earlier encounters. The truth of faith is that we waiver, we doubt and when we miss the signs we feel abandoned. Jesus loves Thomas and all of us who are truthful and willing to admit our doubts. May we all pray with Thomas, "help my unbelief!"

Wondrous Creator, who wakes up the darkened world 

by sending sun and rain in the spring to help us hope again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

You made us in your image, yet we fail to notice you

within us, around us, in front of us and behind us.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

As we sink into war and human destruction, you call us

to be people who are filled with hope and love once again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

We cower in our failure and shame as we deny you

yet we cry to you in the deepest darkness of night.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

Let your light and your love permeate our bodies

and fill us again with faith enough to seek your face.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

Make us your children again as we embrace you

and let us never stray from your loving arms again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people. Amen.

Idle Tales

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. 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. Luke 24:1-12

We live in a world lies and false tales are used to cover up other lies and mistruths. We want the truth, yet we can have a hard time separating truth from fiction. When we are overcome, overwhelmed, grieving and feeling lost, nothing can seem true to us. The disciples were in deep grief and afraid for their lives after the resurrection. The women disciples went out to honor Jesus, despite their fears and grief. Their love overcame their fear. And for that, they were able to witness the great victory of love, the resurrection. We don't carry the exact same fears and losses as the disciples, but we can understand them for we too have deep fears and losses and no longer feel like we hear the truth. So, this truth is that God's love for the world overcame death and the grave for the whole world. Love conquered once and for all and that, my dear friends, is a source of endless joy and hope, even in our darkest times.

Loving Creator, you have conquered death

in your offering of your Son living like us

and dying, yet returning, so we might know love.

We have much to fear and many worries

sometimes we huddle in fear and despair.

yet even in the dark you call us each by name.

Help us each to know the true depth of your love

make us brave like to women disciples that morning

ready to open our hearts again to your truth. Amen.

I Am with You Always

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:16-20

My eldest daughter sent me a quote the other day. "Science confirms. You never truly walk alone, your mother's cells live on inside your brain and heart forever." When I received it from her, it made me ache for my mother something fierce. A truly loving woman, who cared for us so well, and so many other people and especially children. I got to wondering whether the disciples felt that kind of ache, an ache so deep and raw, we rarely face it. The trauma of the crucifixion imbedded in their minds. They were thrilled, fearful and a little in doubt. Jesus was with them on the mountain, saying he was going to be leaving and promising to be with them always. They would have preferred the physical Jesus present always, like I ache for my mother always. And we know, if the cells of our mothers live on within us, then the cellular material that is our Creator is present too.

Wondrous Creator, you mark us with your love

giving us signs and wonders to behold at night

and your presence with us throughout the ages.

We feel isolated and alone, mourning for the lost

wishing and aching for their presence once again

thinking you are too far away and very silent.

Lord, help us to feel your presence today

as we serve among those who are your face

and let us trust in your living presence in each of us. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Matthew 28:1-16

One of the most common things spoken by angels is "do not be afraid". This is always spoken to terrified, uncertain people. Jesus says it often too in the Gospels. And we need to hear these words today, as our spirits are terrified, hurting and undone by war and other present atrocities. Behind the scenes in Matthew's Gospel account of the resurrection are political and social manipulations going on at the highest level, always involving money. The faithful women saw Jesus that day assured them of s love and care for them. To all of the troubles and terrors we face today, God speaks to our hearts. "Do not be afraid!"

Loving Creator, author of peace and all healing

you showed your love to the world by raising Jesus

and by promising us all that we have nothing to fear.

We live in troubling, unsettling and terrifying days

when the innocent ones are crushed by the greedy ones

and daily threats of devastation and major calamity.

Help us, dear Lord, to live every day without fear

for you hold us is your loving arms and promise

to be with us in bad times and good, bringing us peace. Amen.

