Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 16: You Have The Words of Everlasting Life

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 22-30, 41-43 (NRSV)

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, `There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.' Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, `My name shall be there,' that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name -- for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm-- when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.”

Psalm 84 (BCP, p.707)


Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV)

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

John 6:56-69 (NRSV)

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Blog Reflection

There are few relationships in the Gospel texts that are as fascinating as Jesus and Peter; no?   This particular reading from St. John's Gospel which concludes the discourse in which Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life; shows Peter the be the most faithful and trusting.  It is an odd, but wonderful display of the journey Peter has been on.  

Let us take a closer look at a few examples of the journey of Peter with Jesus in the Gospels.

We know from the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that Peter was among the first disciples called. (See Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11).  We also read about the calling of the first disciples in John 1:35-42.   Peter is the one who has trouble with his faith during the storm in Matthew 14:22-33.  Yet, it is Peter's mother Jesus heals back in Matthew 8:14-17.  It is Peter's faith through which he says that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God in Matthew 16:13-20, and not long after that in verse 22, Jesus rebukes the devil in Peter.  We can point to Peter's ups and downs in today's Gospel texts, and of course Peter's denial of Jesus in the Passion Gospels.  We also see Jesus's reinstatement of Peter in John 21:15-19.  Lastly, Peter is the Apostle in the Church after Pentecost, leading the other Apostles to evangelize and eventually send Saul; now called Paul to preach to the gentiles.  We also know that Peter was crucified upside down, claiming that he was not worthy to die right side up as Jesus had done.

Peter represents the reality in all of us.  We each have our moments of being called, being weak in faith, needing to be rebuked and corrected, having moments of very strong faith; even denying Jesus and needing Jesus' redeeming love to be restored in our relationship with God.  We each have our moments of courage and cowardice. 

In this passage from today's Gospel, Peter shines like a new penny in the midst of a trying time for Jesus.  Jesus has been teaching that He is the Bread of Life.  Those who would receive Jesus as the Living Bread that came from heaven, would have every lasting life.  Many of those who were following Him up to this point just could not take this teaching they were hearing from Jesus.  So, they turned and walked away.  When Jesus gives the rest the option to leave or stay, it is Peter who said those wonderful and famous words.  "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of everlasting life."

As I meditate on this Gospel text, I am lead to invite us to ask ourselves some important questions.

Who among us believes that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

Who among us is not so sure that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

How is Jesus the Bread of Life for us?

Who among us sees that people have a hard time believing in this Bread of Life that Jesus proclaims Himself to be?

Who among us is ready to help Jesus as Peter did, and proclaim him as our Bread of Life, and that He has the words of everlasting life?

What are the words of everlasting life that we hear in our everyday lives?

Jesus is having some hard times among us these days.  Jesus so wants to give of Himself again as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation; not only through His Church, but from those who claim to believe in Him as the Bread of Life, and claim to follow Him. 

Jesus wants to work in and through the gifts and lives of Christians to relieve the lot of the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and those who are marginalized, surrounded by injustice and oppression.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life that stops the violence used towards Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other religious faiths often used by well meaning Christians, who just are not getting it.  The Christian Faith does not mean that all the others are to be reduced into Christianity to be viable faith communities.

Jesus is not the Bread of Life to be refused to or proselytized to those who believe differently than we do. 

Jesus is not the Cup of Salvation to be denied to LGBT people who are getting married, adopting children and seeking equality in the work place, financial institutions and public assistance.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, to share His words of everlasting life, through real freedom and equality, without "protection of religious liberty" legislation being passed because of the paranoia of ultra-conservative Christians to continue their crusade against the rights of women to protect their reproductive health care, and marriage equality for LGBT people, and other religious traditions.   

Jesus seeks those who seek union with Him as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, as having the words of everlasting life, through the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation. 

Jesus Christ can be and is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation through independent thinking and a diversity of theology, philosophy and understanding of the Bible and Creeds.

Jesus is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with the words of everlasting life; who is with us in our moments of illness, loneliness, addiction, loss, and difficulty. 

The summer is winding down.  Soon children will be going back to school.  College and Universities are already beginning orientation programs.  Sports teams are practicing to make that Superbowl touchdown, and win the Stanley Cup.  The violence and prejudice in the world is not going to slow down or stop, without Christians who know that Jesus has the words of everlasting life, living as faithful members of the Body of Christ. 

Let us all take our place in our work places, families, communities, activities and wherever we are, and do our part to help Jesus in these trying times.  May we live as believers in Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with His words of everlasting life to guide us and encourage others to stay around and pay attention.

Amen.


Prayers

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered
together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your
power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 232, 233).

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

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 818).

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Love the Cross. The Cross is Love.

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 15:15-21 (NRSV)

O LORD, you know;

remember me and visit me,

and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors.

