Twenty Fourth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 27: Who Should Be Giving It All?

Today's Gospel Lesson


Mark 12:28-44 (NRSV)

Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Blog Reflection


Last Sunday, for All Saints Day, I had the privilege to be present for the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter & St. Paul (The National Cathedral) in Washington, D.C.  Among the many things The Most Rev. Michael Curry said during his excellent sermon he talked about the Jesus Movement.  A movement that continues the Gospel story of Jesus "turning the world upside down and right side up."  Jesus now turns that world upside down through Christians who devote themselves to the work of Jesus to end oppression, feed the hungry, set free those imprisoned by systems that are corrupted by power controlled by greed, discrimination and the privileged out numbering the underprivileged.

This Gospel narrative for today shows us another picture of that same oppression and the Jesus Movement at work.  In a system where women are dominated by men, injustice controls the outcome for those who live under oppression; we see those systems doing their dirty work in the life of the widow.   The widow put all she had into the Temple treasury.  Jesus recognizes her and the sacrifice she made.  But, as the Rev. Jered Weber-Johnson said during his sermon at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church this morning; was Jesus commending the woman, or was He issuing a warning about the system to which she donated?  

The Church in all it's wisdom to preach the Gospel and perform it's work of ministry; sometimes forgets who our ministry is for and about.  Is our ministry as Christians about letting the Holy Spirit guide us to tearing down the many walls that divide us; or are we about building up new ones as soon as the former ones crumble?  The Church now finds itself in an amazing crossroads.  To continue down the road of heterosexism, sexism, religious discrimination, while ignoring the weak, the sick and the stranger, or to really invest ourselves in the work of bringing the Reign of God.  Those who already have only so much to give, are giving it all.  While so many of us who have an abundance are giving only such a small amount.  We have food while many are hungry.  We have friends and family, while so many are lonely and isolated.  We have opportunities where so many have very few options.

As we contemplate this Gospel today and pray to God from this point of where we are; may all of us take time to listen to what God is saying within the depths of our hearts.  May we all be open to where God is calling, and how God is calling us to "turn the world upside down, which is right side up."  All of the Saints in the past and the present are showing us the way forward.  It is Jesus' way, the way that leads to peace and hope for all persons.   It is what our Baptismal Covenant is all about.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 27: The Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).

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).

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)

Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost: Be Creative Workers for God's Reign

Today's Scripture Readings

Zephaniah 7:1:7, 12-18 (NRSV)

Be silent before the Lord GOD!

For the day of the LORD is at hand;

the LORD has prepared a sacrifice,

he has consecrated his guests.

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,

and I will punish the people

who rest complacently on their dregs,

those who say in their hearts,

"The LORD will not do good,

nor will he do harm."

Their wealth shall be plundered,

and their houses laid waste.

Though they build houses,

they shall not inhabit them;

though they plant vineyards,

they shall not drink wine from them.

The great day of the LORD is near,

near and hastening fast;

the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter,

the warrior cries aloud there.

That day will be a day of wrath,

a day of distress and anguish,

a day of ruin and devastation,

a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and thick darkness,

a day of trumpet blast and battle cry

against the fortified cities

and against the lofty battlements.

I will bring such distress upon people

that they shall walk like the blind;

because they have sinned against the LORD,

their blood shall be poured out like dust,

and their flesh like dung.

Neither their silver nor their gold

will be able to save them

on the day of the LORD's wrath;

in the fire of his passion

the whole earth shall be consumed;

for a full, a terrible end

he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

Psalm 90 (BCP., p.717)


1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)

Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing .

Matthew 25:14-30 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, `Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, `Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, `Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, `Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, `You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "

Blog Reflection

The reading from Zephaniah is talking to me about entering into the presence of God to be thankful for all God has done for us.  It is Eucharistic to its core.  Yet, it also speaks to me of not settling down too much.  God is about to do something that will require us to be ready to let go of all our security; and accept what seems so contradictory to who we think God is.  