One Alone

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:9-20

This is the "longer" ending of Mark's gospel. We know the first to see Jesus were women, whether it was just one or several, they were there. They returned to the disciples who refused to believe. Yet the women or woman continued to tell the story. Over the years we have honored the many men who were early adopters and believers in the resurrection, but we forget the women who were the first evangelists, the first believers in the resurrected Jesus. Too often, the story is not real until someone of importance tells the story. It reminds us today to listen to the stories of the outsiders, the rejected, the women and children for there might just be new and real evidence of the love of God in Christ.

Blessed Creator, who shares your wonders with us

you make children to restore hope in the elders

and give vision and wisdom to the least likely.

We refuse to believe those who stand alone

we ignore those who do not have power and money

yet you put your heart in the least among us.

List us today from our ignorance and blindness

give us new hearts and new minds to see you

and help us to hear your beautiful stories of the outcasts. Amen.

Terror and Amazement

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8

I have always been amused when someone tell another person, "do not be afraid!" There are many things to be afraid of in this broken world, let alone an angel at the tomb of your friend and teacher. Most humans don't like surprises, especially in times of grief and loss. Jesus' death was so horrid and so public, those images were etched in their minds. They went out to do as tradition prescribed, nothing more. No matter which Gospel tells the story, there is a terrific scene of terror and amazement, and the women carried the astonishing news. God is always the author of amazement and terror, things too wonderful to image. Our limited scope limits our imaginations, and we move always to fear. May we live in this time of amazement and terror, trusting that God is not finished with us yet and there are angels waiting to announce good news.

Wondrous Creator, our beginning and our end

help us move from fear to hope in these days

living with anticipation of new wonders revealed.

You gave us your son who died for us all

and who spoke first to the terrified women

let us be ready to greet you every new morning.

The pains and sorrows of our world are many and deep

we all feel the terror of war and destructive human greed

may we all go out early looking to entertain angels here. Amen.

Easter Day April 5, 2026

Easter Sunday April 5, 2026

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

He is risen, alleluia! We say or shout this in church on Easter, but we often live, as the disciples did, with fear and huddled together. We live as if we are awaiting the resurrection or visible signs that Jesus is alive. It is surely hard to imagine that Jesus lives in times like these when there is war and cruelty around us. Some of those who claim to be followers are Christ treat others and the earth horribly. That first Easter, the disciples didn't really expect him to live again and were afraid of the authorities. The women, in contrast were faithful, knowing the great risk, and doing what they could to honor him. In stepping out in faith and love, they were able to touch the risen Christ first. As the guards stood by in shock, these women witnessed the greatest miracle and the promise of new life for all. May we live with new lives and despite all of the worries we have, be like those women, fearless and faithful always. He is risen, indeed!

Wondrous Creator, who gave us moon and sun

you also gave us new life in your risen Son.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

We hide from trouble and pray in the dark

while those women went anyway for love's sake.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

You promised new life and give it daily

yet we like to put on fears like an old coat.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

That glorious first Easter morning the women

were faithful and witnessed your new life.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

The world needs good news and new life

help us see beyond our troubles to your face.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

You tell everyone of us all to be not afraid

help us bring new life and love to our world. 

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times. Amen.

Good Friday 2026

                      Good Friday - The Passion of Christ

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced." After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 18:1-19:42

The story of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, torture and excruciating crucifixion is one we ache to look away from, get past so we can hide eggs, eat candy, put on our finest and celebrate Easter. Yet there is no Easter without such complete sacrifice, suffering and death. Real human death. It is natural for us to want to look away and wait until it's over. Yet looking on the face of death and human suffering can give us a small window into the depths of the love of God. We can love our families to the moon and back, but we are loved even more profoundly by our Creator. Dwell today in the ugliness of humanity s we might see the true blessings of divine love and freedom.

                            A Litany for Good Friday

Great Creator, author of all of life's blessings

we look on our greed and our cruelty and weep.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Lord Jesus, your sorrow and pain are so deep

yet you offered your life for these frail humans.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

On the cross they nailed you and tortured you

yet you, Lord Jesus loved us to you very end.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

We are selfish, vain, warlike and full of cruelty

yet you love us and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Help us to look on your cross and not turn away

for your love hangs on the cross today and always.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Make us humble, contrite and forgiving each day

for the world needs your sacrificial love today.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world. Amen.

