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.’ Matthew 28:1-10

It is easy to tell someone not to be afraid, it's another thing to be able to be unafraid. The women that loved Jesus had spent days in terror, fearing for their lives and the lives of Jesus' followers. Despite all the reasons to be afraid, they did not stay hidden and went out to the tomb. We would forgive them for hiding, but they chose to walk into a dangerous situation for the love and care of their teacher and friend. They expected to find armed guards who would send them away. Instead, they found a stone rolled away, an angel to greet them and guards either asleep or stunned. They went and they stayed, despite all the fear and personal danger and in doing so, they witnessed the resurrection. Jesus restored to life, stood in front of them and made them the first evangelists. May we remember, when we are afraid, we might just find Jesus in the midst of it all.

Wondrous Creator, who seeds hope in dark clouds

who makes miracles to happen to the least of us

you call us to be unafraid even in the scariest times.

We believe that there is nothing new to witness or tell

yet you move in every generation and bring new hope

so that the unlikely ones might witness your glory.

Take away our fear, Lord, and make us go forth in love

for you love this broken world and all to creation here

and daily send angels to show us your living presence today. Amen.

From A Distance

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

There was so much political intrigue and danger for the women followers of Jesus, they could only watch while another took his body and laid it in a tomb rolling a stone in they way. Pilate and the religious leaders were afraid that Jesus' body might be stolen so they put armed guards on watch. What a thing to have to watch from a distance rather than tend to the body of a beloved friend and teacher! How painful it must have been for those women. Yet, they persisted, were faithful, despite their pain, hung on despite all of the dangers, and their faithfulness would let them see the risen Jesus.

Creator of deep mystery and great light

your creation groans in pain and fear

and you provide us with miracles daily.

We think we have to win at everything

yet we know deep inside we always fail

when we are distant from your loving embrace.

Hold us close, wondrous and eternal love

so we might persist and be always faithful

and see the risen Jesus here with us today. Amen.

The Philadelphia Eleven

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 24:1-11

52 years ago, today, eleven women were ordained priests. Merrill Bittner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Allision Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeannette Pickard, Betty Bone Schiess, Katrina Swanson and Nancy Witting put their lives on the line so that others might follow. They were mocked, threatened, abused and subject to all means of discrimination. Several would become my teachers and friends. Bishops Daniel Corrigan, Robert Dewitt, and Edward Welles took on the responsibility of changing the church and giving women a true place among the clergy and, in time, bishops. Their extraordinary witness, their sacrifice, has made it possible for the world-wide Anglican Communion to include women as priests and bishops. We have a female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally. Like the women at the tomb, these faithful women were met with disbelief and troubles. Yet they persisted, and I am forever grateful for their honesty, faith, humility and sacrifice.

Gracious Creator, you made a vast array of humankind

giving voices and skills to all of your lovely creation

and you have given us hearts of inclusion and love.

Our society's rules have changed over the decades

but women are still at risk for violence and abuse

and many are uncomfortable with women leaders.

Help us, Dear Lord, to welcome difference openly

put aside our fears and move us to welcoming

and make our heart ready to carry the Good News. Amen.

Save Yourself

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’ Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.” ’ The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. Matthew 27:32-44

We forget sometimes how easily folks turn on one another. In pain, fear and sadness we often strike out at people who have done nothing, mocking and abusing them in our own pain. We see too many people today blaming their pain and shortcomings on immigrants and refugees, who have done nothing to them and are only seeking a better life. Jesus hung between two criminals and the pain must have been unbearable for them all. Yet Jesus did not taunt them or respond, even as the crowds, who enjoyed hanging and crucifixion, mocked him too. We might think are above that now, but some sit and watch reality TV and mock the losers. May we today have passion for those who are being tortured and abused simply for who they are. Jesus took on all our sorrow and pain so that we might be beacon of hope for the suffering.

Tender Creator, who suffers with the sorrowing

you teach us to live with genuine love and compassion

and give us your Son so we might see how to live.