Sadly, this reading from Hebrew Scripture is full of that "God is about to bring calamity upon you," that was so commonly believed in the times their authors wrote these down.  Rather than see in them God bringing about destruction; I think it is more beneficial for us to meditate on God bringing about a new beginning.  God often brings change to our lives by asking us to let go of how we think things should be.  God does not want us to find our ultimate sense of immovability in a world that is passing away into something far more everlasting.  If we are to see the full glory of the Reign of God; we need to seek only union with God as the single necessity of life.  We seek that union with God through a deepening of our relationship with God and one another.

The Parable of the Talents that we read from Matthew's Gospel is about recognizing our role within our relationship with God and others. 

One of the traps that we can fall so easily into, is to become inattentive to the reason we fulfill our Baptismal Vows.  In particular, the vow to work to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.  If we see our work of justice, with justice as an end in and/of itself than our social justice work is nothing more than a dead end.  As with any work we begin to do, it will only lead to the finishing of a project if we do not consecrate ourselves and our work as gifts placed into our stewardship by the God who gives us all things. 

A few months ago, I created a prayer card that I keep on the desktop of my computer.  Every time I begin to read, or pray an Office, or make a phone call; I make every effort to be sure I pray the words on the prayer card.

On the subject of this Parable, Thomas Merton wrote about it in his book The Life of the Vows: Initiation Into the Monastic Tradition 6.

We must take an active and creative share in the life of the cosmos, not only in the sense that we obediently follow a set of hard and fast rules laid down for us, but also in the sense that we assume responsibility for a certain creative contribution of our own. (This is clear from the parable of the talents: the man with the one talent who hid it away in a napkin did not think he was doing God the Creator of the world an injustice, but he was.  For God expected him to use is own initiative and bring greater good out of the good he had received.)  God has created [humankind] man and placed him in the world as an administrator and builder and a creator, not only to keep what is there and take care of it, but also to develop what has been given to his charge.  This applies to our life as members of society, as workers, as citizens, etc.  Man will be held responsible for his misuse of creative opportunities in every field--politics, work, art, religion, etc.  It is very important to see all this implied by a true Christian concept of justice..... (p. 57,58).  

In thanksgiving and reverence to and for God; it is our entrusted responsibility to make use of what God gives us to expand the horizons of God's Reign while we have the time and opportunity.  Among those opportunities that we are blessed with is the chance to make a difference in the world.   We are called upon by God, through the gifts God gives us; to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring justice to the oppressed.  In our Baptismal Vows, we have promised in the presence of God and other Christians to invoke God's help that we will be able to make a good return on the investment that God has made in each one of us.  In the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has already conquered and ended all human suffering and enslavement to the sin of injustice and prejudice.  If we do not act on the belief of God's victory and bring about transparent and authentic change; then why should anyone else be evangelized to believe in it?   How can we ask people to believe in the wonderful things God has done for us; if we do not with the joy of the strength of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love put our talents so that others can walk by faith and not by sight along side us?  

Through the meaning of our Gospel Reading today, God has made an investment of God's Self in the Person of Jesus Christ in and through us.  Jesus Christ is God's Incarnate Word through Whom our human nature has been redeemed for God's mission of inclusive justice.  God entrusts us to put that investment to the good use of growing closer to God in a bonded relationship with reverence and respect of God's presence in all of our sisters and brothers.  Including, but not limited to the Muslims who gathered for prayer in the Washington National Cathedral this past Friday.  This includes the work to end racial injustice in Ferguson, Missouri.   We are admonished in this Gospel to call for an end to the violence that many LGBTQ people experience when they are beaten and/or tortured to death; just because of who they are and who they love; or what gender expression/identity they are. 

We are empowered by our Baptismal Vows and the words of Jesus, to multiply God's investment by our cooperation as creative workers for the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

I think it is time to get to work.  Don't you?

Amen.


Prayers

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 28. The Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

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).

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).

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: The Time for Waiting and Watching is Now

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom 6:12-16 (NRSV)

Wisdom is radiant and unfading,

and  she is easily discerned by those who love her,

and is found by those who seek her.

She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.

One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,

for she will be found sitting at the gate.

To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,

And one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,

because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,

and she graciously appears to them in their paths,

and meets them in every thought.