Wednesday in Holy Week

Then he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’ Mark 12:1-11

The parable about the vineyard owner and his workers is often cited for the real story of Jesus' impending death. He is the respected son killed by the greedy workers. We can think it was a parable for his time and not ours. But we have seen, over and over again, folks running governments and churches who think themselves free from consequences. We think we can take what is not ours and run it better, keeping the profits. The gift of the parables is that they remain current. We are not an agrarian society but the images are helpful for us still. As we prepare for the great drama of the passion this week, may we remember the stories and parables we have been told, living lives of honor and justice.

Gracious Creator, you made us in your image

you gave us free will and creative intellect

and stories to teach us how we should live.

 Yet sometimes we think we are the Creator

forgetting your generosity and your love for us

we take what is not ours and claim it for ourselves.

Lord Jesus, help us prepare our hearts today

make us humble and able to listen and see

you incredible sacrifice for the whole world. Amen.

Tuesday in Holy Week

Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.’ They argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why then did you not believe him?” But shall we say, “Of human origin”?’—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ Mark 11:27-33

The religious rulers of the day were obviously threatened by Jesus and were also afraid of the crowds around them. They were desperate to catch Jesus in a lie and show that he was a charlatan and a poser. They did not want to believe that this scruffy country boy was the son of God. Jesus often claimed his connection to the Creator, to all people and the whole earth. This annoyed the religious leaders to no end. He seemed to have power and humility. Some were jealous, yet all new that he was someone amazing, full of compassion and kindness. Yet his willingness to be with the poor, the outcast and the sinners made the terribly uncomfortable. May we not fear those uncomfortable places as Jesus might truly be near.

Marvelous Creator, you walk with us daily

modeling for us a life of deep grace 

teaching us compassion for those suffering.

Lord Jesus, you suffered on the cross for us

offering yourself a sacrifice for all people

living in the humblest and darkest places.

Be with us Lord as we walk this Holy Week

let us feel your presence with us in every breath

and help us seek your face in the darkest times. Amen.

Fig Trees and Faith

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it. Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’ And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’ Mark 11:12-25

Well, it's good to know even Jesus was, at times, hangry. He cursed a fig tree when it didn't have fruit in the off season. And then, completely hungry since there were no figs, he went into the temple and turned tables. It was a righteous act, for they were selling at the highest prices to poor people. And it was a feverish act, the destruction only a hungry person can do. He was like us in many, many ways. And yet, he was different, for in these moments he was also teaching the crowds and his disciples. He taught the disciples, despite his hunger and despite the way the temple had been cheapened, that when we pray, we should forgive those who have hurt us first. Our faith rests, not on our mistakes but our willingness to forgive others and ourselves. 

Wondrous Creator, we begin our Holy walk this week

we stand and sit and kneel in prayer, opening our hearts

and inviting your renewal and forgiveness on our lives.

The world is full of hurting, angry, hungry people

some have the power to destroy others completely

most of us have nothing to offer that will change things.

Yet you have given us the faith to stand and pray

to open our hearts to forgiveness every moment

trusting that you will help us move mountains again. Amen.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday 2026

When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! " When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:1-11

In church this Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday and begin the solemn time of Holy Week. In many parishes, Matthew 21 will be read outside as the palms are blessed, and then they go inside and hear multiple voices read the passion from Matthew 26 and 27. The celebration and thrill of welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as king quickly gives way to the pain and suffering of betrayal and the cross. Easter is coming, but not without a great cost and deep trauma. Our lives can sometimes feel this way. Just when we feel we are understood and loved, the same people turn on us and reject us. Jesus joins us when we suffer and when we are joyous, never far from those who weep and those who laugh. May we enter Holy Week with fear and hope, as we dive deeply in divine love that is with us in our human brokenness and tragedy, for the one who is the holy king of all is also like us in our pain and sorrows.

Wondrous Creator, you made us in your image

and sent your son to be with us in our humanity.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love.

