Month: June 2020

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In todays reading we see evidence of just how deeply our God cares and watches over our lives. In the old testament we are shown how Abraham is troubled by sending Hagar and Ishmael into the desert. His only comfort is the message provided by God that the child and his mother will be safe. In fact the child will be the founder of a new nation. Faith provides Abraham peace and comfort in the decisions and actions he is called to make.

Building on this the Epistle reminds us of our relationship with Jesus and what His covenant provides to ease what ever concerns we might have. The affirmation of our acceptance into His arms assures us the request to move from sin to love is absolutely the foundation of our peace in this life.

In the Gospel we are given the understanding of the expectations of God that we be unconcerned with the daily struggles we face. In this wonderful reading we are advised that our path may not always be calm and unfettered but can be confrontational, irritating and sometimes frightening. Filled with threats, anger and demeaning words. It reminds us that Jesus came to give us the opportunity to take up our cross and follow Him into a growing faith and path to paradise even in the most difficult of times.

Our relationship with God is a wonderful and awesome gift and my prayer for us is that we never lose direction even when the the world seems to be filled with fear, hysteria, anger and going is a bit troublesome let this be our prayer.

Faithful God, your love stands firm from generation to generation,

your mercy is always abundant.

Give us open and understanding hearts, that having heard your word,

we may seek Christ’s presence in all whom we meet. Amen.

May the blessing of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among us today

and remain with us always.

Amen
Fr John

Sermon Proper 7

Genesis 21:8-21

Abraham is remembered for the covenant God made to him, telling Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, we also can not ignore Sarah and Harar, without them, Abraham, would have no descendants.

Hagar: the servant girl was forced against her will to have a sexual relation with her master Abraham, she gave birth to his son Ishmel who became the forefather of Islam. Think about the conflicts that we read about in the newspaper and hear on the evening news. These conflicts are not simply modern conflicts. When we consider difficult passages such as this reading from Genesis 21: 8-21 it is not just a moment in history but part of an ancient struggle that continues today.

Abraham’s wife Sarah gave birth to his second son Issac. Issac also became the leader of a Great Nation also the Lord’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled and through Ishmel and Issac, Abraham became the father of two great nations.

Psalm 86:1-10 ,16,17

The psalmist calls to God for help against his enemies. The psalmist states that having a relationship with God is not limited to only petition or only praise but is a combination of both. Words of praising God before asking for deliverance from enemies and going into thanksgiving even before God provides  help. The hope of favor comes from God. We should reach deeply into our scriptural tradition. Then we are able to call out with faith and hope to God who has helped us and comforted us.

Romans 6:1b-11

This passage with references to sin and references to death does not appear to be very pleasant. But Paul is explaining how through Christ our lives are not limited to sin and death. But through the grace of God, we may be united with Christ and escaped the bonds of sin and death. It is through Baptism we are united with Christ and we come to share in the joy of the resurrection and the grace of God.

Matthew 10:24-39

One complaint against Christianity brought up by non-believers is why does an all-powerful, loving God allow terrible things to happen in the world – just like the current virus and all the up heave it has caused. This criticism only holds up, if one believes in the common misunderstanding that Christianity is a religion of sunshine, rainbows, unicorns, and puppy dogs, with no suffering and pain. Matthew’s gospel shows that God’s kingdom comes with much pain and suffering.

Todays reading teaches us that following Christ and living a life of faith will not always be easy. But Jesus empowers us to stand in opposition to our oppressors and proclaim the peace and love of God. Proclaiming the Good news will always make those in power uncomfortable and sometimes this means people in our own families. Ultimately, we will be rewarded for doing what is right and God will acknowledge us. 

Prayer for the day

Gracious and everlasting God, who in Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many, so clothe us in your Holy Spirit that when we face adversity of persecution for the sake of the Gospel, we may remain love bearers and faithful servants of your unfailing goodness until the Day of the Lord,. Amen

Sermon
Second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 6
Year A
June 14, 2020

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-15; [21:1-7]
Psalm 116:1, 10-17
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:8. [9-23]

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

 Compassion and Forgiveness

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus, gives the twelve disciples following him, instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Proclaiming the good news, the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The lesson is a narrative summery of Jesus’ activities and ministry. He is a teacher, healer and a proclaimer of good news for all the people.

