Children of Light

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfil the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’ Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:36-43

Although as Christians, we are considered children of the light, we often don’t behave that way. We cannot pretend to be faithful and loving while we judge our neighbors, harshly, refused to care for the poor and never visit those in prison. When we need help, we want everybody to run to our aid. When others need help, we turn away from them. And when we spout off about our faith, and then act like we are better than others, we are not children of the light. Jesus came for the healing of the nations and we ought to be a part of that.

Great Creator who deserves to draw people together

You call us to show your love to the world with light

And ask us to show compassion, to aliens and strangers.

We act like Christians on Sundays and savages other days

Trying to get our own way and the most from others

Always wanting to win never wanting to help.

Give us new hearts and new eyesight, dear Lord

So we might see the need around us and respond with joy

Caring your love as children of your light. Amen

I Will Draw All People to Myself

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

The disciples are always trying to figure out why Jesus says something and how they are to respond to it. They are always misunderstanding and confused, not unlike all of us. We live in a Chrisitan nation, supposedly, but the most public figures see not to follow the Jesus of the Gospels. They call out for exclusion and war, disciplining the poor and hoarding wealth. Like a badge of honor, they flaunt their millions, while so many starve at their feet. Jesus was clear he was coming for all of us, his love was for all the people and not just wealthy winners. Jesus calls us to be children of the light, living as servant of love. May we never be afraid to serve the least and neediest of us all.

Gracious Creator, who sets a table for all people

gathers us all, loves us all, and makes us one family

we are blessed to walk in the light of your love.

There is too much darkness, O Lord, too much

so many homeless while the wealthy jet around

never seeing the obvious need in their dark hearts.

Make us children of your light so we might serve

help us gather those who have been left outside

and make a place for everyone at your loving table. Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus

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

Throughout out the Gospels foreigners come to Jesus and he loves them and heals them. We live in a country where leaders say they are followers of Jesus but have failed to really understand anything about Jesus. Even early on when a foreign woman asks for healing, he tries to refuse but she convinced him. From that point on, the disciples still might refuse people but Jesus never did. The Greeks wanted to see him and see him they did. If we want to see Jesus then we need to be in places where the poor, the sinners, the rejected and foreigners are.

Marvelous Creator, you made a diverse humanity

so we might know of your dynamic love for us

and learn to love those who are different from us.

We live in times when folks are excluded and judged

sent away because they want freedom ad receive bars

they are hidden from our eyes so we can't know them.

Lord Jesus, open our eyes and our hearts always

so we might go to the dark corners of our cities

and carry your light to those who are afraid to live. Amen

Do Not Be Afraid!

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: ‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’ John 12:9-19

Throughout the centuries, religious leaders get distressed when their followers jump ship. In this story, which we read on Palm Sunday, we remember the tremendous reception Jesus got when he was in Jerusalem and the determination of the leadership to squash his ministry. So very human of them, not wanting to lose their authority and power. In small and large situations, we want to remain in control and hate it when we lose control. A dear friend of my father's used to say, "the point of embarrassment is the point of redemption." God is close by when we know our need and ask for help. That is so hard for all of us and yet we are invited today to let go of control so our Creator can heal us.

Loving Creator, you sent your Son to a broken world

and our world is still on edge and in deep pain today

and you put Jesus always in our midst to heal us now.

We fight for control, for power and to win always

yet we know our aches, deep and ever painful

and we are still unwilling to ask for your help.

Make us humble today, dear Lord, so we might ask

for our needs and the needs of our communities

so we might join with the crowd, singing Hosanna. Amen.

Anointing

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?’ Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him. Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ John 11:55-12:8

Some of the other Gospels don't identify the woman who anoints Jesus. John identifies her as none other than Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha. I'm not sure how accurate that might be, but it makes a good story as Lazarus' family was so grateful because Jesus raised him from death, a foretaste of Jesus' own resurrection. That's pure poetry which John's Gospel is famous for. What it leaves out for me is the anonymity of the other gospels. A woman, a sinner and possibly an outcast and foreigner, anointed Jesus. All too neat if it is Mary. Throughout the Gospels, it is the foreigner, the outcast, the women and sinners, who understand Jesus and do the right thing. Listen to that truth, our truth today, that the right things, the Jesus way is often done by the anonymous unknown person, who knows how to love.

Wondrous Creator, you make each star different from others

and we use those same stars to find our way in night's darkness

teach us again, Lord, how to do the loving thing at all times.