The world is rife with sorrows and violence

we compete and betray to stay on top of others.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love.

Your light and love seem far away at times

and we think we are abandoned and alone.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love.

Help us to enter into this holiest of weeks

seeking to dive deeply in your love for us.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love.

Make us aware of the deep pain of betrayal

let us seek humility and forgiveness here.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love.

Help us to live with hope you implanted in us

and with a small measure of your sacrifice and suffering.

Oh, Lord Jesus, help us to live into your deep sorrow and love. Amen.

On The Road Again

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.’ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’ When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:32-45

Hindsight is twenty-twenty but daily living is often a confusing morass. This reading is preparing us for Holy Week, the great drama of those final days. Yet I suspect that what Jesus was telling them about his death and resurrection did not seem imminent. Now we know different, but then, they could not have imagined the end was so near. We often take each day, each walk, each step as normal, although someday, nothing will seem normal ever again. May we treasure each day and each interaction on the road.

Magnificent Creator, you are Lord of our days

bringing rain and snow to nurture our earth

and give us fruits and grains to fully enjoy.

Yet we are often blind to your words

and we take so much for granted here

and we ache when friends are gone.

Help us be those who honor each day

let us be grateful for each breath we take

and rejoice in the love you have given. Amen.

For God All Things Are Possible

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ Mark 10:17-31

Our story from the Gospel begins with Jesus telling a wealthy young man to sell his possessions and commenting how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. Their response was a very natural one. "Who then can be saved?" As they worry and are afraid for their salvation, Jesus comforts them and honors them for their sacrifices. Which often makes me wonder, "have I given up enough, have I suffered enough...?" We can make ourselves upset when we test our worthiness and fall into giving up and abandoning all. Yet, there words remain with me on my worst days. "For God all things are possible." We are broken people in a very broken world and yet first and foremost God loves us and forgives us over and over.

Wondrous Creator, who fixed the stars in the heavens

and who put breath and life within each one of us

you make possible the impossible with your love.

We rest on our money, our smarts, and our power

until those fail and we panic and cry out to you

help us to learn from our deep need of your love.

Lift us Lord from the despairs of these times

help us see your design for new possibilities

so we might carry your love and justice here. Amen.

The Feast of the Annunciation

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

I often wonder how I would react if a daughter of mine came and told me of having this experience. Mary was young and vulnerable, full of hopes and dreams for the future. In her time, Mary was of little value, except as a wife and a bearer of children. She was not royalty, not an "influencer" or anything noteworthy in particular. God chose her, a frightened teen, to bear the Savior of the world. A nobody becomes the revered mother of God. And today, we remember this moment, when God chose the least, a person like all of us, to carry the Christ child. Mary said yes and may we too say yes to our Creator every morning.

Wondrous Creator, you chose Mary to bear Jesus

a young woman of no status and no big name

to bring our Lord into the midst of humble humans.

We act for fame and glory and fail to see

that we too can carry Jesus' love into the world

yet we spend our time scheming and scraping.

Help us to honor Mary's yes by serving others

carrying Your love into our fractured world

living humbly and selfless as Mary before us. Amen.

Restore Us

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. 

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,  and our tongue with shouts of joy.  

3 Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." 

 4 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. 

 5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev. 

 6 Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. 

 7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy,

   shouldering their sheaves. Psalm 126

Early Tuesday morning, I will head to the airport here in Houston. After a good week in retreat with the House of Bishops, I rejoin the real world. The TSA lines are promised to be long, with patience and kindness completely wrong.  These challenges pale in comparison to the daily challenges of those who live where bombs are dropping and when there are terrible shortages on food. These challenges are also nothing compared to what our soldiers and other service personnel face daily. I hope we can all be faithful in these times, not adding to the distress of others, but instead, pray without ceasing. Our hope is in a Creator who holds us tenderly always.

Eternal Creator, who freed those caught in bondage

Restored the strength of your beloved people

And always bring us safely to our homes.

