Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Whom Are We Ignoring?

Today's Scripture Readings

Amos 6:1a, 4-7 (NRSV)

Alas for those who are at ease in Zion,

and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria.

Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory,

and lounge on their couches,

and eat lambs from the flock,

and calves from the stall;

who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp,

and like David improvise on instruments of music;

who drink wine from bowls,

and anoint themselves with the finest oils,

but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile,

and the revelry of the loungers shall pass away.

Psalm 146 (BCP., p.803)


1 Timothy 6:6-19 (NRSV)

There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time-- he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Luke 16: 19-31 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Blog Reflection

In her book The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to A Meaningful Life, Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB writes:

We are all Seekers of the God who is here but invisible to the blind eye; who calls to us but is unheard by those who do not listen; who touches our lives wherever we are, but is unfelt by those whose hearts are closed to the presence of God-- who is everywhere, in everyone at all times (page 21).

The parable in today's Gospel Reading contains some fascinating images.  It is not unlike the image in the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55.   The rich are brought down, while the poor are raised up.  Yet, in  Luke 16:19-31, Jesus is taking us a step further. It is another timely message for the events we are currently living through.  

The United States House of Representatives is prepared to shut down the government which includes services to the poor and disadvantaged, Education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more.  They are prepared to close the government to keep that many more people from purchasing health insurance this year.   What is wrong with this picture?  Our Gospel has some thoughts about that for us.

According to William Barclay in The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke, the problem with the rich man is that he is so blinded by all that he has that he does not even notice poor Lazarus hungry and in need outside his gate.  In those days, people ate with their hands and not silverware.   They did not have napkins either.  They wiped their hands on pieces of bread that was later thrown out.   Lazarus longed to eat the bread crumbs that fell from the rich man's table.  The rich man was so absorbed by what he had, that he could not see past them to see his suffering brother at his gate.   He ignored Lazarus.  He chose to forget about Lazarus.  He had everything.  He had nothing to lose, or so he thought.

Before we get too lost in the judgement rendered, I think we need to look at it from the stand point of what affects one person, affects us all.   What goes around, comes around.   When the rich man having to face the reality of what his actions did to one man, he now has to face what they meant for him too.  Not only has his choice to ignore Lazarus brought him an eternal hell, it has also affected others whom he left behind.   Now he finds himself in the place of need, only to learn that the man whom he ignored now serves a greater master.  A master who did not forget his suffering, but shared in it with him and rewarded him for his faith in God, despite his poor state in life.   For the rich man, ignoring Lazarus meant he ignored God.

When we ignore others around us, we are ignoring Jesus.  The Jesus who is present and calling out to us from those places where He has been forgotten.  In the immigrant seeking to be welcomed into a country where she/he can find a peaceful place to raise a family.  Jesus is in the lesbian teen being bullied in school. Jesus is in the transgender homecoming queen who has gotten hate messages from all over.   Jesus is in the LGBT people being terrorized in Russia.  Jesus is in the millions of Americans who cannot get health insurance, who need food stamps, the women who need reproductive health care.   Jesus is present in the mother of an African American son who was gunned down, just because of his skin color.  When we ignore these, we ignore Jesus.

Who and where do we hear Jesus calling out to us to recognize him?

Are our ears open to Jesus as He calls to us?

Are we walking past Jesus as He cries out for help?

What would make us listen better?

I would suggest that if we are not taking time to spend in silence with Jesus in our hearts and lives, we will become deaf as He calls us elsewhere.   If we do not open our own hearts to Jesus who wants to share room in our hearts and lives, to nourish us in the Eucharist, we will not hear Jesus in those who are in need.   Our hearts become cold.  We become complacent.  We ignore the call of Christ in our sisters and brothers.

Jesus is calling us today.   Are we listening for Jesus?


Prayers

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing
mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we,
running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of
your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 21, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

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).




Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: What God Are We Serving?

Today's Scripture Readings

Amos 8:4-7 (NRSV)

Hear this, you that trample on the needy,

and bring to ruin the poor of the land,

saying, "When will the new moon be over

so that we may sell grain;

and the sabbath,

so that we may offer wheat for sale?

We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,

and practice deceit with false balances,

buying the poor for silver

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

and selling the sweepings of the wheat."

The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.

Psalm 113 (BCP., p.756)


1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NRSV)

First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For

there is one God;

there is also one mediator between God and humankind,

Christ Jesus, himself human,

who gave himself a ransom for all

-- this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Luke 16:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, `What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, `What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, `How much do you owe my master?' He answered, `A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, `Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' Then he asked another, `And how much do you owe?' He replied, `A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, `Take your bill and make it eighty.' And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave 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."