Today, we look to our leadership, but they have lost their way

the right families in their tidy homes scorn the foriegn-born

and forget how to show love to those who are strangers here.

Open our hearts, dear Jesus, to the needs of those around us

let us be joyfully anonymous and happy in our service

so that your light and love might shine through us today. Amen.

The Twenty-fifth Anniversary of 9.11

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. " Isaiah 65:17-19

I still have this New Yorker cover framed and on our walls. I remember the feelings of shock and horror, worrying all together about family and friends caught in the attacks. We were a people, a nation for a time, that lived compassion and community. We lived just north of Dover Airforce base, which has become the morgue. Bodies and remnants were brought there, and families gathered awaiting news. It was a long wait and for some, there was never any news. That holiday season we collected items for the families waiting so they might have a bit of Christmas amidst the horrors. I was elected Bishop the month after 9.11 and I believe it has informed my ministry throughout.

                                                A Litany for 9.11 Twenty-five Years On

Loving Creator, you promised to make a new heaven and a new earth

along with the ending of war and weeping, hearts filled with joy.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today.

In the year since the attacks, we have not followed our promises

we waged war, we demonized foreigners and caused more weeping.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today.

Your ways, O Lord, are ways of peace, justice and healing for all

yet we want to dominate, winning at any cost, unwilling to change.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today.

You sent your Son, Jesus, so that they whole world was set free

he overcame death and the grave so we might live as free people all.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today.

The time has come for us to change our ways and give up on war

the time has come for us to share the wealth and live as siblings.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today.

Make us your people, dear Lord, serving all of your children here

so that we might glimpse the joy and healing you have in store for us.

Help us, Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and healing today. Amen.

Yes Lord, I Believe

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for 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. John 11:17-29

Martha declares before many of his disciples could, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Martha has a reputation for putting tasks above relationships and learning, but when it counts, Martha's got it all going on. Her voice is authentic, she works hard, and cares for everyone. She is salt of the earth, a hard-working mother who fed everyone who came under her roof. Let us all be a bit more like Martha today. Firm in our belief, always running to Jesus and caring for the most vulnerable around us.

Wondrous Creator, you give us all good gifts and voices

some to be in the light, some to work behind the scenes

all of us together to proclaim your love for the world.

We fight for attention from our birth, crying for affection

battling as adults for power, prestige and great wealth

although none of us have been given those dangerous gifts.

Let us be like Martha today and every day, speaking truth

laboring behind the scenes for the good of all our neighbors

and always running towards Jesus to know healing and new life. Amen.

Let Us Go So We May Die with Him

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.’ John 11:1-16

Jesus was intent on returning to Judea, where the religious leaders had tempted to stone him. Jesus had stalled in his trip, despite the fact that he knew his friend was dying and his sisters had sent for him. Going to Judea was entering a no-man's land, a very dangerous place where violence was inevitable. Despite the push back from the other disciples, it was Thomas (who we like to call doubting) was the one that led them into battle, followed Jesus where no one wanted to go. They went with no helmets, no pads, and no protection. And that is where Jesus calls us today. To the places where on one will go, where the need is greatest and healing seems too far off.

Precious Creator, who tenderly heal us all

who seeks us in the crevices and dark places

and carries us home to be healed and freed.

We think we can protect ourselves and avoid pain

we huddle behind gates, cameras and alarm systems

thinking we know better than you how to do good.

Lord Jesus, lead us into our Judeas, places we fear

so we might find your beloved entombed today

so we might carry your love and healing to the world. Amen.

Throwing Stones

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, you are gods”? If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there. John 10:31-42

We often "throw stones" when someone makes a mistake or confuses us. When frightened, we often strike out, scream and run. In Jewish tradition, a sinner could be stoned, but not until they were examined and tried. These religious leaders were so frightened and challenged by Jesus that they only think they could think to do was to pick up some rocks. Too often, when someone we know has done many good things for us, we condemn them as soon as it looks like they made a mistake. We gossip, we post cruel things online and we try to damage them. When faced with new and challenging things, we are invited to react, not with some ancient reptile brain, fight, flight or free, but instead be curious and always loving.

Wondrous Creator, you made us in your image

with intellect, capacity, curiosity and compassion

making us capable of wonder and joyous surprise.

We see and hear so much that confuses us these days

that we reach for cruel words and sharps stones

letting fear and dread silence our love and capacity.