This world is bathed in blood and violence now

we think we are less primitive but enjoy the spectacle

and try to step on those who are already downtrodden.

Lift us Lord, from our base, cruel words and actions

and soften hand and hearts so we might embrace others

who need to know the One who suffers with us always. Amen.

A Crown of Thorns

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:24-31

This passage from Matthew seems ill-placed on a beautiful summers' day. The morning broke crisp and cool, the light dancing through all the green leaves. We want to turn away from the torture, pain and suffering that Jesus endured for who he was. Right now, in our country people are being mocked and tortured for who they are. Across the world, folks are suffering unimaginable pain for just being who they are and where they were born. This passage is here to remind us to look and see what is happening around us, look and see Jesus in those being tortured. The living God who came to dwell with us, dwells with us still in the suffering and deep pain in this world.

Loving Creator, you breathe life into every one of us

and call us home when our short time here is complete

walking with us as we journey through this lifetime.

We think we rule these days and try to control others

we torture and mock those who we assume are different

and imprison the aliens who come here to have life.

Lord Jesus, help us to see the pain and suffering here

help us to act and care for those who are being mocked

and live a life of sacrifice for the sake of your divine love. Amen.

Sunday, July 26th, 2026, Proper 12

Sunday, Jul 26th, 2026

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

There was a story about a couple who were dining at a restaurant near my hometown along the ocean and ordered oysters. They were there celebrating their anniversary and had a year that was not their happiest. Times had been tough. As the woman looked at her plate of raw oysters, she was astounded, for there was a huge pearl sitting right in the middle of her gooey, delicious appetizer. Everyone was amazed and gathered round. She was excited and terrified, wondering if she could keep it. Turned out it was worth tens of thousands of dollars after appraisal, and she was able to keep it. The kingdom of heaven here on earth is always surprising us, always giving us more than we can imagine and thrilling us with new gifts and challenges every day.

Wondrous Creator, who made pearls to spin in the sea

and waters and breeze to renew our hope in life itself.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew.

We often forget the gifts your give to us in each season

as we would rather have uninterrupted safe routine.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew.

Yet your kingdom is always both incredible gift and challenge

a world of hope in the darkness and light in the worst storms.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew.

Give us eyes to see the blessings sitting in front of us

help us to let go of the burdens we've gathered behind us.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew.

Make us strong enough to bear the weight of worry and fear

and soft enough to embrace the wonders each day holds.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew.

Make us citizens of your kingdom in these times of confusion

so we might shine with your light today an bear it forward always.

Lord Jesus, make us both wise and curious so we might welcome you anew. Amen.

30 Pieces of Silver

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.’ After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason, that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’ Matthew 27:1-10

We can easily condemn Judas, believing we would never behave like him and betray his teacher. Yet, all too often, we can find ourselves in situations where the right and wrong are not clear. Judas had been painted with an evil brush, yet within each of us, there is the capacity to use a situation to our own advantage. Taking a big salary and keeping quiet, taking a role that destroys someone else, stealing a friend away from another. We have all been tempted and most of us have given in. We all have fields of blood that we can't pass by or think on. May we today be encouraged to live humbly, with integrity and honor, something our world isn't demonstrating particularly well right now. 

Wondrous Creator, you give us free will and choice

we give us a verdant world we can enjoy in our lives

and give us power to share the wealth or to dominate.

We condemn the Judas acts as we participate in them

we are selfish, desire and demand the very best for us

and take away from the weak and the needy every day.

Help us Lord to live honestly and humbly today

putting others' needs before us and sharing what we can

so the world might know you rose again so we might all live. Amen.

The Sad Shame of Denial

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75

Peter was one of the closest to Jesus and Jesus built the church on Peter and others like him. And yet Peter openly denied even knowing Jesus one fateful night, right? Fear does terrible things to many of us, including denying who we really are and denying knowing someone who is now in trouble. All the sycophants who hover around seats of power scatter when the leader is in trouble, we see it so often in our world. Peter's denial is raw, and human, really what any of us would do in these circumstances. Jesus founded the church on the most human, fragile and fearful beings and we live daily with those blessings and those consequences. We can only hope to be like Peter, who lived to bring honor to Jesus and to humbly follow him in this very broken world.