He tells his disciples, that the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you!

I will admit, I am not a very good evangelist…I have always struggled with going up to perfect strangers and telling them about the good news of Jesus Christ. 

If someone should approach me, I am good with it and have no problem telling them how much Jesus loves you.

But, on that note, how do we change the face of the world? How do we help heal the world?  

It is not just a few people that need healing, it is all countries around the world…somedays it appears we are losing the fight.

I do not want to believe that we are all lost. 

In the past couple of months we saw the very best in people, during the Corona virus we witnessed, people standing up and leaning out their windows clapping for the Doctors, Nurses and all health care people, they also were thanking the police, first responders and firefighters, all putting their lives on the line to save others.

Everyone stepping up to feed people and helping people who lost their jobs knowing they had no way of feeding their families.

In an instant, things changed and we saw the worst in people…. but! people fighting again for social injustice, wanting and demanding change.

Mr. George Floyd, should not have died that day. The pouring of outrage was understandable and everyone felt compassion for him and his family. 

I personally…imagined Jesus laying on the ground with him, with his arms around him, holding him and saying, I got you George, you will be in paradise with me today.

In order to feel as Jesus felt, we need to feel compassion. The Greek verb translated,

“felt compassion”, is used often in the Gospels. It is related to a noun meaning, “inward parts.”

Changes start here… (pointing to my heart). Changes start inwardly and flows outward to those who suffer. 

“Jesus saw the crowd and he had compassion on them”

Paul’s letter to the (Colossians 3:12-13) As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord’ has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Conclusion:

All our decisions should be on the teaching of Jesus Christ, not on leaders of social groups or political parties.

The only way to bring people to a life that will lead us to salvation, is to evangelize and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is not our place to judge or condemned or punish, but to love, forgive and spread kindness and compassion on “All God’s people” regardless of race and background. Jesus says it is up to us, or duty as Christian’s is to teach and spread the love of Christ.

Martin Luther King says, “I have decided to stick to love, hate is to great a burden.”

And it starts right here. (pointing to my heart)

Turning ourselves to the Devine, we will experience an unbelievable stirring of the soul and awaking of the soul. Our soul needs to be Christ like.

We cannot heal the world until we heal ourselves.

St Augustine of Hippo, “The soul is restless until it rests in Thee”

Let your soul rest in Christ Jesus and embrace Gods grace and forgiveness and be kind to each other, have compassion for each other and teach compassion and forgiveness.

Good news:

“The Gospel lessons of peace, love, compassion, truth, understanding, and positive activism are all things that transform our lives.” And the scriptures lead us to our Salvation. 

Amen
Rev. Lola

Let us pray:

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always acceptable to You my strength and my Redeemer. Amen

What an awesome story and promise in the readings today. From the very beginning of our understanding we are given the pictures of God’s mighty creativity in action. The absolute deliberateness of putting all the right things together so they fit into His plan. Plants, animals, humans the very planet and its ecology are placed just right so as to nurture all creation for a wonderful growth and majesty.

We are gifted with the stewardship of these creations and lovingly taught how we should treat each other to please our creator and grow with love, peace and joy. In this season of Pentecost the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to the desciples just as Christ had told them, to provide a guide, teacher and comforter as they continued in their ministry. As Christs first gift to his followers He charges them to provide it to all who embrace a relationship with Jesus, the same assurances given to this day. How wonderful and grace driven to accept and share such a wonderous gift.

As we continue to deal with the issues facing us today it seems there is no rapid resolution for either our medical concerns or our social unrest being fueled by some terrible current events. The gift we have been provided still offers us conciliation and a guide to how we can hold our hearts in a safe and loving posture, even as the disciples were witness to Christ final promise we are also provided these words of assurance

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So today my prayer for us all is we never lose sight of the giftss, guidance and love we have and continue to receive from our God. Let our hearts and minds be put at ease as we walk the path laid before us and know we are never alone.

May the blessings of God

Father, Son and Holy Spirt be with us today and remain with us always.

Amen
Fr John