Blog Reflection

St. Hildegard of Bingen in her Book of Life's Merits wrote:

Greed says: "I snatch all things to myself. I hug all things to my breast; the more i have gathered the more I have......  When I have whatever I need, I have no worries about needing anything from someone else."  Simple sufficiency replies: "You are harsh and devoid of mercy because you do not care for the advancement of others.  Nothing is sufficient to satisfy you.  I, however, sit above the stars, for all of God's good things are sufficient for me..... What should I desire more than I need?" 

Christians can write all the smear they want to suggest that abortion, sex outside marriage, and gay marriage are a danger to to the moral welfare of society.  Greed however, is far worse than they all are.   No social disease destroys communities in the way that the desire for millions of dollars and all the power that comes with it   Consumerism and it's drive on technology, fashion, transportation, luxury, more speed, and the suggestion that these deliver social and personal popularity is among the greatest of lies that are taken as truth.    

The Bible readings this weekend are calling us to be more responsible for the good things God gives us.  We are challenged to look beyond ourselves to see the needs of others beyond us.  The Scriptures are trying to tell us that having what we need is one thing.  When we take more than our share, and deprive others of the basic necessities of life we allow ourselves to worship another god, who is not our God. 

We have been so blessed in our time, yet we never have enough.   We seem to be in an endless desire for more and more. 

Benedictines do not have an issue with using the things we are given for the purpose of nourishment, shelter and even comfort.  However, Benedict makes the case that what we use, we do not own.   Everything, including our bodies are on loan to us.  We are responsible for using what we are given out of reverence and respect for God who gives us what we need.   In addition, God places on us the responsibility to share what we have with those who are in need.   We share not out of fear, but out of love.  Love for God, our neighbor and ourselves.

This past week, we saw our U.S. House of Representatives vote to decrease funding for food stamps, and to defund health care for political gain.  These issues are no longer about those who are unemployed receiving help with food, and the sick receiving health care without becoming homeless.  It is about power to control things for the benefit of the wealthy few, at the expense of the many struggling for hope and prosperity.   As Christians, it is our moral obligation to be concerned when the needy, especially when they are already on the ground wounded from life's brutality, getting kicked in the stomach by those who should be doing all they can to help them.  God is giving us the opportunity to speak up and become active on their behalf.   We have the chance to live out the meaning of our Baptismal vows.

We have had too many incidents of mass shootings.  The US Navy yard in Washington, D.C.  The shooting of 28 people, 20 of them children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, CT.  High School shootings. A mass shooting at Virginia Tech. Yet, the NRA and those frightening people into believing false conspiracy theories about the Government are able to convince our Congressional leaders that there is no need for universal background checks and stricter laws regulating dangerous weapons.  

We have laws being passed that make it more difficult for African Americans, Immigrants, low income people to vote for their elected officials.  Four States have refused to process benefits for legally married same-sex couples, and others have asked the National Guard in their States to not process them.   We are seeing more laws pushed that violate a woman's right to reproductive health care.  All pushed for by individuals using their billion dollars to affect the laws that benefit them, but are so destructive to others.

What God are we serving?  What God do we wish to serve?

Jesus is telling us in this parable that those who have been given responsibility for much, are accountable for what we do with what we are given.    Do we hold ourselves accountable?

We have been gathered together as the Body of Christ to worship Him and celebrate the new life given us by His death and resurrection.   We have been given God's gift of the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ to all the ends of the earth.   We have been united to Christ and one another through the Eucharist with a sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ.  We have every reason to serve God in the people and with those things that are given to us, so as to give God the glory that God so rightly deserves.  

Perhaps we should remember today the words we read at Vespers on Friday: "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Amen.


Prayers

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to
love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among
things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall
endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 20, Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the
nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh;
and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, p.100).

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).

  

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: God's Everlasting Mercy Searches for Us

Today's Scripture Verses

Exodus 32:7-14 (NRSV)

The LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said,
`These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation."

But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, `It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, `I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'" And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

Psalm 51 (BCP., p.656)


1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NRSV)

I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV)

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Blog Reflection

Of all the things that people spend money and time on, none is more precious than searching for someone who's been lost.  Children who were separated from their biological parents have searched to find their birth mother and/or father, because they just want to know them.  People who get separated from their loved one's and want to know where they are, will go at great lengths to be reunited.  

God, our Creator, though humankind still refuses to grow up in our love for God, our neighbor and ourselves, still searches for us.  Our sins that keep us from growth spiritually and socially hurt God very much.  God does not force God's will upon any of us.  God gave us the opportunity to chose growth in grace, or to remain as stubborn children.  Yet, even our decision does not stop God from loving us so much.  God still remains faithful to us, and waits for us to turn back to God.  Not just as a matter of personal spiritual growth, but in our relationships with one another.

