Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: The Link of Prayer to Our Communal Responsibilities

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 3:5-12 (NRSV)

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?"

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you."

Psalm 119: 129-136 (BCP., p.774)


Romans 8:26-39 (NRSV)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)

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." 

Blog Reflection

When I read the story of King Solomon from 1 Kings, I get the impression that I am reading another fairy tale.  A King that gracious and wonderful seems like something this world just couldn't realize from our imaginations.   The story of Saul and then David leading up to Solomon is full of all kinds of battles, killings, relationships and endless conversations.  When we get to King Solomon it appears as if everything has culminated in this one amazing man who ruled with his riches, but never forgot the poor or oppressed.   The land he ruled was blessed beyond just peace and harmony, but the presence of God in all aspects of their lives. 

Stories such as this should awaken in us the importance of praying for the world's leaders.   It seems from a distant viewpoint that whether a society is governed by a so called democracy or a monarchy, the gap between justice for some people and all people is all that much wider.  There is a lot of talk about working towards equal rights for all, but actually getting down to the work of making it happen is stalled because of some kind of prejudice, political maneuvering and back room money deals.   It is up to Christians and other people of various religions and philosophies to speak up and be part of the movement towards a more inclusive Church and society by which justice is for all people.  

The continuing violence between Israel and Gaza is something we must pray about and call for a cease fire.  The centuries long debates about who owns what land, and whether or not there is enough room for everyone there seems to collide with catastrophic military actions that destroy property and kill unnumbered people.   It is not appropriate for any leader of the world, or person of a religious (or no religious) persuasion to turn our eyes as if we are burying our heads in the sand of complacency.  

Today's Reading from Romans is one of my very favorite epistles.   We are reminded that our prayers offered are not of our own initiative.   Our prayers begin from the heart of God who places within us a burning desire for a relationship with God in constant communion.  Our response to God is the work of the Holy Spirit within us who makes intercession with God the Father on our behalf with a longing so deep that human words cannot utter them.  The heart of God moves with love and desire that all of us will know how much we are loved to the point that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our life of prayer is linked to our responsibilities to each other in the community of humankind.   It comes from a radical response to God's loving desire on our part and becomes the food, water and nourishment through which we become God's loving presence to others.  It comes from a reverence for God that sees in each person the stamp of God's abiding presence that cherishes that person to such a degree, that withholding their dignity, peace or freedom enslaved to our own wills just cannot be conceived let alone executed by our actions.   

In our Gospel today, Jesus calls on us to see ourselves as the mustard seed that sprouts into the largest of trees.   We are God's treasure in the field, the pearl and that important fish in the net that Angels are called to gather us from among the catch.   Jesus' message for us today is to know that relationship in our own hearts, so that we in turn love one another as God's treasure, pearl and the fish that must never be lost because of prejudice or carelessness.

The best news in this parable told by Jesus, is that even if we have not been so faithful to God and our responsibilities to one another, God's mercy is always calling us back for the forgiveness of our sins and restoration as divine daughters and sons of God. 

St. Irenaeus of Lyons teaching about sin and grace was that sin is a state of immaturity and grace restores us to our Divine relationship with God.   This concept is written about at great length in Patrick S. Cheng's book From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ.  In 2 Peter 1:3,4 we read:

 "[God's] divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature."

I believe that Jesus in today's parable is calling us to a mature relationship with God by which we understand that our prayer and our communal responsibilities to one another are linked together.   This is such wonderful news.   It means that our relationship with God is not isolated to a weekly appointment with our favorite pew, all the beautiful music and liturgy that makes our hearts sing.  The relationship with God should overflow out the doors of our cathedrals and churches and into the heart of our daily lives with one another in mutual trust and love of God, neighbor and ourselves.   Jesus' message to us in today's Gospel is that this is possible in this world..  In Jesus the Christ, the Word made Flesh, He showed us the we can move toward God with faith and trust in God's will for our lives.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom
nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon
us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 12, Book of Common Prayer, p. 231).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.815). 

