Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Living Our Faith from the Heart

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 17:1-7 (NRSV)

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." The Lord said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 (BCP., p.694)


Philippians 2:1-13 (NRSV)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death--

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

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.

Matthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will say to us, `Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, `Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, `Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, `I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, `I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."

Blog Reflection

I am going to be blunt in this blog post.  We Christians can be among the most selfish of all the worlds religions.   It is easy to dismiss how much Christians think only of ourselves with ISIS murdering individuals of various faiths, in particular Christians who in fact are martyrs.  Christian Church history is full of real martyrs and self made martyrs.  Christians in the here and now, can make martyrs of ourselves, whether or not there is a persecution of Christians.  A great example of such is the whole "Religious Liberty" argument to stop marriage equality.  When we stop listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit within ourselves and in others, that we become so self absorbed, that we cannot see what is really happening.

God showed the people of Israel how powerful God was in delivering them out of the slavery in Egypt, and crossing the Red Sea on dry ground.   God supplied them with manna from heaven so they would not starve.  Now they are thirsty.   Just like they did before they went through the Red Sea, and finally got the manna, they grumbled against Moses because they had no water.   In both situations, they pleaded for the life they had in Egypt.   A life of oppression, forced labor and the killing of all the male children which were thrown into the Nile River.   In the end, God grants them what they wanted.

There are many things that St. Benedict shows his dislike for in The Rule. The one that he expressly forbade, was murmuring or grumbling.   His reason for that, was that murmuring or grumbling has the power to disrupt the life of the community.  When a member begins to grumble, the focus of the community is taken away from silence, prayer and searching for union with God.   Instead, the focus is the grumbling member.   On one hand, St. Benedict had the flexibility in The Rule so that such grumbling can be avoided.  On the other, if a member is endlessly murmuring, it is difficult for the member to pay attention to God in the heart.  In addition, she/he can distract others.    The best way to keep the focus on our prayerful vocation, is to eliminate as many distractions as possible.   St. Benedict wants the members of his communities, to focus on what God is doing in the life of the community.  To seek union with God through a continuous life of prayer and work.

The reading from Paul's Epistle to the Philippians and the Gospel of Matthew ask the reader to take our Faith to our hearts and live it from there.  Those who were challenging Jesus wanted to know where He got the authority to do what He was doing.  As Jesus challenges them with the question about John the Baptist, they are missing the point.  John the Baptist and Jesus are doing the work of God, because people who were thought to be on the margins of society are coming forward and experiencing a deep conversion that awakens in them, a heart felt living faith in God.   How far does that go?   The conversion experience means that people are feeling the call of God to be obedient from the heart, even after they have said no, like the first son in the parable.    The other son may have said yes, but in his heart, his faith was dead.  

This past week, many of us in the Twin Cities area received the distressing news that Archbishop John Neinstedt of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, requested the resignation of a music director.   He was asked to resign, not because he is gay.   He was asked to resign because he married his same-gender partner.  Jamie Moore has held the job for 17 years.   Those who have worked with him all these years were aware that he is gay, and has a partner.  So long as he lived as a second class citizen without the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a married man, his job was safe.   As soon as he married his partner, his job as a lay employee was considered a matter that could "confuse Catholics about the teachings of the Church."  That is a paraphrase.   As if the blatant hypocrisy was not enough, a Priest who has been accused of inappropriate sexual contact with children, has been promoted to the Archdiocesan marriage annulment panel.   

Things like what I just wrote about above are why the Christian Religion in all of it's various denominations, including the Anglicans gets a bad name.   When people who are wondering whether or not God really exists, or if Jesus Christ really is the loving Savior read about things like this; they just find our Faith so difficult to believe in.   The same conclusion might be reached by people who just cannot understand why the faculty at General Theological Seminary in New York is on strike.   There is an impasse that cannot be over come between the faculty, the Dean, President, and Board of Trustees in an Episcopal Seminary?   Disagreements are one thing.   This kind of thing is a disgrace.

As I began this blog post, Christians can be very selfish.   We would like to believe that we own all the religions in the world, along with all the governments and provinces.  The fact is, we do not.  As Episcopalians, our Baptismal Covenant asks us to answer "We will, with God's help" to "Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human person" (The Book of Common Prayer, p.305).   When we make these promises with a sincere desire to be open to how the Holy Spirit leads us to live into that vow, and do our work even though we may say no with our voices, our Faith is lived from the heart.   When and if we do otherwise, our yes is lip service only.  