Blessed Creator, you set us on safe waters with good wind

help us to find safe harbors and lives of abundance and joy

while we often aren't grateful nor see the blessings we are given.

Too often we chart our own course and are terribly stubborn

so when we get in trouble, as we will, we cry in the night storms

and beg for your help which has always been with each of us.

Today, make us grateful, honest and willing to admit our fears

so your love can overcome all we face in this harsh world today

and bring honor to you as we humbly follow you in these times. Amen.

Mary Magdalene

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:11-18

Today is the feast of Mary Magdalene. She was either alone or with the other women at the tomb. We know some thought her a fallen woman, yet whatever was thought and is thought of her, she was the first or among the first to proclaim the resurrection. In some Gospel stories, we hear that no one believed her, but she kept her story and refused to be silenced. Throughout the history of our faith, too many women have been silenced, shunned and put away. Yet Mary Magdalene and others remind us that our faithfulness will always carry the good news, and we can carry good news as we serve the world in Jesus' name. It never matters how others see us, it matters how God knows us.

Precious Creator, who gives your truth to all people

you gave Mary eyes to see and ear to hear Good news

and made her courageous telling her eyewitness story.

We live in times when many are shunned and silenced

society has made into evil what you have called good

and forgotten to listen to your truth and commands.

Let us today, in honor of Mary Magdalene, live fully

sharing your good news to all who will embrace it

and living your love in these challenging times. Amen.

Put Your Swords Away

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:47-56

Normal human responses, when we feel threatened, usually include freeze, flight or fight. In this passage of the arrest in the garden, all those responses were in play. And in these times, they all seem to be in play as well. More bombs seem to be the answer rather than true peace. Some stand by and watch in shock, frozen and unable to do anything. And some of us run away. Even in the moment when he was being arrested, Jesus was able to calm the crowd, and move from violence to a peaceful resolution. May we follow his example and more others from terror and violence into peace.

Wondrous Creator, who offered your Son for all

you teach us to turn from all violence to peace

as we learn to see our enemies as friends and neighbors.

The world is crippled by war and deep acrimony

moving to swords and name calling all too quickly

refusing to see those we fight against as your beloved.

Lord Jesus, help us to have your heart in these times

give us the strength to move from terror to compassion

and help us to put down our swords and take up peace. Amen.

The Hour is at Hand

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ Matthew 26:36-46

I find it an enormous comfort to know Jesus and his struggles in the garden. This passage from Matthew's gospel indicates that Jesus was grieved and agitated. He was, like all of us, anxious and troubled, occasionally fearful and torn by all that he had to face. If we are honest, we too, are often anxious, troubled, fearful, grieved and agitated. We are truly human as Jesus was. The load he carried was bigger than our load, and yet he, like us, asked for the load to be lifted. We can draw near to Jesus, son of the living God, since all our troubles are near to his heart.

Tender Creator, you made us in your image

our emotions and artistry are of your hand

and we are full of both panic and desire.

We downplay our fears and terrors of our hearts

and fail to admit them or share them with you

thinking we have to solve everything alone.

Help us to be awake to our hearts' joys and sorrows

ready always to lift others and pray without ceasing

drawing your love near to our grieving world. Amen

Sunday, July 19th, 2026, Proper 11

Jesus put before the crowd another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!” Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Weeds are an ongoing problem for gardeners of all varieties. When I planted seeds and plants this spring, we first put down weed preventing fabric and then put hay on top of that. And still , there are weeds. Oh, they're not as prevalent as they might have been, but we still have weeds. When the plants were tender, with shallow roots, we had to be careful not to pull up the weeds and the plant as well. Jesus is telling this parable about how we are to live. There is both good, producing seed and nasty weeds in all our gardens. Yes, we have to deal with the weeds we can but also we want to be careful with the tender ones. The Creator invites us to be patient with the tender ones and keep the weeds at bay so all of us can grow.