Saint Mary Magdalene: A Woman of Deep Contemplation, Faith and Inspiration for Change

Today's Scripture Readings

Judith 9: 1, 11-14 (NRSV)

Judith prostrated herself, put ashes on her head, and uncovered the sackcloth she was wearing. At the very time when the evening incense was being offered in the house of God in Jerusalem, Judith cried out to the Lord with a loud voice, and said, "Your strength does not depend on numbers, nor your might on the powerful. But you are the God of the lowly, helper of the oppressed, upholder of the weak, protector of the forsaken, savior of those without hope. Please, please, God of my father, God of the heritage of Israel, Lord of heaven and earth, Creator of the waters, King of all your creation, hear my prayer! Make my deceitful words bring wound and bruise on those who have planned cruel things against your covenant, and against your sacred house, and against Mount Zion, and against the house your children possess. Let your whole nation and every tribe know and understand that you are God, the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protects the people of Israel but you alone!"

Psalm 42 (BCP., p. 643)


2 Corinthians 5:14-18 (NRSV)

The love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

John 20:11-18 (NRSV)

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 around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" 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.

Blog Reflection

The Church today,  honors a tremendous woman of faith.  Other than Mary the Mother of Jesus, there is probably no woman in the Gospels who's name and person is so easily recognized and denigrated at the same time.

There are many sketchy accounts of Mary Magdalene.  I believe of all of the accounts of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus seated in the house of Simon the Pharisee, only John actually identifies her as Mary Magdalene.  There is some possibility that she was a prostitute who gave up that way of life to follow Jesus more closely.  That possibility has been used to dehumanize women on the part of Christians for way too long.  It never ceases to amaze me how much Christians of all denominations and sects spend on matters below the belly button. 

Could Mary's faith that kept her at the foot of the Cross and/or her unparalleled courage through which she remained weeping at the tomb looking for the Risen Christ that makes many men envious of her relationship of total fidelity to Jesus?

Mary Magdalene shows us just how Jesus turned over the norms of His society.   Women were stigmatized, and poor women who resorted to prostitution for some kind of income were considered unclean and unable to participate in local worship.   Jesus did more than just change Mary Magdalene's life, He lifted her up from the bottom of the social ladder to be an important character in the story of how God brought salvation to the world through His life, Death and Resurrection. 

The month of July 2014 has been a terrible month for women in the United States of America due to the dreadful Hobby Lobby ruling by the Supreme Court.   The ruling is not only bad because of what it does to the dignity of women, but also of how it damages the so called "religious liberty" discussion. When "religious liberty" becomes the means by which we strong arm people into policies that violate the religious liberty of others who do not believe or practice in the way we think they should, we have made religion a burden of slavery.  At that point, religion is a matter of imprisonment and obligation for the sake of conformity.   The Christian Faith loses the argument in "not conforming to the ways of this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2).   Why would anyone want to belong to such a lousy way of praying and believing?

Mary Magdalene is a magnificent example of how by God's transforming grace, God impacts not only one life in awesome and unpredictable ways, but entire communities. When one person responds by exemplary faith and action to the movement of God's Holy Spirit, that individual can impact human history with endless benefits.  

The Episcopal Church is approaching the 40th anniversary of it's decision for women to be admitted to ordained ministry.   The wonderful ways that women are taking their places as representing Christ and the Church to preach the Gospel and celebrate the Sacraments, have unleashed countless blessings on the Church and the world.   The contributions of women in the ordained ministry, can be likened to the changes brought by Mary Magdalene's prayer, faith and inspiration for change.

*At the resurrection on Easter Day, Mary's experience of Christ calling her by name in the midst of her pain and anguish, gave her first hand knowledge of God's love for her.  That love gave Mary the contemplative vision of God in the Risen Christ who spoke to her. *(See: The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience by Thomas Keating, p.73).  The story that she took to those twelve couldn't be believed, because she had been so filled with the experience of God's love, that they just couldn't bring themselves to accept it on word alone.  It was not until they each experienced the loving mercy of the Risen Christ for themselves, did they understand what Mary's experience was like.  Mary was the Apostle of the Resurrection who made believers out of those 12 men.  Her faith continues to inspire millions who attend Easter Day Liturgies all over Christendom.

Mary Magdalene's prayer and life of faith, should inspire us to continue our work to change hearts and minds regarding the marginalization of women, LGBT people and any number of persons in the Church and Society.    If we so choose to do our part to raise up many who are bowed down by prejudice and oppression, we can help people to see the real reason why people could Christians.  That real reason is because Jesus Christ changes lives to become God's Apostles for inclusive love and welcoming faith communities.  Communities that are committed to healing and reconciliation for all people with no exceptions. 