That is why the Epistle from Paul is so important for this Sunday's lectionary.   Jesus Christ did more than pay lip service to God and humankind.  Jesus made becoming a servant to humankind so important, that not even equality with God was something He exploited.  If doing so meant that he had to die the horrible death on the Cross, that's what He did.   Because of that, the Name of Jesus Christ is exalted and glorified.   How much more exalted and glorified is the Name of Jesus Christ, when Christians work for equality and justice to end oppression due to the sin of prejudice?  Is there any greater evidence of how real living the Christian Faith from the heart can be?

How are you being called to live the Christian Faith from the heart?

In what ways do you say no and do what you must do to live your Faith from the heart?

In what ways do you say yes to living your Faith from the heart, but do not do it?

This weekend, Jesus is calling on us to see the work of God's redemption in our lives, and to live from the heart the Faith we proclaim.    Now is a good time to respond to that call.

Amen.


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, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

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, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

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, The Book of Common Prayer, p.823).

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: How Do We Express Thanks for God's Generosity?

Today's Scripture Readings

Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV)

When God saw what the people of Nineveh did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live." And the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city.

The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, "It is better for me to die than to live."

But God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?" And he said, "Yes, angry enough to die." Then the LORD said, "You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?"

Psalm 145 (BCP. p.801)


Philippians 1:21-30 (NRSV)

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well-- since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, `You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, `Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, `Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Blog Reflection

My husband Jason and I had a real revelation over the past few weeks.   A dear friend of ours who has been homeless and jobless in Duluth, Minnesota moved into the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.   Given his situation, we invited him to stay in our apartment for a couple weeks until he found a place to go that could provide him with a greater potential of stability.   We were very happy to have him here.  However, it didn't take long before we began to realize what his being in our home caused  us to miss.   Our many days and nights at home by ourselves.   Making meals for only the two of us.   Being able to leave our apartment together without worrying about whom we might leave behind, and what he would do while we were gone.   Just the space to say whatever we want to say to each other without another ear to hear what we said was no more.   All of it was gone for a period of time.   It wasn't until he left earlier this week to live with someone who can provide more for him than we can, that we realized how much we missed those things. Suddenly those things that we took for granted and never thought about, were returned.   The experience breathed new life into all that we enjoy.  

The most difficult thing for many of us to do, is to move over some, so that others can enjoy just a little bit of what we have.    Herein lies the problem of private ownership.   As Benedictines, we are exhorted to live in the reality that we really own nothing.  Everything, even those things we cannot necessarily see or touch are on loan to us.   We return them properly used back to God from who's generosity we were privileged to use them.   In chapter 33 in The Rule of St. Benedict, the monks are not to own anything in private.  Everything is given to share, as they can be by everyone in the community.  This way of living finds it's model in Acts 4:32-37.    The fact of the matter is, we have no idea how much we take possession of something until we are challenged to detach ourselves from it.   The question we might ask ourselves is, are we controlling the things we have, do and want; or, do they control us?

I think Jonah must have felt like that.  He  had given himself to the work the God gave him.   He had taken possession of the project, and even the people in what he did.   Jonah may have believed that he had the right to control even God.   We do not have a conclusion to this narrative in Jonah.   I would like to believe that in the end, he was able to let it go and accept God's will.  

The Epistle of Paul to the church at Philippi sounds that duality of the flesh and the Spirit thing again.  As educated scholars of the Bible have unwrapped the meaning of such, the common interpretation is about how much we allow ourselves to become absorbed by our own selfishness in how we use something that we forget to honor God.   Everything that is given to us, including our bodies and minds are given for God's purpose.  It is up to us to live the Gospel in how we make use of what we are given with an attitude of gratitude.   There is life in living by the Gospel.   There is death when we chose because of our own selfish motives.   

All of these Scripture Readings are culminated in the Gospel according to Matthew.   All of us are called by our common Baptism, Confirmation and whatever our state in life is, to go to work for the good of the Reign of God.    It matters not, whether one has a Church vocation or not.  It also matters very little, whether our daily work is within the Church or outside.  Each of us have been called by our name to serve God by sharing the love of Christ through the ministry of healing and reconciliation.  We are called to be active in the work of justice, equality and wholeness.   Whether that work is through contemplative prayer, direct engagement with the poor and disenfranchised, or Church administration.   The point is, we are to make room for everyone to participate so that we receive what the Lord wants us to gain with a thankful heart.