We are afraid we have been abandoned, Lord

Yet you have promised never to forget us

And rebuild all the vast fields of plenty.

Lord Jesus, teach us to pray without ceasing 

Trusting in your constant and eternal love

And living with your hope in our hearts. Amen.

Stumbling Blocks

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’ Mark 9:42-50

We are reminded today, how easy it is to become a stumbling block for the most vulnerable among us. We have all witnessed well meaning people making others faith journeys, more difficult because they do not understand culture, language, or circumstances. When we live for God and not ourselves, we need to spend a lot of time removing the stumbling blocks in our own hearts, and in the way of others. Our job is to lift others up over the worst challenges they face. We are called to set aside our agenda in order to make the road clear. May we all be those who clear the road for others.

Loving creator you are the God and father of us all

We are your children in every shade and language

Belonging to one family, which you deeply love.

We get so busy in our ministries we failed to see

The sisters and brothers who we have pushed aside

In order to do what we think you’re calling us to do.

Help us to clear the path for others and not add stones

Make us aware of the challenges, other people face

And give us hearts of love to be patient as they walk. Amen.

Fifth Sunday in Lent March 22, 2026

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to 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 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 upward 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.” Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. John 11:1-45

The loss of a love one is always hard. People respond in many different ways to great loss. Martha was probably pretty angry when she saw Jesus coming and wondered why he hadn’t done something sooner. Mary, like her sister, complained to Jesus that her brother could’ve lived if Jesus came. The religious leaders standing by mocked Jesus. All of them were in deep grief, as was Jesus. He stood by the grave with his friends and enemies alike and wept for the loss of Lazarus. No matter how we feel about a particular person, our grief manifested itself in many ways. Jesus did something then that nobody there expected, he called Lazarus from the tomb. Even more surprising Lazarus came out of the tomb. We are invited today to understand that Jesus is weeping with us in our grief and promising new life, even on the edge of death and beyond.

Loving Creator, you are with us at the edge of death

Bringing new songs of Hope of love end of new life.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

We are often unwilling to look again and roll away the stone

We failed to unbind those who are suffering in pain and loss.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

You promise us that there is life beyond this fractured time

And give us the example of Lazarus and your empty tomb.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

We do not often see the bindings we have placed on others

And we suffer alone in our deep loss and great grief.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

Lift us, Lord, from the sufferings of our day and time

And fill us with compassion for those who are deeply grieved.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia.

Give us the faith to trust in your promises and your word

That we have eternal life and can be healed even now.

All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave make our song alleluia. Amen.

Changed

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’Mark 9:2-13

We will all be one day changed. Early on in my ministry, I lost my sister. As I entered her hospital room in Florida, I saw her in her full beauty. I flew in from Baltimore and was anxious about what I’d see. She was a beautiful woman, and I didn’t want to witness devastation. Lying on her hospital bed between my parents who stood next to her, she seemed to almost glow. In that moment, I knew a little bit about the disciples experience. They witnessed the fullness of Jesus in relationship to his creator and time. What’s a witness gave them hope for the days ahead. As Jesus turned his face to Jerusalem, They could remember that experience and have hope. Today let us remember those moments that allowed us to see the fullness of God’s beauty and glory.

Eternal creator, your glory fills the sky

You write your love with each sunrise and sunset

We see your majesty in the faces we love.

Many of our days can seem dark and hopeless

Loss and pain can hide your glory from us

And we failed to be grateful for the love in our lives.

Lord Jesus, help us to know we are in your hands every moment

Help us to live with a joy of your eternity and faithfulness

And make us fearless in times of great fear and great sorrow.

Take Up Your Cross

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.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’Mark 8:27-9:1

We love talking about taking up our cross and following Jesus. Yet, we adorn ourselves with crosses on our necks and ears, but refuse to take on real burdens and give us much of anything. We are fickle and scared like Peter, unable to live a life of true sacrifice and service. We like our comforts too much. I know I do.Yet, we are called to live a sacrificial life meaning one that we give up our idea of how it should be, give up control and let God‘s Holy Spirit dwell deeply in us. It is hard to give up the driver seat, the place of authority, and what we know best to enter a humble place of unknowing. 