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene
to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness
of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we
may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the
power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 242).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Sorting the Seeds and the Weeds

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 44:6-8 (NRSV)

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,

and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:

I am the first and I am the last;

besides me there is no god.

Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,

let them declare and set it forth before me.

Who has announced from of old the things to come?

Let them tell us what is yet to be.

Do not fear, or be afraid;

have I not told you from of old and declared it?

You are my witnesses!

Is there any god besides me ?

There is no other rock; I know not one.

Psalm 86 (BCP., p.710)


Romans 8:12-25 (NRSV)

Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (NRSV)

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!"

Blog Reflection

I am writing this blog reflection after a week of incredible news throughout the world.   The terrible news of the Malaysian flight that was shot down and the AIDS researchers that were killed saddened us all.   The violence in Gaza and the Middle East disturbs us to our bones.  We still have a congress that is pretty much powerless to operate because of billionaire corporate money that keeps the wealthy safe, while the poor, the sick and the weak are kept on the lowest level of our priorities.  

At the same time, we have received some wonderful news this week.   The Bishop's Synod in the Church of England has passed a measure for women Bishops.   As we approach the 40th anniversary of women being ordained in The Episcopal Church, the news of women Bishops adds to the celebration.  

President Obama announced this past week that he would be signing an executive order that would protect LGBT people from federal job discrimination on Monday.   

Judges in the State of Florida and Oklahoma have ruled that constitutional amendments banning the freedom to marry for same-gender couples are unconstitutional.

In the middle of all of these things going on, the voice of the Holy Spirit is calling on Christians to listen with the ears of their hearts, for God's initiative for us to have a relationship with God and one another.   In that relationship, God wants us to see God's genuine love by which no one is rejected or labeled an outcast by our own standards.   The relationship of God with all of us is one that saves us from our false sense of certainty.   To search for union with God as our only source of certainty.

The message for Christians in our Lectionary readings this weekend, is for us to see that Jesus has planted the seed of God's Spirit within all of us.  In obedience to the will of God, the seed grows and the love of God should inspire within us "truly thankful hearts we may show forth" the praise of God.  "Not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving ourselves up to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness of life all our days" (General Thanksgiving, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 125).   When we harbor prejudices towards others because of their race, gender, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, etc. our Spiritual garden of life begins to grow weeds that hide the true beauty of the plant that grows from the seed.

We do not really need to worry about whether we believe "the devil and his angels" planted the weeds or not.  The weeds that shows from the cruel rhetoric we use towards "illegal" immigrants, including the children that are deported because of the "law", comes from an evil source by it's own nature.   That source is political popularity and a sense of belonging to some party just to be one of the crowd.   While the real Gospel seed that was planted by Jesus, becomes bitter and tasteless.  It might as well be burned.

As Christians we have been blessed beyond measure that God chose us to answer the call to receive God's grace through the message of the Cross and the Resurrection.   By our Baptismal Covenant, we have responded to Christ's invitation to come to Him, and honor Him in all persons, striving for peace and justice and respecting the dignity of every human being.   If our answer is, "we will with God's help" but make an exception because of a bias, then we profane the Name of Jesus Christ in our words and actions.  

Our Readings today, call us to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's call on each of our lives as those for whom there is no longer any condemnation. (See Romans 8:1).   Jesus through His life showed us the way to love God, our neighbor and ourselves.   In so doing, the weeds have no where to grow, and the seed remains pure and full of flavor.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our
necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have
compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those
things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our
blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 11, Book of Common Prayer, p. 231).

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.  (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: The Seed, The Word, Our Prayer, Our Response

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 13:10-13 (NRSV).

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy,

and be led back in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

shall burst into song,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;

instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;

and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial,

for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Psalm 119: 105-112 (BCP., p. 772).


Romans 8:1-11 (NRSV)

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,  so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law-- indeed it cannot,  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.   

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Matthew 23:1-9, 18-23 (NRSV).

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."

Blog Reflection

This Sunday and next, the Revised Common Lectionary will present us with two texts from Matthew's Gospel that are about the word of God.  How the word is planted like a seed, and  how the followers of Christ respond to the word.  Jesus tells two parables to make his point.  Parables by which Jesus uses imagery common to the people of His time, to take them further into the meaning of what He is saying.

