Pentecost 13: Labor Day

 

Happy Labor Day weekend. Celebrating the work of labor unions and “blue-collar” workers who keep everything running!

I’m taking the month of September off due to some travel. See you in October. 

If you are looking for a fall study, check out my most recent work: Sacred Story: Yours, Mine, Ours. Available on Amazon for $15, you can use this resource in a group to start conversations, or as an individual to deepen your understanding of God's call on your life. Thought provoking questions are included in each chapter.

"Women of the Bible, imperfect and yet loved by God, inspire us to embrace one another across what may seem to be deep divisions. Hearing the Sacred Story of Biblical women encourages our faith work. When we identify God’s love in the lives of ancient women, we are freed to share where our Sacred Stories of brokenness and of healing are also held in God’s love. Sharing seemingly dissimilar Sacred Stories helps us find common, holy ground in the ongoing saga of God’s dream of Beloved Community. Accepting our Sacred Story allow us to be vulnerable and open to hearing and sharing in other’s journeys and their yearnings for God’s redemption, hope, and love."

Pentecost 12: Psalm 67: Inclusion

 Our readings this week focus our thoughts on all who are included in the Kingdom of God. It is not just the ‘in crowd’—those who believe “correctly” or say the “right” words. God’s Kingdom and love are more expansive and inclusive than that!

Isaiah (56:1, 6-8) starts off by saying the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord…I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. This promise is the motto of the Washington National Cathedral—a house of prayer for all peoples.

In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he claims to be an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Then he goes on to insist that by the mercy shown to you [Gentiles], they [Hebrews] too may now receive mercy. Apparently, there were some even at this early stage in the church who claimed that God had rejected the Jewish nation and that salvation was only for the Gentiles. Of course, there was also the opposite faction that insisted that only circumcised Jews could be Followers of Jesus. It is a sad commentary on our need to make divisions rather than include others in our faith. God is not so picky.

On first reading, the Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) telling of Jesus with the Canaanite woman could be used as an argument for keeping non-Jews out of the church. He engages in a conversation with her, initially insisting I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Bravely, she refuses to take no for an answer, responding, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. This argument convinces Jesus, and her daughter was healed instantly.Jesus himself realizes that God is not limited by borders or man-made labels. All are welcome. (For an interesting meditation on this passage, read Debra Asis’ blog this week.) 

Psalm 67 is an invitation to let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. As the Living Bible translation notes, peoples from remotest lands will worship him. In his book Ladder to the Light, Bishop Steven Charleston says we need to remember our kinship with all creation. He notes that “kinship means not conformity, but relationship—deep spiritual relationship.” He says, “the ancient wisdom of hospitality becomes a powerful symbol. It tells us to remember our common condition. It calls for us to act in ways that defy the fear of difference.” That connection and hospitality toward all creation is invitation to worship and praise to God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer of all.

It is too easy and comforting to put up barriers. Rules about who is ‘in’ or ‘out’ give us a false sense of security. God, again and again, refutes this viewpoint. As Bishop Charleston reminds us, “a liberated community of kinship, a creation renewed by the power of the Spirit” can, in the words of the Psalm prepare the path for [God]. All are welcome at the table.

It is not always easy to open our hearts to those people and ideas who may make us feel uncomfortable. (As Debra Asis points out, often that is rooted in fear.) But that kinship with the stranger is just what God invites us to do… I think this image captures my feelings and perhaps yours too. It’s nice to say, ‘you are welcome here,’ but can be uncomfortable to interact with some people. The disciples may have felt that way about the Canaanite woman. We can infer from the early letters to the churches that there was confusion and even conflict between the Jewish and Gentile believers. Maybe we can hear the invitation of Spirit and begin to model a new way of inclusive welcome that is more like God’s dream of the Kingdom. 

Who do you list on your ‘in’ list? Who is not welcome at your table?

Is God asking you to rethink your boundaries?

Psalm 67 1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. 2 Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 6 The earth has brought forth her increase; may God, our own God, give us his blessing. 7 May God give us his blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him. (Book of Common Prayer)

O God, in mercy bless us; let your face beam with joy as you look down at us. Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. How everyone throughout the earth will praise the Lord! How glad the nations will be, singing for joy because you are their King and will give true justice to their people! Praise God, O world! May all the peoples of the earth give thanks to you. For the earth has yielded abundant harvests. God, even our own God, will bless us. And peoples from remotest lands will worship him. (Living Bible)

Pentecost 11: Psalm 85: Meeting

 Midway through August, we are in the Eleventh week of the Season of Pentecost. The Psalms and readings this summer have helped us look at our call, God’s care and blessing, and how we listen to God. Last week we considered the Feast of the Transfiguration. 