As the freedom to marry for same gender couples progresses, the rhetoric from Christianist groups grows more horrible.  Many continue to justify things like promoting bullying in the public schools so as to try to "change" LGBTQ youth.  Others would celebrate that thugs sickened the crowds at a Russian Queer Festival with a gas.  

We continue to hear degrading remarks about the poor, the unemployed and those who are sick from those who feel that all the nations resources belongs to the wealthy.  

Racism, sexism and religious based bias continues to give the Christian Faith a bad name.

All of the labels and conditions that humans give to others who are different, to decide whether one is a second class citizen, are not of God's design.  Regardless of who we are, who we love, how we love another person; God calls us and rewards us because we all serve God and one another in gratitude for all that we are given.   In chapter 20: vs 3 of The Rule of St. Benedict on the subject of reverence in prayer, he writes: "And let us remember that we will be heard not because of our many words, but because of our purity of heart and tears of compunction."   God calls us, by giving to each of us, a desire to love and serve God, to change us and others around us by a continuous conversion of life.    

May each of us rededicate ourselves to working for God's Reign from the point in which God calls us, and receive from God that which God generously gives.  May we respond with a deeper commitment to giving thanks and honoring one another as members of the household of God.

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. The Book of Common Prayer, p.234).

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, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815). 

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Unemployed.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 824).

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Forgiveness is Authentic Freedom

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 50:15-21 (NRSV)

Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?" So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, `Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Psalm 103 (BCP. p.733)


Romans 14:1-12 (NRSV)

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall give praise to God."

So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)

Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, `Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Blog Reflection

The life of Joseph in the Book of Genesis was full of ups and downs like all of us.  Sold as a slave, yet, he had the ability to interpret dreams.  His abilities gave him a unique relationship with Pharaoh, to the point that after Pharaoh's death, Joseph rose to the throne.  The conversation between Joseph and his brothers in today's reading is enough for us to believe that reconciliation is possible.   All reconciliation needs is the humility to come to terms with what we have done and what we are willing to do to fix it.

Among the things that so many of us who are Caucasian cannot figure out is why African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and so forth are so weary of trust that Americans are really prepared to end racism.  Even well passed the time of President Abraham Lincoln when the thirteenth Amendment was passed and the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. America continues to hold that white people are superior.  The shooting and death of Trayvon Martin and now Michael Brown, along with the various slanderous statements made to and about President Barack Obama, show how racist Americans remain.   The many gains of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people and their equal rights protections are a cause for celebration.   Yet, the tragic losses in terms of no actual immigration reform, equal rights for Native Americans who still cannot vote, African Americans and women fly in the face of what we are all about.   Joseph was able to forgive his brothers, because they were able to see the error of their ways.  If we are to see a better relationship with other races among us, we will have to recognize and seek reconciliation for the many ways in which we continue to deny equal rights to individuals because of their race.  Check out this article about 10 ways in which white people can fight racism. 

It is very interesting that the reading from Genesis, as well as the other optional reading from Exodus that have a connection to the subject of slavery.  It is interesting that these readings are included with the Gospel reading from Matthew.   These readings have two themes moving through them.  Interwoven within them is life has so many challenges that remain out of our hands.  Though we cannot control many of them, we can affect change in and through how we address them.  We can choose how much we allow what happens through the ignorance and/or full knowledge of others to affect our interior relationship between ourselves and our God.  We can also choose how much we allow what others do or do not do, to make a determination on how we will respond either in this moment or as we move forward.

Tomorrow, the Church will celebrate the transferred feast of The Holy Cross.  The death of Jesus Christ on the Cross granted us forgiveness of all our sins.  God in God's infinite love and mercy gave all of us the opportunity to be redeemed from all that keeps us from embracing our true vocation of divine daughters and sons.  We are also sisters and brothers in Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  The parable in Matthew's Gospel reminds us that no matter how grave our sins and faults may be, God in Christ has forgiven us.   We are asked to respond with gratitude for that forgiveness, by seeking by the same grace through which we have been forgiven, to forgive others.   God is not unsympathetic to the struggles we have in forgiving others who have hurt us so deeply.  God is willing by God's mercy to aid us towards an authentic and transparent experience of that amazing grace that helped us to see, when we were blind. 

Forgive us, Lord as we forgive.  We have heard these words, sung them, and prayed them in the Lord's Prayer. We repeat them, because we are human. Today's Gospel reading tells us that authentic freedom comes because we forgive, and forgive, and forgive again.  May we never stop praying those words.