The Christian Faith is not a religion that is all to ourselves. Our Faith is about community.  As Christians we share our lives of faith with others in this world, including those who do not share our particular world view.  Yet, we live by faith and not by sight.  In other words, what we believe and practice in our worship and prayer, needs to become how we live.  If as the hymn says; 'There's a wideness in God's mercy..." then why are the hearts and arms of Christians so narrow?

The readings for this weekend are all about God's transforming grace & everlasting mercy.  They invite us into relationship with our God and one another, so to experience and share that mercy.    It is so easy to be the recipients of God's wonderful works, and then forget what God has done and put other things between us and God.  The Israelites in Exodus, did just that.  God's anger was so roused. Yet, Moses interceded for them, and God's mercy was abundant. God's generosity was extended.

In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us that no one is so horrible a sinner, that He will not search for them and bring them back to safety.  We are all like that sheep who get lost, or the coin that is missing, and God gives up everything God has to find us, and bring us back into redeemed relationship with God through Christ.  All of us are counted as precious in God's sight to the point that God gave us Jesus Christ so that we may find our way back to God to live holy lives.   To bring comfort to those who mourn.   To feed the hungry, and give company to the lonely.  To welcome the immigrant and help her/him to find their home among us.  To encourage LGBTQ teens to live as they are without the fear of bullying or religious based violence.  To call for an end to the out of control anti-gay violence in Russia.  To call for justice for the oppressed in those who experience racial and gender bias in their jobs, communities and churches.

God's grace and mercy want so much to transform us and the world around us.  God's Holy Spirit gives us God's gifts so that we can be people of mercy and help others find their way to God.  It begins with the ministry of hospitality and reconciliation, through which God's mercy gives new hope to those in despair.  As recipients of God's mercy, we must give praise, honor and glory to God by sharing with others the mercy that we have received. After all, what could be better in our world of violence, oppression and darkness, than to share the Light of God's everlasting mercy in Christ Jesus, our Lord?

Amen.


Prayers

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen. (Proper 19: Book of Common Prayer. p.233).

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.  (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, p.101).

 

Sixteeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Are We Followers or Disciples?

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 18:1-11 (NRSV)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Psalm 139 (BCP., p.749).


Philemon 1-21 (NRSV)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
 
For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-- and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-- especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 

Luke 14:25-33 (NRSV)
 

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 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

There is an old hymn written by Adelaide A. Pollard that I think says quite beautifully what the Prophet Jeremiah is talking about.

Have Thine own way, Lord!  Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and after Thy will.
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Jeremiah is prophesying God's word to God's people.  God is disappointed with the people that are God's inheritance.  They have been turning away from the Lord, and forgetting their obligations to the One who delivered their ancestors, and gave them so much to be thankful for.  Rather than sharing what they had with the poor and the oppressed around them, they became empathetic.  They resisted the opportunity for repentance and conversion for that sake of God's Name.  They resisted the opportunity to allow God to change them, so that they would live holy lives.  God wants so many good things for God's people, but there is only so much God can do, if we do not give ourselves over so God can do God's will in our lives.

Are we willing to let God shape and mold us to serve God and others?

How much do we cling to those things that keep us from growing closer to God?

What might we do to allow God to mold and change us?

The Psalmist in Psalm 139 is praying that God knows so much about us, that there is very little God does not know about us.  God alone knows what is in the depths of our hearts, and there is no where we can go where God is not found.  We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made" and God knows it well.  Regardless of what people may do with the many labels that are used to denigrate others, in God we are all wonderful and loved in every fiber of our being.  

Reading today's Gospel too literally will get any reader into a lot of trouble. Jesus is not telling us to hate our family.  He is not telling us that if we love our parents and family, we are not His disciples.   William Barclay in The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus is helping us to understand that there is a difference between being a follower of Jesus and a Disciple.  Anyone can follow the leader, but not everyone will understand and follow in the footsteps that were leading Jesus to the Cross.  A Disciple will need to do more than just follow Jesus, but will have to be willing to pick up their own Cross.  A follower will say that one is a Christian, may be attend worship services, pray the creeds, and go to Communion.  A Disciple will do all of those things and more, not to just get them done, but because growing closer to God and discerning God's will for their lives is more important to them, than having a name that just gets them a good reputation. 