Today, we hear of Elijah fleeing from Jezebel and the disciples in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Psalm 85 tells us God is speaking peace to his faithful people. In fact, we find that true in all the readings.

God meets us where we are. Even when we think we are running away from God, like Elijah (1 Kings 19:9-18), God lovingly seeks us out. Elijah has fled for his life to a cave, then the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah responds with a string of complaints, to which God responds with fire, wind, and earthquake and then a still, small voice. Elijah recognizes God’s voice and is told, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus… This is probably the last thing Elijah wants to hear, but he obeys. God meets Elijah in his despair and fear, with encouragement.

In the Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33), we meet the disciples. They are frightened by a storm, and then by the appearance of Jesus walking on the water toward them. Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water”…Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him…

It is Peter, impetuous Peter, who wants Jesus to prove himself. Also, like many of us, he wants to prove to Jesus that he is courageous and obedient and faith-filled. Jesus invites him out of the boat, and saves him when fear gets the better of his valor. Jesus meets Peter where he is—brave and impetuous, and frightened. Jesus keeps him from drowning. Jesus catches us when we think we are sinking and are fearful. 

The Epistle (Romans 10:5-15) reminds us that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him…“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”God meets each and everyone where they are. It doesn’t matter what their nationality or doctrine. God is there with Good News.

Not only is God speaking peace, Psalm 85 says God is offering salvation, righteousness, peace, and prosperity to those God meets. God meets us where Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God's righteousness will look down from heaven.In our concerns and joys, in our fears and celebrations, in the everyday living and in times of change, God meets us.

When was the last time you were met by God?

Psalm 85:8-13 8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. 9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. (Book of Common Prayer)

I am listening to what the Lord God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways. Surely he is ready to save those who honor him, and his saving presence will remain in our land. Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace. Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God's righteousness will look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosperous, and our land will produce rich harvests. Righteousness will go before the Lord and prepare the path for him. (Good News Translation)

The Feast of the Transfiguration

 We pause in our journey through the Psalms because today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. Rarely does it fall on a Sunday. This is the commemoration of Jesus on the Mountaintop with Peter, James and John as found in Luke 9:28-36 and Matthew 17:1-8.

It is also the day that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. With the newly released movie Oppenheimer about the development of the bomb, it’s hard not to remember that event. Images of the results of the bombing of Hiroshima are popping up on the internet, like this one of shadows burned into the side of a building at the instant of explosion. Apparently, this happened because of the intense light and heat from the implosion. The objects and people shielded the walls and sidewalks from being bleached by the energy. Dr. Michael Hartshorne tells Live Science, “In other words, those eerie shadows are actually how the sidewalk or building looked, more or less, before the nuclear blast. It's just that the rest of the surfaces were bleached, making the regularly colored area look like a dark shadow.”

Both incidents are transformative. Jesus is transfigured—changed in the eyes of the trio of disciples when they see him with Moses and Elijah and his clothing dazzling white. We might imagine and wonder what that experience was like.

In a totally different way, the atomic bomb changed life, and a generation’s perception of the safety of all the world’s families and children. Those of us who grew up during the Cold War can remember the fear talk of “the bomb” instilled in us. The current ‘saber-rattling’ by Russian president Putin and images of emergency workers in Ukraine having nuclear response drills, brings up memories of that time and raises concerns even with those who never experienced the ‘duck and cover drills.’

Each of us has times when we were transformed or changed by events in our lives. I recently heard a speaker talk about the ‘conversion events’ of our lives. Often, we narrowly define these as religious experiences. Certainly, we can be converted and transfigured by an intense retreat or prayer experience. These encounters with God are important in our faith journey. From the Hebrew scriptures this Sunday we hear that after Moses met with God, he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. (Exodus 34:29-35) Like Jesus, he was literally transfigured.

Transformative events in our lives are also conversions and transfigurations. These are the turning point times that make us look at the world and ourselves differently. Perhaps it’s the death of your parents, aunts, and uncles. You realize you are the senior representative of the family. Perhaps it’s a world event like 9/11 or the pandemic which makes you reconsider your role in the whole of society. Maybe the birth of a child or grandchild changed your perspective on who you are. It may be that you get a new perspective from something your read, a video you watch, or a conference you attend. Travel can also be a transforming event as you see how people in other places live and understand that they are very similar in their wants and hopes and desires, no matter how different their lives may look on the outside.

When your perspective is changed you want to do things differently. A religious conversion, in the traditional sense, makes you want to change so you are living more closely aligned with God. When you experience transformation because something in your life has changed, you cannot think and live quite the same way as before.

Have you ever had a transfiguration experience with God? Did your life change?

What are some of the other conversions or transfigurations in your life? How do you live differently now?

