Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: All are Invited to Eat

Today's Scripture Readings


2 Kings 4:42-44 (NRSV)

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat." But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, `They shall eat and have some left.'" He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the LORD. 

Psalm 145,  BCP., p. 802


Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV)

I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

 

John 6:1-21 (NRSV)

Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

Blog Reflection

Another fish and loaves story.

Jesus feeds the multitudes again.

Where have we heard this story before?

Rev. Ian McAlister wrote a bit about this particular story appearing in all four Gospels.

It’s as if the more times a miracle is recorded across the Gospels, the more we need to take notice. Why? Isn’t just one recorded miracle enough any more?

Have I missed something? Sure, I can see the point that a miracle is emphasised by repetition but why? Are we now at a point where we are grading miracles as if they’re in an Olympic pre-selection trial? That the Gold Medal goes to the one that appears in all 4 Gospels?

I would have thought that any miracle is worth a look, whether or not it appears in multiple places, wouldn’t you?

On the other hand, instead of observing the number of repetitions – as if we are in some theological sporting contest – maybe I should concentrate on the content of the Miracle.

This particular Gospel story appears as we begin a series of Sundays using the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John.   We will be reading and hearing a lot about Jesus coming to feed us with the Goodness of God.   Jesus will proclaim himself as the bread of life, who feeds us with God's presence in the Holy Eucharist.  Every three years during while we are reading the Gospel of Mark, we stop during these weeks of August to reflect on our belief in God being with us, and providing for us, by feeding us and uniting us one to another.

As Christians, when we talk about being united as the Body of Christ we face the reality of how much we are not united in Christ. We read the Bible.  We talk of seeking salvation for all people in and through the Name of Jesus Christ.  We hear sermons, sing hymns, read writings and books about God's unconditional love.  All of that, which is true for us, stops with people of different religions, sexual orientations, gender, gender identity/expression, many cultures such as the Native Americans, and immigrants, those who are poor, sick, in need and more.  We find more ways for exceptions, such as interpreting the Bible literally to exclude, stereo type and denigrate.

No where in today's Gospel do we hear Jesus questioning whether someone in the hungry crowd should be excluded from being fed with God's Goodness.  Jesus knows there are needs to be cared for.  That need is substantive and requires a physical touch from God as well as spiritual and intellectual fulfillment. God comes in Christ to care for those needs with the utmost care for each person. God desires to include those who's voter rights have been disenfranchised, or refused Holy Communion.  In Christ, God's heart is made visible with the intention to reach out, welcome, to bring healing and reconciliation to those who are in need or alone.  The place where God feeds the hungry, is a place for all who seek to be fed by unconditional and all-inclusive love.  God's house is a place of prayer for everyone.

The invitation of God needs to be that of the Church.  To invite all to be fed and nourished, without judgment or exclusion.  The intention of God to reach out and find room for all people, can be so of Christians of all sects.  God's work of seeking the lost and forsaken to heal, not exploit is what our Baptismal Covenant is really about..

As embark on these last weeks of Summer, may we take time to sup with Christ.  May we also take time to ask God to help us to reach out to those who often feel excluded.   Let us be open to the Holy Spirit using us in new and exciting ways to help the Church become more hospitable, and a place of healing for so much brokenness.


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).


Gracious Father, we pray for they 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).


Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: Shepherd Jesus, Lead Us to Rest

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (NRSV)

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

Psalm 23 BCP., p. 612


Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSV)
 

Remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" -- a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands-- remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (NRSV)

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Blog Reflection

Jason and I returned from our vacation last Sunday.   It was difficult to come back to Minnesota after spending 8 wonderful days in Provincetown, Massachusetts.  We spent some much needed time together, visited my mother who lives not far from there, and attended my 25th High School Reunion on Friday of that week.  

It was good to get away for a while.  Put down the usual work, pace of life, posting on Facebook and Twitter day after day.  Just to breath the magnificent salt air of the Atlantic Ocean on Cape Cod Bay.  Walk around and have a sense of freedom.   Meet some new people.  Renew our longing for God.

In the Gospel today, Jesus invites the disciples to come away with him and rest for a bit.  They had returned from their missionary work of sharing the good news in the near by towns.  Jesus and those who followed him, were inundated by people for hours and days on end.   Jesus, the Good Shepherd said: "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." 

Our summer sabbath is a time of rest and relaxation.  A time to recollect and renew ourselves.  Time to put some things down for a bit and seek refreshment.   Everyone needs that from time to time.

It is very difficult to take that time with the news and activities taking place around us.   The news of the shooting in Colorado leave us asking so many questions, that are difficult to ask.  Even more difficult to get a desired reply to.  How can we find rest and consolation with such violence and oppression alive and well?  