Psalm 70 (BCP., p.682)


1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NRSV)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, `Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, `No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, `Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Blog Reflection

It is hard to believe where we are in our Liturgical calendar.  In just three weeks we will embark on a new Liturgical Cycle.  This Year A in which we have been reading from the Gospel of Matthew is winding down.   As is the Tradition of the Church we come to that time of the Year when we focus on the return of Christ at the end of the age.  All of the Lectionary Readings beginning mid September and up to this point have been slowly moving us to where we are now.   Now we pick up the pace as we prepare to celebrate Christ the King, Thanksgiving Day and the First Sunday of Advent.

It is prophetic that this Sundays Lectionary begins with Wisdom.  I find it humbling that we are introduced to what the Lord wants us to hear begins with the feminine nature of the Divine.  It has yet to be completely clarified if God even has a gender.  The Tradition of the Church has unquestionably been leaning toward the worst kind of male chauvinism.  Is it any wonder that one of the products of the Protestant Reformation was to promote the King James Version of the Bible that omitted the Apocrypha with its references to the Wisdom of God understood as a feminine quality?   Now as the Church begins a movement towards a greater acceptance of transgender individuals, our greatest hurdle is learning to let go of how we perceive a particular gender and what stereotypes we ascribe to them.

The writer of Wisdom tells us to be prepared for Wisdom to give us a firmer grounding in life than trying to do with out Her.  She moves in the hearts of those who have answered the desire of God for us to draw closer to God.  Once our hearts and souls are awoken to the stir of the Wisdom of God within us, and we give ourselves over to all She wants to do; we will discover a new quality in our relationship with God and others.  Wisdom seeks out those who seek a deeper union with God.  A union with God that is transparent because of a growing heart of compassion for those among us who remain second class citizens.   That heart should expand with the Law of our God of mercy being written by the grace of the Holy Spirit.  This kind of Wisdom is a breeding ground for the contemplative vision of God, by seeing all things and people from God's perspective.

I recently asked a Priest. "Where does the whole idea of watching and waiting in the Season of Advent come from?"   His answer concerned me not so much with what he did say; but what he did not.  In terms of the Liturgy of the Church; the watching and waiting that we are invited to through this reading from Matthew that will lead us into Advent; comes from the Benedictine Daily Office of Vigils.  Or, as we like to say in the Episcopal/Anglican Tradition, Matins.  Matins derives its meaning from the Latin word, "Matutinum" or "Matutinae" meaning "belonging to the morning."   It retains parts of the Night Office of Vigils.  In addition, Matins includes parts of Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Prime (meaning "First Hour").   The "watch" is referred to for example in Psalm 3:5 "I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me."  In Psalm 16:8 we read, "I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night."  Another example is Psalm 22:2, "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest."  Lastly, Psalm 63:6, "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches."   St. Benedict retained the Office of Vigils from the writings of St. John Cassian and the Desert Mothers and Fathers.  

The readings from the New Testament and the Gospel are about watching and waiting for the return of Christ.   A wise Christian will keep watch with their lamps lit because we do not know at what hour Christ will return. 

There are a fair number of touching stories that point us to what this Gospel means.  I cannot recall the name of it (or them), but in one of them a man was expecting Jesus for Christmas dinner.   As he was preparing the feast, there were several knocks at the door.  He turned each of them away (I think), saying that he was waiting for Jesus to come to dinner.   When Jesus finally arrived, the meal was not quite finished.  As the guy was finishing, he was apologizing to Jesus; who told him that He already showed up in those who previously knocked and were turned away.  Therefore what made Jesus think the man would be ready to receive Him now if he wasn't then?

As Christians we always tend to have our lamps lit with plenty of oil to fuel them; so long as we gather in our churches to draft rules or canons about who we keep out of the Church.  We keep our lights on for Bible studies that only go so far as to move us beyond our self-absorption that won't let us welcome people of other faiths, sexual orientations, political parties or doctrinal diversity.   We meet together to discuss being "pastoral" while gossiping about who is not fit for the pastoral ministry of the Church.  There is something about her/his behavior that makes us uncomfortable and nervous as to how we will be perceived.   This is often the case for individuals with mental illness issues and/or autistic conditions.  Others who might experience this would be "illegal" immigrants or those who are homeless. The lights of opportunity are lit for those who give us large cash donations, but they are set very dim when Christ comes in the poor, lonely and disenfranchised to offer only themselves.  