In your forbearance do not take me away;

know that on your account I suffer insult.

Your words were found, and I ate them,

and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart;

for I am called by your name,

O LORD, God of hosts.

I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,

nor did I rejoice;

under the weight of your hand I sat alone,

for you had filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain unceasing,

my wound incurable,

refusing to be healed?

Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook,

like waters that fail.

Therefore thus says the LORD:

If you turn back, I will take you back,

and you shall stand before me.

If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,

you shall serve as my mouth.

It is they who will turn to you,

not you who will turn to them.

And I will make you to this people

a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you,

but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you

to save you and deliver you,

says the LORD.

I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,

and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

Psalm 26 (BCP., p.616).


Romans 12: 9-21 (NRSV)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 16: 2-28 (NRSV)

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Blog Reflection

At times, you have to wonder if Christians give any thought to what we look like to those who observe us.  We say our prayers, recite our creeds and receive the Sacraments.  We boast of the word of God.   We say we believe in the love of God, neighbor and self.  Yet, what so many see, are Christians clinging to a faith without evidence of reality.   The more Christians are viewed as supporting injustice and oppression, including violence and prejudice the less real our Christian Faith appears to those looking from the outside in.

Just this past week, there was a horrible story about two Christian parents who beat up their gay son, after they disowned him.   Just the notion that a Christian would justify an act of heinous violence is frightening to say the least.  Not only does the Name of Jesus Christ become profaned by things like this, but the hope that Jesus could make a real difference in the life of that young man might very well be crushed.  In the son's case, any effort to embrace God with the reality of who he is, will seem like that God is just against him.  What he may never know, is that God's love for him does not stop because he is gay. 

As I read from the Prophet Jeremiah, I think he must have felt like that.  Jeremiah was speaking the truth about God to God's people.  They had indulged in acts of injustice.  They had forgotten all the wonderful things God did through out their history.  He was doing the work God gave him. Yet, all he found was resistance, threats against his life, and those who ignored him.  God in this reading does not promise to take him away from all that is happening to him, God promises to be with Jeremiah and that in the end, God's will will prevail for Jeremiah and for God's people.   God gives Jeremiah hope to face his sufferings and his salvation.

When Jesus tells Peter and the other disciples about His coming death, Peter did what I believe we all would have done.  If a man knows he is about to be killed, the proper thing to do is to try to save his life.  How could Peter and the others, get to know this amazing man, see his miracles, hear his words and just let him die?   That would be the case, except Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self.   Jesus came to redeem us from our personal and spiritual immaturity, and return us to our Divine relationship with God.   Our redemption in Christ not only returns us to friendship with God, but also restores the relationship of humankind with the human community.   To experience the contemplative vision into ourselves, with a renewed view of the world around us.

"The function of prayer is to change my own mind, to put on the mind of Christ, to enable grace to break into me. When prayer is privatized religion on a spree, it's not prayer. Contemplative prayer, converting prayer, is prayer that sees the whole world through incense--a holy place, a place where the sacred dwells, a place to be made different by those who pray, a place where God sweetens living with the beauty of life. Contemplative prayer is prayer that leads us to see the world through the eyes of God." (Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, Wisdom Distilled From the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. p.35).

Jesus accomplishes all that He sets out to do, through the Cross.  Our hope of knowing Christ in our own lives and sharing Him with others, is when we accept our crosses and follow Him in obedience to the will of God out of love.   Our cross as Christians, comes because we see past human labels, the suggestion that some people are first class citizens, and others are secondary and we embrace Jesus Christ and Him crucified as we embrace others because of Christ's love for us.   The love of God comes through laying down our lives for others.  In our relationships, in our communities, in those places where life is anything but certain.  Jesus Christ and His Cross lovingly saves us from our own sense of certainty.   We are saved to live with open hearts, minds and arms to love others as Christ has loved  us.

If you are like me, you can read these words and even repeat them.  But, to live them means we have to face our own prejudices, and displace our comfort zones.   To do what this Gospel reading is about, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us away from complacency, so we can be open to conversion.   A conversion that wants to see an end to the racism that has lead to the excessive violence in Ferguson, and calls out the injustice for what it is.   A change of heart and life, that rejects heterosexism that breeds a hate so violent that the beating described above, ex-gay groups and so forth is condoned, and Christianity continues getting a very bad name.

As we journey from the summer into Labor Day weekend, may be all pray and work together so that we may fulfill the vows of our Baptismal Covenant, and bring the honor and glory due the Name of Jesus Christ.   May our efforts be blessed by the Holy Spirit, and what we accomplish give evidence of God's transforming grace.

Amen.



Prayers

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good
things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in
us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth
in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 17. The Book of Common Prayer, p.233).

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another
that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide
us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but
for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for
our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of
other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out
of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Collect for Labor Day, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 261).

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, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).

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).