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted
high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to
himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery
of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and
follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.  (Collect for Holy Cross Day. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 244).

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Our Enemies.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Addressing Conflict in the School of the Lord's Service

Today's Scripture Readings

Ezekiel 33:7-11 (NRSV)

You, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, "O wicked ones, you shall surely die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: "Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?" Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Psalm 119: 33-40 (BCP., p.766)


Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.


Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)

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

Blog Reflection

Therefore, we intend to establish a school for the Lord's service.  In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.  The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love.  Do not be daunted immediately by fear and fun away from the road that leads to salvation.  It is bound to be narrow at the outset.  But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.  Never swerving from his instructions then,  but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.  Amen.  (Prologue 45-50. RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English, p. 18, 19).

This Sunday's readings are full of tough stuff for Episcopalians and Anglicans.  We are not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox.  We are also not Lutherans, Methodists or Presbyterians.  We are not Unitarian/Universalists.  Episcopalians/Anglicans are the via media between them all.   So, to give an adequate reflection on the subject of conflict is quite challenging.    It is often said that if there is one thing that all Episcopalians and Anglicans can agree on, is that we disagree about many things.   Our one common element that unites us is The Book of Common Prayer.

There is also another element that is a uniting factor.  We are Christians who share the mission contained in the words of our Baptismal Vows.  We are to be guided by the Gospel call to the love of God, neighbor and self in all seasons and situations.  It is hardly possible that we will get it exactly right in all situations and moments.   Today's Lectionary Readings provide some important points for us to consider, that will be very helpful.

In today's reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, Ezekiel has been appointed by God as the sentinel for God's people.   A sentinel is placed at the watch gate, so that he can give a warning to the community of the coming of evil.   While it appears that this message for Ezekiel is full of doom and gloom, the essential meaning is that God wants to bring salvation to God's people.   The sentinel being appointed by the Lord God, is to be God's messenger so that the people will know what their choices are.  The burden of what the people choose, is the responsibility of the sentinel.   If the people are not told by the sentinel, then he bears the responsibility for the choice they make.  If the sentinel gives the word of the Lord and they still do not listen, the consequence is on them.  God's sole wish is for God's people to follow God's desire and find salvation.

Christians are given the immense grace of God's unconditional love.   In whatever capacity of ministry we are in, we are the sentinels of that message.   If all that people hear is the Christianists version, which supports oppression and prejudice for a less diverse Church and society, then as Christians, we bear the responsibility of that message.   The actual message of the Gospel of Christ, is one of inclusive love, healing and reconciliation.   The Christian Gospel is about justice and equality for all people.   Our human made labels that define our gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, religion, financial status, political party, language, etc are not part of God's language.   God knows each of us as beloved daughters and sons of God, and with us, God is well-pleased.

The Readings from Romans and Matthew's Gospel, are there for us to meditate on how we as individuals and the Christian Community deal with conflict.   I used the quote from The Rule of St. Benedict to begin this reflection, because I wanted to convey that whether we are Monastics in the Monastery or not, we are all in the process of learning how to follow the Lord in our own lives.   Each spirituality within the Church from the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, the Ionians and so forth are all pointing us in their unique fashion to live the Gospel in our lives.   We each come to understand and live the Gospel from our particular background and social location in a way that is unique and blessed.   The issue in today's Gospel is not whether or not there is conflict, but, how we address conflict so that we all lead each other to an authentic and transparent living into our Christian vocation.  

The final meaning of this Gospel text, has nothing to do with a church bodies' authority to excommunicate or refuse service to someone.   It is about how we as people who proclaim belief in a God of inclusive love, live out what we say we are about.   Even when the going gets tough.  Even when we will disagree with each other.     If in our disagreements with each other we can do so in a way that leads all of us into a deeper and life-giving relationship with God and one another, with love and compassion as our goal; we will accomplish great things in the Name of the Lord.  On the contrary, if we deal with conflicts in a way that seeks to serve only our selfish desires, prejudices based on ignorance of one another; the life-giving message of the Gospel becomes another fairy tale that is a nice story, but it is hardly real.  A Christianity that has a lot of nice sounding adventures, but, did it really change people's lives, or was it just a passing history novel?

May we enter into a deeper relationship with God in our prayer and work this week, so that as we encounter conflicts that will at times shake us up, we will recognize the presence of Christ in one another.  Let us respond to God's presence in others with a reverence and respect that translates what we pray and believe into the reality of who we are, and how we love others.

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 233).

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for our Enemies, The 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, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).