Today, Jesus Christ challenges all of us to remember our Baptismal Vows in our watching and waiting.  All of us are invited to the wedding banquet that is the Holy Eucharist and in service to Christ and the Church.  Each of us have gifts to offer, to be received with respect and reverence for the Presence of Christ in each other.  Christians are encouraged in this Gospel to make room in our churches; as well as in society for the inclusive Reign of God.  Our prejudices along with our silent voices in the face of injustice, violence, poverty, sickness and oppression suggest our foolishness in thinking that there is time enough to buy more oil; because Jesus certainly won't come while we are away.  

The time for watching, waiting, praying and responding to Christ is now.   May we search for union with God in a bonded relationship; that is self evident in our devotion to strive for peace and justice among all people, and to uphold the dignity of every human being.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).

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).

Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Building a New World on the Resurrection

Today's Scripture Readings

Haggai 1:15b-2:9 (NRSV)

In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 145 (BCP., p.801)


2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 (NRSV)

As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Luke 20:27-38 (NRSV)

Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her."

Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

Blog Reflection

The Liturgical Year C will be coming to a close in a couple weeks.  In just two weeks we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday followed by the beginning of the new Liturgical Year A with the First Sunday of Advent.  As is the tradition of the Church, the Scripture readings this time of the year concentrate our attention on the End times.  The readings become darker and pointing towards the Ending of the old order of things, and a new one beginning.  

The People of Israel were no strangers to old things slipping away and new things starting.  They were once slaves in Egypt. Through the mighty arm of the Lord and Moses they were brought out of Egypt and their descendents were led into the promised land.  The People of Israel were a tribal community.   They saw many battles over ownership of their land, the worship of God and other gods, the raising up of the Temple of Solomon, and it's eventual destruction before the Babylonian exile.   Haggai is part of a conversation between God and Israel to build a new Temple now that they have returned to their land.  As one would imagine, the people wanted to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple which was the center of the City with all the splendor of God contained therein.  Yahweh is promising that just as God was with them when the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, so God will be with them now as they undertake the rebuilding of the Temple.  This time, however, God promises to build an even greater Temple by shaking up the old order of things, and building something far more wonderful with all it's splendor.  God wishes to bring forth all the silver and gold to show that God's House is a place where everyone is beautiful, and worships God in holiness and reverence.

The story from Haggai sounds a lot like the martyrdom of St. Laurence the Deacon.  He was killed during the Valerian persecutions of the Christians.  At the time of his execution, he had gathered all the silver and gold owned by the Church at the time, sold it ,and gave the proceeds to the poor.  When his executioners asked him for all the treasures of the Church, Laurence pointed to the poor women, men and children with him and said: "these are the treasures of the Church."  Following these words, Laurence was put on an iron grid.  While laying there he cried out: "Turn me over guys, I am all done on one side."

What kind of temple are we building in the Church and society today? 

Our world seems to be so entrapped by wealth, power and a drive to leave the marginalized to fend for themselves.  This passed Thursday, November 7th the US Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  The bill provides Federal equal rights protections for LGBT people in employment, financial assistance, public assistance and housing. There is no guarantee that the bill will even get a floor vote in the US House, because Christianist groups that are working against LGBT equal rights protections protections are making an issue of "religious liberty" as a justification for continuing discrimination for LGBT people.  

Bishop Gene Robinson wrote an outstanding article in The Huffington Post this past week.  I found the following paragraphs to be of particular interest.

Although the membership of every major Christian denomination shows a majority of support for this legislation, opposition to this bill is coming in large part from many of the leaders of these same religious denominations, demanding ever-broader exemption from the provisions of this law. One amendment which would have added these exemptions to ENDA was defeated in the Senate, but will undoubtedly reappear in the House debate. They would create a hole in the protections big enough to drive a PopeMobile through. It would allow an exception for non-profits and for-profits alike from having to implement the legislated protections, providing they could show at least a thin connection to some religious entity which takes a dim view of LGBT people.

For instance, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is vigorously opposing ENDA, asserting that their right to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential to Catholics' religious liberty. Now stop, and just take that in for a moment. A Church, dedicated to following the man known for his outreach and compassion for the marginalized, petitioning the government to be exempted from the fair treatment of marginalized and vulnerable LGBT people. It takes my breath away.