This week's Gospel and the corresponding Readings from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, cause me some nervousness.  The Bible has been used, abused and misused again and again to support many positions on behalf of Christians that are contrary to the message of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Word of God.  There is a huge difference between what is written in the Scriptures themselves being the word of God, and Jesus Christ who is the Incarnate Word of God.  In addition, there is also a very real difference between using the Scriptures to edify believers, support theological positions and move people to an experience of conversion vs. using them as weapons of mass destruction to score points in a debate.   It is often my opinion, that both the conservative and more progressive Christians get into this trap.  In the end, all that is accomplished is Bible verse slinging.   The actual issue(s) are lost in the disagreement.

Among my many reasons I love The Episcopal Church and it's three legged stool approach to Scripture, is that we don't leave our brains at the door.   We also do not leave our faith open to the abuses of those who use the Bible recklessly just to defend a Church teaching or "just because it's in the Bible" mentality.   The God given gift of human reason and an honesty about what Church Tradition has brought us, are points made by many Biblical scholars and Priests within our Church.  Thanks be to God.

Today's parable is about reading the word and it becoming a life altering experience.  Jesus challenges us to allow the message of the word to reach into our hearts, and to call forth in us a response in our prayer and way of existing.   A true listener of the word of God, hears the word and allows her/his heart to be moved into a deeper relationship with God.  A relationship that responds to God's call in our lives, through our relationships with others.  A relationship through which prayer is the expressed direction of our lives, because it is a continuing conversation with God in thought, word and action.

Michael Casey in his book Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer wrote: "To live in accord with the Gospel, we must bear its message in mind and heart--that is, live in mindfulness (page 79)."

St. Benedict admonished his monks in The Rule to devote a measure of time each day to the prayerful reading of Scripture referred to as Lectio Divina.   In the quote above by Michael Casey, he was writing about how our response to our prayerful reading of Scripture should be such that it's message becomes a way of life.  Because through the prayerful reading of the scriptures, the seed of the word goes deeper into our being, and calls in us a conversion of heart and life towards a greater holiness of living and serving others around us.

I often wonder if the issues that Christians tend to have with accepting diversity, and living out the full meaning of our Baptismal Covenant, comes from not letting the word go deeper into our hearts and souls. 

 If Christians did let the word go deeper, might we all speak more boldly concerning children who are deported back to their countries where more oppression and poverty keep them from their loving families?   

Might a deeper sense of the word in our hearts and lives move us to end the ongoing discrimination towards women in terms of contraception and reproductive health care options?    

If we listened more attentively to the Holy Spirit in the word of God, might we become more serious about doing something about the horrific violence by the means of guns that are becoming common place, every day occasions?

If the word really did make a difference in the lives of Christians, might the hateful rhetoric towards Native Americans, LGBT, Muslims and Atheists end, and a greater urgency for justice, inclusion and peace finally prevail?

The last point I want to write about is the necessity of allowing the word to become our prayer.   As human beings, we face moments of disappointment, grief, anger, resentment and even revenge.  It happens to us more often than we care to admit, that we don't bring these to our prayer because we are embarrassed, or think that God might zap us one if we pray to God in anger.   This kind of thinking is a real danger to the spiritual life.   It keeps things all bottled up, and does not allow us to grow through the experiences that happen to us.

Among the wonderful things about the Scriptures is that they can become our prayer.   In chapter 8 Models of Prayer, Michael Casey in the book I wrote about earlier, encourages using the Psalms and many of the Canticles from the Hebrew Scriptures to let all that is within us become part of our prayer to God.  The few examples Casey uses include the Old Testament Prophets who just let their anger and grief out are Jeremiah 20:7-18, the Canticle of Hezekiah in Isaiah 38 and of course the cry of Jesus on the Cross in Mark 15:34.   Only by letting God know what is in the depths of our being can we truly allow our Heavenly Father to heal us and bring us wholeness and mercy. 

Our God speaks to us in many ways.  God has planted the seed of faith within our hearts and souls, to respond to God's loving kindness with thanksgiving and holiness.   In Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God has redeemed and empowered us to respond to God's invitation to prayer with a firm amendment of life and gifts for the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation.    All of this is possible by the inspiration of the Scriptures, the Tradition of the Church and human reason that give growth to our spiritual selves.   All God wants from us is to "incline the ears of our hearts" so that God's love can be shared with us and others around us.

Amen.


Prayers

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who
call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand
what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and
power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 10, Book of Common Prayer, p.231).

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of
peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel
for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion
may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your
love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen. (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.258).