Wondrous Creator, you sow good seeds over all

our world is verdant and lively because of your love.

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion.

We try to keep the worst weeds away from our lives

and we often demonize those who are always good seed.

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion.

We let fear and isolation cloud our view of our lives

and defend our lives from all the illness around us.

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion.

You, Lord, call us to grow abundantly side by side

and stay close to even those who are different from us.

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion.

Your kingdom is rich with diversity, blessings and troubles

and we are surrounded daily by your fierce love for us.

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion.

Make us your people, dear Lord, and help us to love

despite the weeds in our world and the terror on our streets. 

Lord Jesus, help us to tend your garden here with love and compassion. Amen.

Betrayal

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’ Matthew 26:17-25

As an Indigenous woman and a student of history, I can tell many stories of betrayal from the very beginning of this nation's founding. We humans have all been betrayed at one time or another and may have even betrayed someone. Judas thought he was doing the right thing at the time, although we cannot fathom his reasons. Maybe he was broke, and in serious debt. We don't know his reasons and never can truly know his pain and suffering. It is not good to think, "well, it turned out for the best!" 

We are invited today to ask Judas' question, "surely not I, Rabbi?" Invited to examine the many ways we betray the mission and love of God through our own selfish acts.

Gracious Creator, you invite us to a banquet

a table groaning with good food and blessings

and we are rarely grateful and often complain.

We betray your call to love all our neighbors

we betray your love by calling others enemies

and we forget you as we imprison refugees.

Make us anew so we can be forgiving and kind

never betraying your call to justice and love

so the world might see your living presence here. Amen.

 

In Remembrance of Her

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’ Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:1-16

Today we hear about the woman who anointed Jesus. She gave all that she had and her compassion and kindness is always remembered. Today, we went out blueberry picking in a neighboring field. Not wild berries, but a wonderful moment in the sun. The woman who owns the field was so very kind, I will never forget her kindness in bringing me in her golf cart and helping us back to the car. Her kindness was extraordinary. Blueberry picking is not back breaking labor, but it reminded me of all the folks who spend all day in the hot sun, so we could have food. I pray for them even though I don't know their names. May we remember and pray for all the unnamed folks who care for us and are tender, kind and give their all.

Wondrous Creator, we give thanks for abundant fields

the richness of this earth, sacred and always turning

and for the unnamed who care for us in times of need.

We often overlook the ones who serve and labor for us

we ignore their needs and distrust the strangers here

yet you know and love those who labor in our fields.

Help us to remember, Lord, how you love all

the unnamed, the forgotten and the ones called aliens

and make us your people as we love as you do. Amen.

Sheep and Goats

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus is telling folks about his return, which most of the early Christians thought was in their lifetime. It was not and they had to retool their thinking thereafter. He talks about us as sheep and goats, not the brightest in the animal kingdom, but familiar to his audience. I'm probably more goat than sheep, but that is not his point. His point for the faithful is about the care and feeding of the neediest among us. We will not be judged by our radiant vestments, our writings, our prayers, but by how we demonstrate the love of God in the darkest places among the most hurting people. We have witnessed the skies turning yellow and green these past days and it can feel very apocalyptic. When we feel that way, Jesus reminds us to find ways to love the unlovely, welcome the stranger and free the prisoners.

Awesome Creator, who dances with the twinkling stars

and sings with the birds and the creatures in the sea

you give us the spirit to be compassion and kindness.

Too often, we see scary signs and run and hide away

drawing away from the people who need us the most

and worrying about our safety and trembling in fear.

Lord, take away all fear today and help us care for

for the immigrants who lives are truly in danger

and those on the margins who have no one else. Amen.

Talents

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:14-30

This story of the talents, unevenly divided, reminds me of all the times in my life when I have said, and others with me, "it's not fair!" As a child, I clearly remember my parents saying, "that's life, kiddo." None of us has all the money and talent we wish, and we are often jealous of those who have more. This parable invites us to think about we do with what we have. All we have is a gift and remembering that invites us to use the talents, the money, the emotional intelligence, the compassion - all these we can share with others and increase our joy. May we use what we have to also increase the safety and joy of others.