Can you imagine what Jesus might have said to St. Peter if the disciple had requested an exemption from Jesus' command to "love your enemies?!" What if disciples James and John had argued with Jesus about whether or not "love your neighbor as yourself" actually should apply to them in all cases? What would Jesus have said to the good, religious people of his time when they asked for an exemption to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you," based of course upon their deeply-held, religious beliefs?

Speaking of the words and actions of Jesus, what an amazing spectacle we have in today's Gospel narrative.  Jesus is being confronted by a group of religious authorities who do not believe in a resurrection.  Yet, here they are, asking him a question about their Jewish Law with regards to marriage based on the resurrection.  It never ceases to amaze me how individuals will use material from something they do not even believe in to make a point about something so meaningless.  But, here we have just such an example.

As Psalm 145 is such a perfect compliment to the reading from Haggai, because it talks of God's compassion on all God's works, so Paul's letter to the Thessalonians supports what is taking place in the Gospel.  

Jesus here wants to send a clear message.  The message has a lot less to do with marriage, but more to do with the individuals the Sadducees question is designed to affect.  Marriage in the time of Jesus was from the Mosaic Law which saw marriage as a contract with a dowry and an exchange of property, including the woman.  Jesus' concern here is not only about raising the dignity of the women to their natural God given place, He also wants to declare that they are included in the new Reign of God that is about the new life that Jesus will bring by His triumphant Resurrection.  The promise that Jesus gives is not just for a new life in a world to come, but to establish a new order, a new way of life into our lives in the here and now.  In the Common English Bible, verse 38 in Luke 20 reads: "He isn't the God of the dead but of the living.  To him they are all alive."  Jesus brings hope for new life in this world, leading into the next, by bringing the power of the Holy Spirit through His Death and Resurrection.  The result of the saving work of Jesus does not establish a new Church by which all others supercede into only one; but one in Himself, by which all people who are considered worthless, stigmatized by religious and civil authorities, are now among God's beloved in God's Reign in Christ. 

If we want to see a new world built that reflects the Resurrection then it becomes necessary to talk about and address the concerns of climate change.  We are all sharers in this world.  The more we destroy and abuse the resources in this world that alters the climate and kills off other wildlife and destroys lands, the closer we bring God's world to dying of human made causes.  God doesn't fix what's wrong, per say, so long as we don't take seriously our responsibility for doing our part in the fixing.

A new world where the Resurrection becomes visible means that we show respect for women, by improving the laws that protect them from the violence of rape, sexual assault, incest and being used by men as property to be exploited and discarded.  We would provide in our laws not only the protection of women in terms of reproductive health care, but supply job training, education, health care and a social safety net that supports the poor women, especially those who face discrimination because of race, immigration status, religion and so forth.

We celebrate a new world coming into being under God's Reign, with the Resurrection showing all it's glory when we no longer accept the bullying of LGBT and questioning youth in our schools, as well as LGBTQ people in the work place, housing, financial assistance and more.  We would celebrate and defend the freedom to marry, recognizing that through marriage equality God is recreating society through the Holy Spirit as She "renews the face of the earth" (see Psalm 104:31).

The new world built on the Resurrection is one of radical hospitality, with reconciliation and healing as part of the process.  It becomes the work of everyone coming together, celebrating our diversity and joining the great fellowship of Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist.  It is through the Eucharist that the Body of Christ which is so very fragmented, has the opportunity to become one, as the Real Presence of God is received and shared by all of God's beloved. 

May we this day, commit ourselves to the work of building the new world on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, where there is hope and possibility for an inclusive Reign of God.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27, Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a
wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion:
Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and
Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit
of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Prayer for the Holy Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer, p. 252).


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).

First Sunday of Advent 2012: The Season of Already, But Not Yet

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." 

Psalm 25 (BCP., p. 614).
 
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV)

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21: 25-36 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Blog Reflection

Every person in every place experiences a change of the seasons.  In Fr. Albert Holtz, OSB's book: From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk through Advent, he writes that the Greek word for season is kairos.  We are now in the kairos the Season of Advent.   The kairos of the Reign of God that is already here, but not yet.  The word kairos can also be understood as an "opportunity."  Holtz makes the point that every moment of every day is it's own kairos.   An opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with God and others around us.  