Saint Benedict: Prefer Nothing Whatever to Christ

Today's Scripture Readings

Proverbs 2:1-9 (NRSV)

My child, if you accept my words

and treasure up my commandments within you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

if you indeed cry out for insight,

and raise your voice for understanding;

if you seek it like silver,

and search for it as for hidden treasures--

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,

guarding the paths of justice

and preserving the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice

and equity, every good path;

 
Psalm 119:129-136 (BCP., p.774)

Philippians 2:12-16 (NRSV)

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.

Luke 14:27-33 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the crowd, "Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."

Blog Reflection

It is indeed a gift of God and a great privilege for me to celebrate the Commemoration of Saint Benedict as a second year Novice to the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict.   I cannot put into words the wonderful gifts of grace that I have experienced in the twenty years that I have come to know more about the Patriarch of Western Monasticism   I am so thankful to God and all of my blog readers who support me by your faithful visits to this blog, and your prayers as I continue to discern God's call upon my life.

During this past winter, I was given probably the most powerful book yet to read by my Formation Master.   A book by Thomas Merton entitled The Rule of Saint Benedict: Initiation into the Monastic Tradition 4.    Thomas Merton is his usual "go to the soul of the matter" style breaks up the Rule of St. Benedict and takes the reader into three particular subjects from The Rule.   Obedience, Poverty (or better understood  by Benedictines as use of the things God gives us), and humility.    I won't go into depth about what Merton wrote concerning each, but I will write about a point that he made with regards to The Rule itself.

The purpose of the Rule is to furnish a framework within which to build the structure of a simple and pure spiritual live, pleasing to God by its perfection of faith, humility, and love.  The Rule is not an end in itself, but a means to an end, and it is always to be seen in relation to it's end.  This end is union with God in love, and every line of the Rule indicates that its various prescriptions are given to us to show us how to get rid of self-love and replace it by love of God (page 6).

There are many things that can be written on this Feast of Saint Benedict.  The Rule of St. Benedict, his decision to leave his families' wealth and fully funded education for the cave in Subiaco, the thwarted plot to kill him by poisonous wine by which the medal of St. Benedict is inspired and more.  I  would not be a good Novice if I did not mention Benedict's emphasis on silence, prayer and hospitality in this blog post.  All of these and more are important aspects of Benedict's life and Rule.  Yet, they are all means to an end.   Even today's Scripture Readings for Benedict's Feast Day, are trying to point us toward a culminating end.   The conclusion is found in verses 11 and 12 in Chapter 72 in The Rule of St. Benedict.

Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.

In our prayer and work, including our work for justice, equality, inclusion and respecting the dignity of every human person; in our daily practice of Lectio Divina, praying the Daily Office and going to Sunday Eucharist; Benedict's focal point is for us to seek union with God, by which we prefer nothing whatever to Christ.   Christ present in one another, in the marginalized and oppressed, and in ourselves.   As Merton wrote, the Rule is a framework that guides us to live according to the Gospel which is to pick up our cross daily and follow Christ.   We are to prefer the love of Christ above all else, and to serve one another with the consciousness of God's presence in all people every where.    And should we fall short and mess up, we need not give in to despair.   "God's mercy endures forever" (Psalm 118).  And, Saint Benedict tells us "everyday we begin again." 

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, your precepts are the wisdom of a loving Father: Give us grace, following the teaching and example of your servant Benedict, to walk with loving and willing hearts in the school of the Lord's service; let your ears be open to our prayers; and prosper with your blessing the work of our hands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints, p. 457).

God our Father, you made St. Benedict an outstanding guide to teach us how to live in your service.  Grant that by preferring your love to everything else, we may walk in the way of your commandments.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   (From the Roman Missal, 1985, p. 666).

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Come to and Welcome Christ in Humilty

Today's Scripture Readings

Zechariah 9:9-12 (NRSV)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!

Lo, your king comes to you;

triumphant and victorious is he,

humble and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

and he shall command peace to the nations;

his dominion shall be from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,

I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;

today I declare that I will restore to you double.

Psalm 145 (BCP., p.802).


Romans 7:15-25a (NRSV)

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.  But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.  For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
 
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.  For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self,  but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSV)

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."