Gracious Lord, you gave each of us great abundance

in our families, communities and our individual gifts

yet we often forget how to share and increase the gifts.

We bury our heads in the sand, shaking off the truth

pretending that we are not afraid as we tremble

and hide from the world because we are not enough.

Help us to share our talents and encourage others

so that we might all help those who are afraid

live with the great joy of sharing what we have. Amen.

Keep Awake

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13

Some people get up very early in the morning, retiring early so they can meet the dawn. Others, like me can never get to sleep very early. When I was younger there was so much to do and now that I am older, the pattern is well set. Jesus tells a parable about foolish and wise bridesmaids and about being prepared for the groom's arrival. All of the women, foolish and wise had fallen asleep, and it was just half the women who did not have enough lamp oil. The others could have shared but Jesus wants us to see how important it is to pay attention. Not prepper type preparedness, but ready in our hearts and minds to receive the presence of the living God, for the Creator lives among us and we need to see.

Wondrous Creator, you make our world beautiful

feeding us with fields of grain and fruits abundant

and you prepare us to see you in all your glory.

Even when we are awake, we do not notice your love

so tied up in work and worry, we forget to look

and see your loving work here in these times.

Give us the strength to be prepared and awake

willing to have your love wash over us all

so we might be ready to welcome and to serve. Amen.

Sunday, July 12, 2026 Proper 10

Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” “Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

I have often struggled with this story of Jesus preaching from the boat. Not his words about sowers and seeds, but the very practical obstacles that this picture paints. Water, even a lake, let alone a tidal sea, makes a good deal of noise and is hard to hear over. For me, that may be the most important point of the sowers and the seeds. The seeds are all good, but there is so much noise to drowned out the good, we sink into the cruelty of our world. We are always called to be good, fertile soil, even when we feel we can't hear Jesus at all. We are called to yield fruit and trust that God is working through all that we do, every day, no matter how we feel, or how little fruit we see. God sees our hearts and loves us in all seasons and times.

                                A Litany for Sunday, July 12, 2026

Gracious Creator, you teach us through the natural world

and speak to us through storms and wild, noisy seasons.

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world.

The troubles of these days keep us from being rich soil

and the worries and anxiety creep in and we forget you.

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world.

Gardeners know the challenges of earth, water and sky

yet too many are so far away from real, solid ground.

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world.

Some feel abandoned, at sea, and full of pain and sorrow

yet you promise to find us in our darkest lonely times.

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world.

In the summer heat and abundance of flowers and fruits

we forget to feed those who have no ground to till.

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world.

Lord Jesus, make our hearts open to the seeds sown in us

so we might bring forth the real fruits of your living love. 

Lord Jesus, plant your love within us so we can serve the world. Amen.

From the Four Winds

‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!”—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, “Look! He is in the wilderness”, do not go out. If they say, “Look! He is in the inner rooms”, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. ‘Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:15-31

Many of our Indigenous traditions have stories about the four winds. Each has a purpose and a unique personality, sharing in the healing of the world and gathering all creation together as one. We live in a season, when it feels like we are being pulled in four directions at once, not brought together but being torn apart. Jesus understood how his ministry had undone the familiar hierarchy of life and faith. He knew they thought the end of all life was near. We know how that feels as well. We are reminded that we are all in the hands of the angels, who gather us all together and continue to bring us safely into the sacred circle where God abides.

Loving Creator, your charge angels with our care

you find us safe shelter and rest at our journey's end

and hold us as we travel rough roads and dark nights.

We tend to panic when the direction isn't clear to us

we seek to blame others and seek to damage others

yet you are walking with us even as we fall apart.

Remind us Lord, of the steadfastness of your love

today, make us faithful and hopeful again in you

and give us your peace as we walk through these times. Amen.