Gracious Creator, you give us free well to choose our path

Promising to bring us light and love in all places

And calling us to live humbly before you and in the world.

We spend our lives building, wealth and education

Reveling in our authority, power and respect

So that they become are complete vulnerability.

Help us, Lord to take up our cross and follow you

To the places where your light has been dimmed

Being humble and serving the needs of others. Amen.

Like Trees Walking

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’ They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Can you see anything?’ And the man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village. Mark 8:11-26

We often miss the signs of God’s love around us. We fail to see and know the goodness we have received. We are too often like the Pharisees. We like our routines so much we can be blind to blessings right in front of us. Prior to this tender healing of the blind man, the disciples had been acting like they were blind, deaf and forgetful, not recalling the many miracles they witnessed when they were hungry. Too often, pain takes over when we are hungry, anxious and judgmental. Recalling the blessings in our lives, and expressing our gratitude for them opens our eyes, minds and hearts to see new blessings.

Abundant Creator, you fill the word with blessings

Green life reappearing from cold, frozen ground

And Fearful hearts and minds free to love again.

We are full of fear and doubt these cold days

Feeling that we have been left on our own

Forgetting to trust in your love and mercy.

Help us today to see the miracles around us

Open our hearts with gratitude and forgiveness 

And let your people come alive once again. Amen.

St. Patrick's Day

In those days when there was again a great crowd without anything to eat, he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way—and some of them have come from a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They said, ‘Seven.’ Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd. They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed. They ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over seven baskets full. Now there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. Mark 8:1-10

I will be traveling to the House of Bishop on March 17th the feast day of St. Patrick. Below is information to help understand what a gift he was.

Patrick was born about 390, in southwest Britain, somewhere between the Severn and the Clyde rivers, son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When about sixteen years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. Until this time, he had, by his own account, cared nothing for God, but now he turned to God for help. After six years, he either escaped or was freed, made his way to a port 200 miles away, and there persuaded some sailors to take him onto their ship. He returned to his family much changed, and began to prepare for the priesthood, and to study the Bible. Around 435, Patrick was commissioned, perhaps by bishops in Gaul and perhaps by the Pope, to go to Ireland as a bishop and missionary.  Patrick made his headquarters at Armagh in the North, where he built a school, and had the protection of the local monarch. From this base he made extensive missionary journeys, with considerable success. To say that he single-handedly turned Ireland from a pagan to a Christian country is an exaggeration, but is not far from the truth. 

Almost everything we know about him comes from his own writings, available in English in the Ancient Christian Writers series. He has left us an autobiography (called the Confessio), a Letter to Coroticus in which he denounces the slave trade and rebukes the British chieftain Coroticus for taking part in it, and the Lorica (or "Breastplate" a poem of disputed authorship traditionally attributed to Patrick), a work that has been called "part prayer, part anthem, and part incantation." The Lorica is a truly magnificent hymn, found today in many hymnals. (First two stanzas below)

   I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. 

   I bind this day to me forever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; his baptism in the Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spiced tomb; 
      his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom:  I bind unto myself today. 

Be Opened

From there he 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

Again, a wonderful scene where Jesus is confronted by a fierce and determined mother. Jesus has welcomed women, crossed all sorts of barriers yet he pushed back on this frantic mother, a Gentile. She blows back with the most wonderful response, which seems to delight Jesus. She is open to his healing because her heart is torn open by love for her child. The man who was deaf found Jesus who said "be opened." Whether physical, emotional and spiritual, we are called to be open to new healing, new possibilities and the surprising and wondrous acts of God.

Wondrous Creator, you open hearts locked down

you renew and heal the earth we have ruptured

and you send the spring rains to remind us to hope.

We are closed down, sad and totally overwhelmed

the world seems wobbly and spinning off her axis

and we are hunkered down because of our fear.

Melt our hearts with your radiant loving light

help us to open our hearts again to your love

and open our eyes to see those needing love and care. Amen.