The Christianists are not helping things much with their claims that the shootings happened because of liberalism, abortion, homosexuality, or saying that only the Christians will go to heaven.  One Christianist tried to suggest that the shooting happened because of "churches welcoming gay and lesbian people."   Could that person have been referring to the Episcopal Church particularly given that our convention was two weeks ago and we made some important progress towards more inclusion of LGBT people?

In a well written article in Time Ideas, Jon Meacham wrote the following.

Given that sexual orientation is innate and that we are all, in theological terms, children of God, to deny access to some sacraments based on sexuality is as wrong as denying access to some sacraments based on race or gender. This is not about secular politics (though the secular political world is coming to share these views) but about the perennial human effort to follow the ancient commandment to love one another as ourselves.

Among the prayers we need to say during our time of rest and refreshment, is the prayer that God's people will be more open to inclusion and welcoming of people who are different than ourselves.  In the age of a high spirited discussion about "entitlements" that are really necessities for living, one thing we must be very careful about, is assuming that salvation in and through the grace of God is an entitlement.  Such is the case with those who say that only Christians will enter God's eternal presence.   Last I heard, God is not accepting applications for a replacement.  I seem to remember a warning Jesus gave in which he said: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Mt. 7:21).  We might want to be a bit more careful about thinking we are getting there because of some entitlement.

However, Jesus who is God's perfect revelation of Self, calls us to come away with him and rest.  Jesus never said that only Christians, or Caucasian males, or straight people should rest with him.  The invitation to find hospitality, reconciliation and refreshment in God is an open invitation, that has no closed doors.  The altar of God's real presence in the Eucharist is open to all who wish to come and find rest in the grace and mercy of God.  The Erotic Christ, wishes to touch all of us with the his healing and holiness so that we will know that we are loved, cherished and desired by God.  God wishes to quench our thirst, and feed our hungry hearts and souls.  God wants to share God's Self with us, totally and with all self abandonment.  God seeks us, unselfish of God's Self, and invites all of us to seek unconditional and all-inclusive love in God's grace.   

May we know today, that Jesus is our Shepherd.  Jesus calls us to rest with him, and to seek to heal and restore those relationships with God and one another.   

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Mt. 11:28).

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).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.  (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, p. 833).  

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost: What if Provincetown is more what Jesus meant the Reign of God to be like?

Today's Scripture Reading

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Blog Reflection

My partner Jason and I are on vacation this week in Provincetown, Massachusetts.   A place where LGBT equality and general acceptance of all kinds of people is a given.   Every where we walk there are people of all kinds of sexual orientations and/or gender identities/expressions walking around, hand in hand.  Shopping.  Kissing.  Greeting each other, warmly and with hospitality.  Sharing a meal together.  Sharing a taxi cab from one end of the town to the other. 

As I am reading the news of all that is going on with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, I am thinking these thoughts.   All of the legislation, debates, conversations, decisions.  Should the Church pass the rites for the blessing of same-sex relationships?  Should there be equal treatment of transgender people in the Church, protecting them from discrimination?  How should the structure of the Episcopal Church change?

In our Gospel today, Jesus shows us how he lived and then he sends out his disciples to live how he lived.  Seeking peace, repentance and reconciliation.  If they find a place where they are not received in hospitality, he tells them to shake the dust from their feet.

What if the Church, the world were a place where we just walked hand in hand with each other?

What if society and the Church celebrated the goodness in all of us together?

What if we brought about the reign of God by healing, loving, holding hands?  Greeting each other in friendship, even with everything about each other that drives us and them crazy.

For one thing, we wouldn't be able to just walk past those who are on the margins of society and the Church blindly, or as if they are not there.  We would have to do all that we could to be more inclusive, hospitable and reconciling.   We would work for justice, equality and peace.  Economic equality.  Equality for women, LGBT people, Native Americans, Muslims, Jewish people.  There would be the understanding that everyone's equality is a given, so we all work together to make it happen.

I hope that we will all take some time to relax and unwind this Summer.  To find those places that seem like the work of equality for all is a given, and almost taken for granted, rather than be the exception.  Places to connect with God, others and ourselves so that we can be re-energized for the ministry of inclusiveness and hospitality. 


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).

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).

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: The Erotic and Life-Giving Touch of God

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24 (NRSV)

God did not make death,

And he does not delight in the death of the living.

For he created all things so that they might exist;

the generative forces of the world are wholesome,

and there is no destructive poison in them,

and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.

For righteousness is immortal.

 

God created us for incorruption,

and made us in the image of his own eternity,

but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,

and those who belong to his company experience it.

Psalm 30  BCP. p. 621


2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NRSV)

As you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something-- now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-- not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

"The one who had much did not have too much,

and the one who had little did not have too little."