Enduring

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. ‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:1-14

It is often the case that when times are overwhelming and deeply challenging, we think we are in the end times. The disciples were curious about the destruction of the temple, which they assumed would coincide with the end of the world. I remember, as a child, there was much talk about the doomsday clock and how close we were to midnight or the end of everything. Every generation has radical groups who believed they were in the end times. Life is always ending and beginning. We are simply called to be faithful and endure, not give up when it gets hard. Hang on, folks, for new life is coming.

Wondrous Creator, you smile upon all the people

and renew the earth with every season and day

giving us the chance to be alive for another era.

We are panicked and afraid in these troubling times

some hoard and prep preparing for the very end

despite your promise to be there with us to the end.

Help us, Lord, to trust you each day and forever

as you are here with us in the tumult and trials

and you will see us through to new days and seasons. Amen.

I Desire to Gather your Children

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation. ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ Matthew 23:27-39

When my children were young, I ached for a little space, often just to do something as simple as use the bathroom. Now, I ache to see them, hold them and pull them close. They are all grown, on their own, and I miss them each and every moment. Jesus is speaking harshly to those who had some power and authority, telling them how they negligence and cruelty has damaged and destroyed the innocent. He ached to shield the innocent, the young ones and the vulnerable from the destruction of selfish tyrants. 

We parents always want to protect our offspring, even when they are no longer young. Jesus reminds us how easily the abuse of power happens. We are called to be those who protect the vulnerable and serve those who are suffering here.

Wondrous Creator, who instills in us loving care

you make us able to protect and defend the vulnerable

and show us how to make a place for all peoples.

leaders often give in to their power and their influence

ignoring and abusing those they were sent to serve

and relishing the limelight more than mercy and justice.

Make us your servants again, dear Lord Jesus Christ

that we might bring comfort and solace to those in pain

and fight against tyrants, so that your love alone might reign. Amen.

Woe to You

‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. ‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. Matthew 23:13-26

It is easy for us to point fingers at those who abuse their power and lead people astray. Yet all of us truly have work to do. Jesus told those who were abusing power to clean the inside so all may be clean. His focus, the weightier matters of the law, he called them, were justice, mercy and faith. And it is true, if you have never seen these things, never had anyone model them for you, it is hard to produce them. Our work, in these challenging days, is to be models of justice, mercy and faith. Plenty of those in the spotlight show us how to consume, be greedy and abusive. We are to be always loving, be always faithful and always seeking justice for the least among us.

Wondrous Creator, who taught the stars to dance

you sing at night to the creatures of the ocean

and call us to justice with the rising of the sun.

We live in a time where selfishness is rampant

where nothing is spared for the glory of leaders

and the starving and refugees are denied food.

Lord, make us your faithful servants today

so we might show there is love in abundance

and mercy and justice are the way to live. Amen.

Turning Tables

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’ The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself”?’ He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’ Matthew 21:12-22

Was Jesus just having a bad moment when he went into the temple and flipped tables or cursed the fig tree which immediately withered? These stories from Matthew 21 have us wondering.  We have some insight but truly not the whole picture. We do know that wealthy merchants and temple leaders were charging exorbitant fees for sacrificial birds and animals, and money exchange. We know in our day how easily we can focus in money in our church communities and forget to focus on the needs of the people. I don't think I will ever be able to solve the fig tree dilemma, but I know that Jesus did very little just for fun in his earthly ministry. Jesus' act of turning calls us all to turn from our focus on money and income to our focus on the needs of the whole community.

Loving Creator, you provide all our earthly needs

and bring rain and snow to water our mother earth.

Too often people hoard those earthly provisions

and limit these blessings for the wealthy only.

Help us, Lord, to turn away from greed and to the people

so your love light might shine through us in these times. Amen.

My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light

Sunday, July 5th, 2026, Proper 9

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

There were many photographs from and of the Statue of Liberty yesterday. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddles masses yearning to be free" sounds so much like, "come to me all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens." The goodness and intention of our Creator is freedom and rest, a gentle yoke and the wisdom of loving kindness. As much as I love this country, I am too aware of all the folks we don't welcome and don't ease their burdens. May we, faithful people, follow Jesus, by helping to lighten burdens, welcoming the stranger and given them the space to thrive.