Blog Reflection

I join the many who have voiced their concern about the Hobby Lobby ruling at the Supreme Court on Monday, June 30th.   The ruling by itself was an egregious one against women and contrary to what real religious liberty is about.   Religious liberty is not a matter of one particular religious group's position being able to define our laws and regulations for the rest of us.  It is about the opportunity to make a choice about what we will or will not believe and/or practice with regards to our own religious beliefs without undue coercion or adherence on behalf of the State.  In all of the instances where the freedom to marry has been made legal for same-gender couples for example, there has also been granted an exemption that allows for any religious institution or house of worship to decide not to bless a same-gender relationship.  The same right however, does not, nor should it extend to a public business just because the owners are of a particular religious persuasion on the matter.  A business that serves the whole public, must serve everyone in the public.

This decision by the Supreme Court has opened the doors for uncontrolled abuses in the name of religion.  While rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States has gained significant ground; a series of decisions by the Supreme Court regarding corporations being defined as persons in the Citizens United case and a few more since then, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and now this one, has taken racial equality and the equal treatment of women under the law backwards.

As I have been reflecting on this matter this week, I think the biggest issue I have with it is that this is being pursued by a group of people, that honestly believe that this is what Jesus Christ would want.  An imposed set of laws that continue to denigrate women and other racial minorities in ways that increase bias on their behalf.  Given our Scripture readings this weekend, I find it very difficult to believe that this is what Jesus would want.  

I won't attempt to break down all of the Scripture readings for today, but I will synthesize them a bit for us.  It is the 4th of July weekend, and I think we have all had our ears filled with news, opinions and more about the Hobby Lobby ruling.   Yet, I want us to meditate a bit on another view of Jesus than those who may be celebrating this ruling.

Jesus did not come to represent any one particular group of people.   He came as God's perfect revelation of God's Self.   Jesus came to bring about the Reign of God for all people, in particular those who had been brushed to the side.   His desire to draw everyone closer to God went to the point of entering Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, and eventually to His agonizing death on the Cross.   He came that way to announce a new era of God's reign that wasn't about scapegoating, violence, weaponry or the need to dominate anyone.   Jesus came as God's human face to connect us to God through a relationship with one another.  A relationship that is full of ups and downs.  A way of living together despite our many differences and understandings of the world around us.  All Jesus did and calls us to do is to love one another as He loves each of us. (See John 15:12-17). 

One of the many reasons why I am so attracted to The Rule of St. Benedict is because of what is written in Chapter 4: The Tools of Good Works verse 21: "the love of Christ must come before all else."   And later in the famous Chapter 53: The Reception of Guests, Benedict writes: "All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matt 25:35). 

It is true what St. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, that our nature is such that we do what we do not want to, and do not do what we know we should.   It is in our human nature to give ourselves over to what we know is not the best for us, and do what is leaning on the worst side.   However, the story does not end there.   In chapter 8:1 of Romans we read that "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."   The victory won for us by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is such, that we no longer need to held captive to sin, but have the freedom of children adopted by God through Christ (See Ephesians 1:3-14).

Jesus invites all of us to come to Him so that we may find our rest in Him.  We are not bound by attitudes and behaviors of prejudice, cruel rhetoric and judgmental thinking.   In Christ Jesus we have all been made free women and men to pursue the goal of "overcoming all these things through the One who has loved us. (See Romans 8:37).    And, because Christ has loved us, we  must be willing to open our eyes, minds and hearts to show reverence and respect for the dignity of every human person, welcoming Christ in them. 

The Hobby Lobby decision this week is a disaster in terms of what being a Christian really means.  It suggests demeaning and stereotyping women who decide to use contraception including in cases where it protects them from more than an unwanted pregnancy.   A woman is no less of a Christian if she uses contraception, nor is she more of a Christian because she does not.   A man is not less of a Christian if he uses a condom to protect himself from HIV or other STD's, or from impregnating a woman accidentally.   A man is not more of a Christian because he is married to a woman and with her has seven children, etc.  Whether individuals practice or do not practice certain things, does not, nor should it mean, that we deprive them of their dignity as human beings just because.  The greatest evil in the Hobby Lobby decision is that it gives Christians the license to make value judgments on each other, when we have had more than enough of that.

As we move forward, may our prayers and work be for the good of all individuals without prejudice or undue harm.  May our Lord Jesus help us to make room in our hearts for His presence as He comes to us in all persons.   May we honor and reverence the presence of Christ in others.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments
by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your
Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole
heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 9, Book of Common Prayer, p.230).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the
earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the
strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in
accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.258)