Remake us in your image today so we might love first

welcoming those who are not like us but offer us love

and making room in our world for their gifts and impact. Amen.

Labor Day 2026

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:19-24

Today in the United States, we celebrate Labor Day. It has come to mean the last weekend of summer, and sales galore. Its origins are much more radical. In the late 1880s workers were poorly treated and there were no child labor laws or protections for workers. On September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union in New York organized the first Labor Day parade to honor workers and call for reform. It took until June 1894 for President Grover Cleveland to sign into law that the first Monday of September would be set aside each year to celebrate American workers. Over the years, we have lost the thrust that at its beginnings, Labor Day was about reform and awareness. Now we have cookouts and sales. We are reminded today, not to store up treasures on earth. Instead, we are called to share what we have, so all people may be honored for their labor.

Gracious Creator, you see rich and poor alike

as your beloved children who work here on earth

and share the resources you have given us all.

Too many hoard their wealth and build walls

while others ache for water and a piece of bread 

while you call us not to store up treasures on earth.

Help us to use what we have for the care of all

let us be thankful for those who labor feeds us

and may we listen to your words and love others. Amen

Sunday, September 5, 2026, Proper 18

Sunday, September 5, 2026, Proper 18

Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus is pretty clear with the disciples and with us, we are to be seeking resolutions, healing and peace. Too often, in churches, we fight over who is right or who is in charge. We fuel conflicts that should never have become public, and we try to oust people who get in our way. As a bishop, I have been called in, too many times, to mediate a conflict that never should have happened. Often times, it starts with a misunderstanding between two people. If they had followed Jesus' simple steps, they may have found peace. Instead, they call the priest, gossip to other parishioners and we then have a full-blown crisis. Jesus shows us the way, and even when resolution and healing don't happen, we are to treat them like gentiles and tax collectors, the very people who became disciples and who ate with him. 

Loving Creator, you set a table big and wide for all

and invite all of the people to come and dine with you.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love.

We often hear your call and refuse because we are angry

hurt by others but refusing to seek reconciliation and peace.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love.

You called us to seek out the other who has hurt us badly

facing the person and not with knives drawn and fists tight.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love.

Yet you, Oh Lord, sat with tax collectors and great sinners

and you healed gentiles and forgive the theif on the cross.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love.

Your path is always for love, healing, reconciliation and truth

and you give us the power to bind and loose here on earth.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love.

Make us your people, dear Lord Jesus, ready always to forgive

and help us to let go of all anger today, so we can love completely.

Dear Jesus, help us to only bind pain and hurt and always loose your love. Amen.

Before Abraham Was, I Am

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

Like the religious leaders testing Jesus, we are often trapped in linear time, although we know that time is a human invention. In many traditional Native tribes, time is not so binding and final. We understand that the past and future often present with us, whether we can observe it or not. DNA and other discoveries have taught us that there is more to our understanding of time and continuity that we understood in the past. Jesus is present with us now and every age but few of us can accept it. We serve one who understands all of us, the infant, child, adult and senior are all known and loved by him.

Wondrous Creator, you are infinite and eternal

you love us from inception through death eternally

and show us through Jesus the way to live your love.

Our days are carefully scheduled and controlled

we struggle to complete tasks and we often fail

we forget that you are much bigger than any day.

Bring us a new understanding of your time, Lord

let us live grasping eternal love and endless hope

sharing those in this world of hurt and captivity. Amen.

Feast of David Pendleton Oakerhater

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10:1-9

David Pemdleton Oakerhater (Cheyenne) is the first Indigenous person to be made a saint on the Episcopal Church calendar. I remember how big a deal it was. Native leadership from across the church showed up to celebrate in Syracuse where he was baptized and ordained a deacon. He spent all of his ministry at home in Oklahoma among the Cheyenne people. Although he was never priested, he remained faithful to the people at home, founding schools and churches, and attending lovingly to human need. Once he had been a mighty warrior, then a captive of the US government. when he returned to Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1881, he was quoted as saying -

You all know me. You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all He tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace.

Great Creator, you liberate us and love us

giving us small roles that can change the world

and freeing us from the captivity of heart and mind.

Your servant David Oakerhater was called Making Medicine

and you brought him peace and hope while imprisoned

bring us hope when we are captive to our own limitations.

Make us faithful laborers in your fields and your followers

renew our energy when our spirits fail and we feel lost

and guide us with your love so we might care for your people. Amen.