Advent is a fantastic kairos to examine our priorities.  Are we so set on getting that perfect gift for or from someone that we forget that Christmas is about the birth of Christ who came to redeem the world?   Are we so busy planning holiday parties and attending a play of The Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker Suite for a little culture, but take no time to change the culture of injustice, oppression and prejudice in ourselves and communities?   Are we patting ourselves on the back for helping to serve Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen, but we do not do anything about addressing the widespread poverty that is right outside our doors?

The reign of God is already here.  We celebrate the memory that Christ already came into this world as a baby, and through his life, death and resurrection opened a new way to salvation in God.  Jesus brought that change of God interacting with people who were marginalized by political, religious and social structures designed to keep the powerful and the helpless worlds apart.   God drew closer to those stigmatized and gave them the power to be lifted up and fed with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8), while "casting down the mighty from their thrones" (Luke 1: 52).   Those who filled their lives with self righteousness through external practices of piety without observing justice, mercy and good faith, found themselves as "the rich sent away empty" (Luke 1:53).  

However, the reign of God is not yet here.   We still live in a world where the wealthy are exploiting the poor, lonely, the aged and the sick.  We are horrible stewards of God's creation as we continue to pollute the air, water and destroy the forests and wet lands, while plummeting cultures that neither want or need us there.  Women, LGBT, Native Americans, Jewish people, Muslims and many others are still second class citizens.  In Uganda, LGBT people face the possibility of a bill being passed that will put them in prison, just because of who they are, and false information about them spreading because of the false witness of American evangelical missionaries. 

In our celebrations of Advent, we have that kairos to pray and discern how we can help advance the arrival of the reign of God in our lives and communities.  The season of understanding how much God really loves us, and calls upon us to love God present in others, is now upon us.  It is a story that is connected to our history and continues to be reborn through the faith, compassion and witness of people who see places where the reign of God has yet to take root and become a garden of many beautiful colors. 

One of those places where God's reign needs more room to be reborn, is within each of us.  We can all take just a few extra minutes a day to give thanks to God for all that we are so fortunate to have.   We can also begin to take a look at our own attitudes and what might be one thing that we can address this Advent.  We can also take notice around us of who is hurting and in need of our concern and/or assistance.  There is always a place and a kairos for us to bring God's reign closer to ourselves and to others. 

May we take time this Advent to look for that kairos and discern how to bring God's reign that is already here, but not yet, just a little bit closer to change the world for the better.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen. (Collect for First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 211).


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).


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).

Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost:We Must Use Our Time Wisely

Today's Scripture Readings

Daniel 12: 1-3 (NRSV)

The Lord spoke to Daniel in a vision and said, "At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Psalm 16 (BCP., p.599-600)


Hebrews 10: 11-25 (NRSV)

Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

"This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,"

he also adds,

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Mark 13: 1-8 (NRSV)

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" Then Jesus asked him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, `I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs."

Blog Reflection

The reading from Daniel records what was taking place during the period when the Hellenization by the Jews in Palestine.  They were enduring oppression of not only their land and culture, but also the practice of their religion.   The Seleucid kings dominated the Jews by not allowing them to worship in their temples or synagogues as the Lord, their God had commanded them.  It was believed that the Archangel Michael would come to their rescue them by striking down those who were oppressing them, so that they would regain what they had lost.  The victory to be gained was not only a restoration of justice for all who lived, but the promise of new life for those who already died. 

There are a couple things we must be very careful of when applying this to the society and Church of our time.

1. We should not look upon the Jews as deserving of the treatment they got.  No religion or group of people brings upon themselves the destruction of their land or religion because God punishes them.   Therefore, it is inappropriate to take an attitude of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or look down upon Atheists or Pagans. 

2. We should also not use this as a means to uphold our own self-righteousness to promote only our religious or social point of view. 