Whether your transfiguration or conversion is religious or personal, it is from God. As the Psalmist exalts, Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. (Psalm 99:9) God finds us in all parts of our lives.

Thanks be to God. 

Pentecost 9: Psalm 119: Blessing

 Here we are at the end of July. Summer is more than half over. Where I live, school will be starting in a week. The lessons today are a varied group. We hear about Solomon’s dream and God’s promise of wisdom and wealth. The Epistle affirms that we are chosen, loved, and protected by God. In the Gospel, Jesus gives four more parables about the Kingdom of God. He compares it to mustard seed and yeast, both growing and increasing. He also says it is like treasure in a field and a net full of fish which are sorted. The Psalm is full of blessings for those who obey God’s decrees.

Each of these lessons is about how God blesses our lives when we long for your commandments. Solomon (I Kings 3:5-12) asks Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people? God multiplies blessings to Solomon, because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. The Psalm affirms that when [God’s] word goes forth it gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

It can be tempting to plan things to conform with our own way of how we want them to be. Sometimes that doesn’t work out well. The words of the Epistle (Romans 8:26-39) remind us of how God cares for us even when we are in distress. We are consoled to hear that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words…the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us…[nothing] in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The truth that God knows our deepest sorrows and will keep us safe, even in the midst of grief or danger can be a deep comfort. The Psalmist, centuries earlier notes that God will rescue from those who oppress me.

The four parables in the Gospel are about the bounty of God’s kingdom. The tiny things—seed and yeast become trees and bread that are beneficial. The treasure in the field and the massive catch of fish also point to the richness of God’s blessing on our lives. Like the person who sells everything to get the field, the Psalmist cries, my desire for Your commands left me waiting, open-mouthed and panting.

Even though we are more than conquerors through Christ,as we follow the commandments of God we are, like Solomon, even more blessed. We are the good [fish put] into baskets, those whom he justified he also glorified.

All things are full of blessing if we just look for them. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg says blessing is “the kind of thing that people often experience in nature—at the proverbial mountaintop, when walking in the woods, seeing a gorgeous view of the ocean. But it’s also, I think, about bringing that sense of awe into the little things we often take for granted, or consider part of the background of our lives. This includes the flowers on the side of the road; the taste of ice cream in our mouths; ... or to find a really, really good stick on the ground. And it also includes things we generally don’t even think of as pleasures, like the warm soapy water on our hands as we wash dishes. (Danya Ruttenberg, Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting (New York: Flatiron Books, 2016), 56–57.)

Pause this week and look for blessings in the small things.

What blessing was most surprising?

Psalm 119:129-136 129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore I obey them with all my heart. 130 When your word goes forth it gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant; I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me in mercy, as you always do to those who love your Name. 133 Steady my footsteps in your word; let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Rescue me from those who oppress me, and I will keep your commandments. 135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (Book of Common Prayer)

Your decrees inspire wonder; because of that, my soul desires to keep them. When Your words are unveiled, light shines forth; they bring understanding to the simple. My desire for Your commands left me waiting, open-mouthed and panting. Acknowledge me and show me Your grace as is Your habit toward all those who love Your name. Guide my steps in the ways of Your word, and do not let any sin control me. Rescue me from the torment of my human oppressors so that I may live according Your decrees. Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and help me to learn what You require. My eyes shed rivers of tears whenever people fail to keep Your teaching (The Voice Version)

Pentecost 8: Psalm 86: Listen

 During this Season of Pentecost, we have heard about Obedience and Freedom. Last week was about sowing and bearing a good crop. This week, the lessons call us to listen. We are to listen to how we can walk in God’s way, how to listen to the Spirit in order to live into our adoption as God’s children, and we are to listen to Jesus explain that good and bad seed exists together. The Psalmist tells us that as we listen, we are taught and learn that our God is great and gracious and loving.

Isaiah (44:6-8) begins by speaking God’s own prophecy, thus says the Lord…I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god…Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! God declares that we are witnesses of all the mighty deeds of God. There is only God who acts and will continue to act for the people.

Who are the people of God? In the Hebrew Testament, the Chosen are the Children of Israel—the Hebrews. In the New Testament, the definition is expanded to include everyone. The Letter to the Romans (8:12-25) makes this very clear. We are asked to listen to the truth that all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

The entire world is beloved of God, chosen and adopted. That does not mean everything is perfect. The author of Romans notes, we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait…with patience. The world is not perfect by any means, but we have the promise that we are joint heirs with Christ.

In the Gospel (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) we hear the slightly confusing parable of the wheat and weeds. Jesus emphasizes that bad things can happen. Even though the farmer sowed good seed, he discovered when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. Rather than risking uprooting the good crop, the farmer tells his servants, let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.