Gracious Creator, you have blessed so many

and yet there are too many yearning still.

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart.

We do not see the need nearby and far

and we call folks enemies that are neighbors.

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart.

We lift up our symbols of freedom and equality

while some are still turned away at our doors. 

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart.

You, O Lord, are love, liberty and gracious rest

and we are called to lighten burden and make welcome.

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart.

Give us eyes to see your blessings around us

and courage to reach out in welcome to strangers.

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart.

For your yoke is easy and your burden is light

and we are your disciples carrying your love.

Precious Saviour, please make us like you, gentle and humble of heart. Amen.

250 Years of Independence

Jesus said, “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

                                        A Litany for Independence Day

Wondrous Creator, we celebrate our nation's freedom today

with great joy and great humility for what we have been given.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

This country was once the home to many hundreds of tribes

who walked these sacred roads and paddled these rivers.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

Many crossed the ocean for a new home and for freedom

some were brought here, bound and chained as slaves.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

We have not always loved he stranger and the new arrivals

and we have often taken what did not belong to us here.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

Yet you Lord, have blessed us in every generation

opening our eyes to the blindness and cruelty of the past.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

We still haven't reached the goal of life, liberty and happiness

for those who come here as refugees, then turned away.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free.

Make us humble, make us glad and set us truly free

to truly welcome and embrace every neighbor you send our way.

Lord, you have promised that one day all people will be truly free. Amen.

Showing Deference to No One

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When 

they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22

In these days when power and money are the focus of everyday life, and average, faithful people are silenced, it is reassuring to hear the religious leaders of the day knew that Jesus showed deference to no one. The Son of the living God, who knows all languages and all cultures, loves all equally and without discrimination. In times when discrimination and alienation seem on the rise, we can definitively say that is not of God, as God is love and cares for everyone. Those who have been cast out are fully children of the living God.

Loving Creator, in your kingdom all are equal

from the poor to rich, from children to elders

we are loved and honored fully and equally.

We step over others to get what we "deserve"

climbing ladders and grabbing the spotlight

while many children starve and are homeless.

Lord, turn our selfish hearts into compassionate ones

help us see the needs and respond to our siblings

for your love sees us all as deserving, beloved children. Amen.

Wedding Guests

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ Matthew 22:1-14

All clergy have funny and challenging wedding stories and many would rather do a funeral than a wedding. We all know the term bridezillas, but there are also momzillas and dadzillas across these weddings. In the parable Jesus tells them, a king invites VIPs to the wedding of his son and people refused, some in violent and insulting ways. He likened the reign of heaven as a wedding banquet. People who time and time again refuse are put out. This can be a scary passage, but we know God is calling us to be prepared, to respond in love and to honor those in our midst.

Wondrous Creator, you set a table for us

full of good food and wondrous beauty

calling us to some and join your love feast.

We get too caught up in our jaded world view

we respond lacking honor and without love

and we think no one cares about your call.

Help us to always be ready to respond in love

make us humble and honorable in all we do

and help us to honor those around us today. Amen.

Fruits of the Kingdom

‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So, they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. Matthew 21:33-46

I am the farthest thing from a great gardener, and I can't imagine caring for a whole vineyard. It would probably be a disaster! In this parable, we find the tenants taking over the vineyard and killing the ones in charge, including the son. This situation seems absurd at first, but throughout history we find folks who thought they could control what was not theirs, folks with so much hubris they thought themselves untouchable. We also know that it never ends well. Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of his day. And he's speaking to all of us today. May we care for the people and places we have been given and set our hearts on humility and kindness, always.

Holy Creator, source of all life in this universe

we are cared and provided for by your hand

and are called to love and serve others here.

We sometimes forget that all life is a divine gift

we believe we have made the god things of life

and forget to be grateful and to live gently.

Turn our hearts, Lord, and make us humble 

give us a sense of gratitude for all we are given

and love enough to share with our neighbors here. Amen.