Today's Scripture Readings
Ezekiel 2:1-5 (NRSV)
The Lord said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD." Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
Psalm 123 (BCP., p.780)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (NRSV)
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person-- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)
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
This past Friday, our Presiding Bishop-elect The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry delivered a stunning sermon at the closing Eucharist for the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. The text he preached from was Matthew 28:16-20 also known as The Great Commission. The context used from Matthew is not all that different from Today's Gospel text from Mark. You can listen to Bishop Curry's sermon here. Among the most powerful things he said, was that Jesus came to show us the way to God, and to each other in the work of reconciliation and healing. He said it much better than I just wrote it.
During the General Convention, we saw many individuals; Bishops, Clergy and Laity come together on so many issues. Liturgy, Canons, gun violence, race relations, alcohol and drug addiction, beginning the work towards a revision of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal 1982, and of course marriage equality. The House of Bishops and the House of Deputies did something incredible during the discussion and debate about many of these issues. They talked to each other, they listened to each other and when they voted there was a majority decision. They did all of this with respect with those who disagreed. When the matter of changing the Canons to allow Bishops and Clergy to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for same-gender couples, there was an effort to accommodate the Bishops who do not want the Liturgies for same-sex couples used in their Dioceses'. On the other hand, they still have to find a way to make sure the liturgies are available to those couples who would like to use them. The news from a Washington Post article suggested that it was a "compromise." Rev. Tobias Holler cleared up much of that with his blog post Comprehensive Not Compromise.
Some have characterized these resolutions as compromises. I prefer to see them as comprehensive. The resolution on liturgies authorizes trial use as provided for in the Constitution, with the mandate that bishops will see to it that all couples have access to the liturgies, while at the same time affirming that the bishop is responsible for directing and permitting these liturgies. This may be too subtle for some, but I believe it will allow the minority of bishops who are personally opposed to marriage equality sufficient conscientious cover, while at the same time requiring them to find ways to provide for couples in their dioceses who wish to make use of the liturgies. This will be a time for creativity and generosity.
How does this relate to our Gospel and the celebration of the 4th of July?
The Gospel narrative certainly suggests that long before the Church found themselves in controversy with traditionalists and more liberal people, Jesus did it first. He is reading and preaching in his home town. As those who are hearing Him question what Jesus said, it comes down to where He is from and who His parents are. Jesus was not able to do too much, because they did not believe in Him.
The second half of our Gospel is about Jesus sending forth those who are following Him to do what He has been doing. As Jesus sent them forward, so He sends all of us. In the sermon that Bishop Curry preached, he said that it doesn't matter who we are, how old we are, what our politics are, etc. If we are Baptized into Christ Jesus, we are part of the Jesus movement. The Jesus movement is sent to heal our friendship with God and each other. Christians are not only called to worship God in nice buildings with beautiful music. We are Baptized and sent forth in Christ's Name to make the world a better place for all people.
While all of the good news was coming out of the General Convention this week, we saw some real tragedies too. Several churches in which African Americans worship in were burned. While we have been celebrating the Supreme Court's decision on June 26th regarding Marriage Equality, the issue of racism continues its poisonous sting of violence with all the hate to energize it. It goes beyond taking the Confederate flags down, as important as that is. It is about the attitudes and behaviors that continues to make judgements based on skin color and/or immigration status. This social disease has been on the rise since President Obama was elected, and over these past years with the shooting of innocent African American men. The language in the news media is terrible. The attitudes in many of the blog writers is appalling.
Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in St. Louis, MO is collecting funds to assist the church communities that lost their church buildings to fire. I encourage my readers to consider assisting a donation to Christ Church Cathedral by clicking on their website Rebuilding the Churches Fund.
As we reflect on all that has happened over these past two weeks, may we all celebrate by giving thanks to God. God has indeed blessed us with so many wonderful things. Among those things we are blessed with, is the opportunities to go forth in the Name of Christ and to change the world so that the dignity of every human people is upheld and protected. May all of us discover the gifts God has given us and put them to use so that the Reign of God in Christ can be established and expanded. May we never give up, and never give in. May we spread the love of Jesus in our homes, churches and communities. May those in darkness find the light of God's inclusive and unconditional love, because we showed them what true Christianity can be like.
A blessed 4th of July to all of you.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments
by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your
Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole
heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 9: The Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and
all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our
liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Independence Day, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 242).
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).
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