Jesus further explains the parable to his disciples. This is something he rarely does. He tells them, the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. He ends his instruction with the instruction, let anyone with ears listen!

 

Sometimes we don’t listen to what God is saying. God speaks through scripture, through music and the written word, through friends, in nature, and so many other ways. We may limit ourselves when we just read ‘Christian’ books or listen to ‘Christian’ music or forget that God is in all creation. With the Psalmist we can pray to be more open and aware. Verse 11 prays, Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.

Being an adopted child of God means we can listen to God’s voice in all the many ways God speaks. Although proud men have come up against me, we can believe as the New Life Version says, our God is, full of love and pity. You are slow to anger and rich in loving-kindness and truth. 

Being adopted into the Family of God gives us the ability to listen to God and respond in love even when life isn’t perfect. Thanks be to God.

Where do you find it easiest to listen to God?

Can you hear God even when things aren’t going smoothly?

Psalm 86:11-17 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name. 12 I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your Name for evermore. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit. 14 The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent men seeks my life; they have not set you before their eyes. 15 But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth. 16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me; give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. (Book of Common Prayer)

Teach me Your way, O Lord. I will walk in Your truth. May my heart fear Your name. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You with all my heart. I will bring honor to Your name forever. For Your loving-kindness toward me is great. And You have saved my soul from the bottom of the grave. O God, proud men have come up against me. A group of fighting men want to take my life. And they do not think of You. But You, O Lord, are a God full of love and pity. You are slow to anger and rich in loving-kindness and truth. Turn to me, and show me loving-kindness. Give Your strength to Your servant. And save the son of your woman servant. Give me something special to see of Your favor. Then those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. Because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. (New Life Version)

Pentecost 7: Psalm 65: Sowing

 Today’s readings are all about sowing or planting. Sowing is not something all of us are familiar with in our urban environments. In fact, even planting one seed in a small pot can be stressful for some. How deep? How much water? How long until there is a plant? How do I keep it alive? To the people of the Bible, sowing was much more familiar.

Isaiah (55:10-13) relates his prophetic word to the sowing of seed which leads to making bread. The word of God shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The Epistle to the Romans (8:1-11) does not specifically speak about sowing and planting, instead speaking about life and death depending on whether we choose God or not. When we plant ourselves in God we discover, those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace

Jesus speaks directly to the process of sowing and harvesting in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew13:1-19, 18-23). He talks about a farmer who tosses his seed widely. Jesus says, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” 

Like the word of God in Isaiah, some of the seed is fruitful and some is lost to birds and weeds. By keeping our mind on things of the Spirit as advised in Romans, we are more likely to be the fruitful grain bearing a hundredfold what was planted.

The Psalm gives us a beautiful image of God who supplies the water needed for fields to grow. God will water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; the river of God is full of water. You prepare the grain. The Psalmist ends by proclaiming, in the words of the International Children’s Version The desert is covered with grass. The hills are covered with happiness. The pastures are full of sheep. The valleys are covered with grain. Everything shouts and sings for joy. It is a joyous hymn of praise to God who provides as needed, giving a good harvest.

This image from our recent British Island cruise is, in fact, a lovely green pasture full of sheep--the very image of what the Psalmist is talking about. 

The Psalmist is talking about real crops. We also produce a crop, as Jesus alludes to in the Parable. We might ask ourselves, What sort of field am I? What crop am I producing? Where is God watering my soil so that I can produce more fruitfully?

For a meditation on how our words are like seed, read this post by Debra Asis: The Seed of God is in Us: Do we choose to let it grow? | by Debra Asis | Jul, 2023 | Medium

This year so many in the US are struggling with oppressive heat, while others are overwhelmed by floods. In the heat of the summer, many areas are praying for the rain so that the hills and valleys can produce abundantly. Other places are overwhelmed by too much water from storms and floods and mourning lost crops. Let us pray for those dramatically affected by weather on both ends of the spectrum and for the crops planted.  

Psalm 65:9-14 9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; the river of God is full of water. 10 You prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth. 11 You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase. 12 You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths overflow with plenty. 13 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, and the hills be clothed with joy. 14 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; let them shout for joy and sing. (Book of Common Prayer)

You take care of the land and water it. You make it very fertile. The rivers of God are full of water. Grain grows because you make it grow. You cause rain to fall on the plowed fields. You soak them with water. You soften the ground with rain. And then you bless it. You give the year a good harvest. You load the wagons with many crops. The desert is covered with grass. The hills are covered with happiness. The pastures are full of sheep. The valleys are covered with grain. Everything shouts and sings for joy. (International Children’s Bible)