What we can take from this that is very applicable to us, is an opportunity of faith.   Evil, oppression, violence, abuse etc, is something that God cares very much about.  Though it may appear to us that God is not concerned with what is going on in the world, God is very much interacting withe progression of human history.  God is "not standing afar off and hidden your face from us" as we pray in Psalm 10.  When things are happening in our own communities, churches, families and around the world that we become aware of, that awareness is God speaking to our hearts.  God is calling on us to be in prayer for those experiencing injustice, poverty and sickness, and moving on our hearts to take an interest in the welfare of others.  The message of the Gospel is for us, yes.  But, it's impact does not, nor should it stop with us.  The work of living and sharing our faith through interceding and working on behalf of others, is how God works to end inequality and exploitation. 

As for us Christians, the hope of redemption was accomplished because of Jesus Christ.  Through our common Baptism, we have shared in the death and resurrection of Christ (see Romans 6).   The Paschal Mystery happened so that Christians could look to Jesus as our Savior, who destroyed our slavery to sin.   We no longer have to accept religious based discrimination, when Christians use the Bible to promote and act on bias.  Christ changed our world by being God's perfect revelation and showing us how to reach out and become an inclusive community for God.  God's saving work through Christ our Redeemer, found a way to include us in the Body of Christ.  We should be accepting others so that God can also incorporate them among God's beloved people. 

The Gospel reading is one that gets so abused by preachers trying to scare people to prepare for the second coming of Christ.  Yet, two weeks from today it will already be Advent, the season to prepare for the coming of the Reign of Christ, as we move towards celebrating Christmas.  What is the significance of this Gospel on the second coming?

On one hand, this reading is not about the second coming.  Jesus is predicting the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE by the Roman General Silva.   It is believed that the writer of Mark would have been in Syria between 60-70 CE and would have recorded events as they were told to the author.  The destruction of Jerusalem would have appeared like a second coming to the early Christians, and to the Jews of that time it would have been very apocalyptic.  It is quite possible that these are not the words of Jesus as they were said, but, recorded as such for their dramatic emphasis as to what Christians need to be doing.

On the other hand, this Gospel should certainly help us to think about what our priorities are as disciples of Christ.  If our priorities are waiting around for every war or rumor of war to start so we can scare the whole world into thinking Christ is coming, to convert everyone, we are wasted precious time and missing valuable opportunities. 

I remember back in 1991 when the first Gulf War began.  I was a student at Eastern Nazarene College studying Church Music and organ.  The days and weeks following the initial attack of the United States on Bagdad, Iraq, I found myself staring at more books in the student book shop about Iraq being the location of former Babylon and the possibility that it was the last war on earth before Christ returned.   In those books there were countless claims that everything from abortion, to homosexuality and the secularization of our culture was why the war was started.   I also heard some claim that the war was the punishment of God upon a country where Islam was the religion of that nation.  

The days and weeks after September 11, 2001 we heard of a few preachers say that the attacks happened because of the wide acceptance of women as ordained clergy in certain denominations, abortions and homosexuality.   Because there was a take over of the secularization of our culture from what was a "Christian nation" God punished America with the terrorist attacks that killed over 3,000 Americans.

Both of these are examples of what I call, Christians wasting their time on nonsense and useless fear tactics, while the real work of the Gospel remains unfinished.

What Jesus is calling those who follow him to do, is to use the time we have to establish God's Reign.   We are to work to end injustice, oppression, violence and care for those less fortunate than ourselves, because God is present in all human beings.  Especially those who suffer and are in need of a better today.   An improved life today, so that they may have some kind of future where their human dignity is recognized and defended.   To end the exploitation of people for the benefit of the powerful and wealthy.   A place where working for  peace with and for everyone is more important than making peace with oppression.  Where we address issues like the bullying of LGBT youth and single mothers. 

Today, while we have so much going on around us that suggests discrimination and attitudes of self-righteousness, Jesus calls us in humility to recognize who God is, and who we are not.  We are not God, but we are redeemed by God in Christ.  In thanksgiving and good stewardship, we have the privilege and responsibility to use what God has given us to benefit not only ourselves, but others who remain vulnerable and helpless on their own.  

May our week of Thanksgiving bring us closer to recognizing Christ in one another, and doing all we can to honor Christ in those who are in need of love, compassion and our generosity.

Amen.


Prayers

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).

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).

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

 

 

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

Today's Scripture Reading

Mark 6:1-13

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

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

Blog Reflection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Prayers

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 9, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p, 815).