Mark 5:21-43 (NRSV)

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." He went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, `Who touched me?'" He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?" But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Blog Reflection

I struggled a lot with my sexual orientation, but even more so with just being a sexual person period when I was in my youth.   I was literally afraid of any nude image I might look at, for the fear of all the stuff my religious righty pastor was telling me, just might be true.  I would feel so guilty and foolish, like my sexuality was something that I had to run from. 

You might be surprised to hear that my opinions began to change a little bit, while I was considering becoming a Catholic.  One day, I was having a conversation with the Deacon at the Parish church where I was attending RCIA classes.  When I told him about the complications I was having, he told me: "You know what, Philip, God did not put us on this earth to be miserable."  It took me many more years to finally accept what he said to be true.  Only when I finally came out of my closet for the second time in my life in 2008 after leaving the Courage ex-gay group that was started by Cardinal Cook, and just learned to accept myself, my body, who I am and how I love my partner and so forth, that I began to finally be at some peace about the whole thing.

Why might I be writing all of this here with the Bible readings for this weekend?

Why have I entitled this blog reflection as "The Erotic and Life-Giving Touch of God" ?

This weekend's readings have a sense of telling us that God does not want us to be miserable, alone or even dead as if we have no hope of anything beyond.   Quite the opposite.  The readings here, tell us that God so wants us, you and me, to be joyful, have some fun, experience the presence and touch of others and to receive that life-giving touch that comes from God, through the person of Jesus.

In his book, From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ, Patrick S. Cheng has an entire chapter entitled: Model One: The Erotic Christ.  About this idea, Cheng writes:

The Erotic Christ arises out of the reality that Jesus Christ, as the Word made flesh, is the very embodiment of God's deepest desires for us.  In the words of the Nicene Creed, Jesus Christ came down from heaven not for God's own self-gratification, but rather 'for us and our salvation."  In the gospels, Jesus repeatedly shows his love and desire for all those who come into contact with him, including physical touch.  He uses touch as a way to cure people of disease and disabilities, as well as to bring back to life.  He washes the feet of his disciples, and he even allows the Beloved Disciple to lie close to his breast at the last supper.

Conversely, Jesus is touched physically by many of the people who come into contact with him.  He is touched by the bleeding woman who hoped that his power could heal her.  He is bathed in expensive ointment by the woman at Bethany.  He is kissed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Following the crucifixion, Jesus' body is cleaned and prepared by others for burial.  After his resurrection, Jesus allows Thomas to place his finger in the mark of the nails and also to place his hand in his side.  All of these physical interactions are manifestations of God's love for us--and our reciprocal love for God--through the Erotic Christ (pages 70-71).

In the touch of God and our reaching out to touch God, we experience the healing and life-giving sensation of being loved, wanted and reciprocating our love and want for God.  When people who love each other deeply, regardless of their gender and/or sexual orientation, and reach out to touch another, and be touched in return, it is life-giving and filled with divine grace.   It is one of the many wonderful ways in which God reaches out to us, for us in self-giving love and gives us the opportunity to reach out to touch God with the same self-less love.  

The stories told in our Gospel about the woman who reached out for the hem of Jesus' garment, and the raising of the man's daughter, we see that God's touch is as much erotic, as it is life-giving, as it is healing, forgiving and reconciling.  It changes the lives of those who come into contact with God, through the person of Jesus. 

In our Baptism and participation in the Holy Communion, we are claimed as belonging to Christ, as he reaches out to claim us as God's own, and to unite us to one another through Christ's Body and Blood.  Is there a better reason as to why the Sacrament of the Eucharist is about us being touched by the real presence of Christ, in a bond of holy love?

Later this week and the first part of the week after, the Episcopal Church will be gathering for the General Convention.  At the Convention there will be legislation considered and hopefully passed.   Among them are the approval of Rites to bless same-sex couples in matrimonial ceremonies.  There will also be language to be accepted into the Canons of the Episcopal Church regarding gender expression and/or identity for transgender people.  They will be discussing hot issues such as whether individuals must be baptized to receive Holy Communion, a Church wide wish for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, and deep concern regarding bullying.  These and many other actions open the doors for ministry that recognizes God's erotic and life-giving touch for all people, including, but not limited to LGBT people.   As well as individuals who are just looking to draw closer to God by being fed, even if they are not ready for Baptism. 

As a Church and as people of God, we need to be more open to God's touch being erotic and life-giving.  We also need to be ready and willing to share the erotic and life-giving touch that brings healing and wholeness to others as well as to ourselves.  God has called the Church to the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation, so that, the reign of God can continue to become a reality in the here and  now.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a
holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 8, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).


Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Poor and Neglected, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).


Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head:
Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their
solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find
fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those Who Live Alone, Book of Common Prayer, p. 829).