In this Gospel the second piece is taking in to account what you have, so that you may determine how serious one is about the call to Discipleship.  A great example of this is the formation process a person and a Religious and/or Christian Community go through to discern God's will.  The purpose is to be sure that both sides take into account where they themselves are, and where God is leading them, so as to determine as best as possible, that God is leading both to a life long commitment to each other.  The same can be said about two people preparing for marriage.  The preparation for marriage is to be sure that all parties are prepared to be Disciples and not just followers as they enter into a relationship that is about love, commitment and responsibility.  Whether the couple is lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual and/or transgender, the commitment to God and each other in marriage is the same.  It is a life lived by giving of oneself for the benefit of the other.

The Church and society find ourselves in some major situations that are God's call on our lives to be Disciples and not just followers.  As we take into account the terrible consequences of a military strike in Syria, we should be considering the equally terrible consequences to the civilian people there, who have already suffered terrible losses.  If we do not think very carefully about the further damage to our own economy as we take money out of important public services like education, public safety, infrastructure, food stamps and health care to go to war more people here will suffer from poverty and joblessness.   We do not need more war and military destruction.  We need conversations, and political actions that make what the Syrian Government has done to it's own people, morally unacceptable, without more casualties to add to those that have already happened. 

We need to decide if we are followers of Christ only, or actual Disciples when it comes to telling the world what the message of Christ is really about with regards to sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  If we wish to be Disciples then we will do everything we can to speak up against bullying of students and children because they are LGBTQ.   Because being a Disciple means upholding the dignity and integrity of all people, and no one is a scapegoat.  Suicide because of bullying is a societal tragedy, and must not be acceptable for any reason.

As Disciples who carry our Cross, we will speak up in favor of immigration reform, call for an end to racism, sexism, and using the Christian Faith to bully people by creating and promoting conspiracy theories to create fear and intimidation.  

As Disciples we are to promote peace, justice, inclusion and equality for all people.  We are called to ask for the grace of God so that we can be do our part with the Holy Spirit to "renew the face of the earth" (Psalm 104:31).

Are we followers of Christ only, or are we Disciples?

Amen.


Prayers

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as
you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength,
so you never forsake those who make their boast of your
mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Proper 18, Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

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).

Mark 14:66-72: Would You Have Done Better Than Peter?

Today's Scripture Reading

Mark 14: 66-72 (NRSV)

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. 

Blog Reflection

Welcome to a new month. September. Children are going back to school. College/University classes have begun. Work schedules are being rearranged by parents and adult students to be sure they meet their obligations to education.   The green leaves will start to change color as Summer gives way to Fall.   In some parts of the country the air will get noticeably colder.  The evenings will get darker earlier.

Our Gospel for Vesper's today takes us to the Passion of Jesus, and His trial before the Pharisees, Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders.   Yesterday, Jesus when asked by the high Priest "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus answered: "I am....." (Mark 14:61,62).   Today, is about Peter.  Peter finally gets his chance to live up to that promise he made to Jesus only moments earlier in Mark 14:29-31.  "Even though all become deserters, I will not" said Peter.  Yet, here is Peter having denied even knowing who Jesus was when Peter was spotted by those standing near by him.

It is real easy to scapegoat poor Peter.   Peter should have known better shouldn't he?   After all, isn't Peter the one who confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God? (See Matthew 16:16).  Yes, this is Peter.  Confronted by his own fears of what could happen to him if he is identified with being with Jesus, at this moment of Jesus trial, passion and His coming death on the cross.   Rather than be "the man," Peter shows that he needs Jesus and His Cross so very much, because Peter like the rest of us talk the talk, but we often fail to walk the walk.

Would any of us really have done any better than Peter?   Is there any one of us who would have gladly said: "Yes, I was with Jesus!!" And be ready to face being beaten like Jesus was, and Peter just witnessed?  Do we really think we are more superior?

Are we ready to be there with Jesus as He gets arrested and thrown into jail for distributing LGBT equality materials in the young man that has just been arrested in Russia?    

Are we willing to stand at trial with Jesus as Congressional Democrats who criticized President Bush for rushing to go to war in Iraq, are now ready to support President Obama in a military strike in Syria?   

What would we do, if Jesus were on trial before us, and someone asked us if we are following Jesus?

Would we call for a Vestry meeting to discuss the costs of doing so, before deciding?

Would we ask for the consents of all of the Bishops and Standing Committees through out the Episcopal Church?

Would we hold an election vote with propaganda and expensive commercials to persuade our decision?

Jesus is on trial, being beaten and prepared to be handed over to be crucified.   Are we really ready to go there with Him?

Could and/or would we really do any better than Peter?

Amen.


Prayer

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Fridays, Book of Common Prayer, p.99).


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).