The Parable of the Wheat and Tares - growing together

Scripture:Genesis 28:10-19a and Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24  • Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8 and Psalm 86:11-17  • Romans 8:12-25  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

This week we study Jesus' second parable of sowing seeds. Again the sower broadcasts the good seed, and this time the wheat and weeds grow up together. Should we weed the field so the good plants can grow? They become entangled. Is this about judging others? What can we learn about judging others? Is this about the good and bad in all of us? 

Life is not all black and white, as we all know. There is something greater than ourselves and it takes time, patience, and faith to look for the light in times of darkness, and the sun in times of rain. As Jesus said, it rains on both tge good and the bad together. So it is with wheat and tares. Read Debie Thomas' "Let Them Grow Together." All creation experiences growing pains. Read "Inheritance," by The Rev. Kellan Day. May we discern and grow through the lens of Christ. 

The Extravagant Sower - divine extravance and joy in times of uncertainty

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112  • Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13  • Romans 8:1-11  • Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Jesus gives us one of his parables of the sower in this week's gospel reading. Here, it seems, is a wild, perhaps reckless sower. Some seeds fall on rocks and hard ground. Some among thorns. And others on good soil. Several years ago I learned an important life lesson from a now retired Episcopal priest, Fr. Rodge Wood. He taught me something like this: When you make a gift, it is no longer yours to worry about how it will be used. Otherwise, in seeking to control the consequences, you have taken it back. Such is forgiveness. Be set free by giving your gift, and yourself. I texted him about this this week, and he told me that I taught him how to live an abundant life. This week's lesson is about "reckless" giving without worry or control, but trusting that every good gift comes from God, whose love is abundant, and will see us through every second of our lives together. And we can teach, and learn from each other - if only we care and try, which is what Jesus calls us to do. Read Debie Thomas' "The Extravagant Sower," for a much needed lesson in these times of pandemic and economic uncertainty about the relationship between divine extravagance and 

Consider The Rev. Joseph Evans' "The Sower's Lesson," and "Life and Death
: God's Care Package is Bursting, " by Enuma Okoro, published in Sojourners.

What does being a Christian give you that being a good person does not?

Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13  •  Zechariah 9:9-12 and Psalm 145:8-14  • Romans 7:15-25a  • Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

This week's gospel is iconic for most Christian's wearied and burdened  by life's challenges, personally and communally. These are trying times for Christians, and all of God's children. What can Christians bring to the table in these times other than being a good person?

After giving us answers you might expect, such as hope, purpose, a sense of companionship of a loving,self giving God, of vocation, and the beauty of a divinely ordained and created world, a home in the real sense - all good and life sustaining - Debie Thomas gives us an eye opening answer to the question "What does being a Christian give you that being a good person does not?" in her "A Lighter Burden." A searing and incisive look at that which separates us from the peace we need - sin. This isn't just semantic, or condemnatory. It is something we, individually and in community, must seriously examine in our individual and communal lives in order to move on. Please for your sake, and that of our community, nation and world, read it, along with this:

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Also read The Rev. Dr. Joseph Pagano's "Come to Me."

Hospitality and a cup of cold water - what does God require of us?

• Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14 and Psalm 13  • Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18  • Romans 6:12-23  • Matthew 10:40-42

In this Sunday's readings we have the amazing story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Are we, like Abraham, being tested?  Consider Dan Clendenin's "A Terrifying Text: Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah," and, along with Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, put yourself in Abraham's shoes. Compare this with last Sunday's gospel where Jesus says that whoever loves his son or daughter more than me, or who does not take up their cross and follow me, is not worthy of me.  What does God ask of us?

Enjoy the story of wild haired college student John, who squats in the isle of a church service in  Christopher Burkett's "The Smallest of Good Deeds." 

What does God want us to do? Thinking about freedom this Indepence Day holiday? Read Denae Ashley's "Shake off the Dust." Finally, read Fr. Ric Morley's "sit up straighter..." Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me.

God's Peace in the Midst of Fear and Chaos

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17  • Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18  • Romans 6:1b-11  • Matthew 10:24-39

"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me." Words from a favorite hymn. In this week's scripture, from Hagar's despair over her son, Ishmael, cast out in the desert and death of her son looming, to Jeremiah's lament, to Jesus telling the disciples that God cares for them as he sends them out to take his message of love and forgiveness to a hostile world, we learn that God sees, hears, is present, and provides. God knows when every sparrow falls, and every hair on our heads is counted, Jesus tells us. 

And what about that hostile world and our greatest fears? How is God with us? What does God's peace mean for us? Read Debie Thomas' essay, "What to Fear."

In "Sent," The Rev. Joslyn Ogden Shaefer says Jesus sends out his disciples to interrupt the world-as-they (we)-know it with new possibilities for healing, wholeness, truth-telling, and repaired relationships.

There will be storms and battles, but, thanks be to God, through Christ, there will be victory, even victory over death. Read "Ishmael: God Hears and Sees," by Dan Clendenin and  "Facing battles with the promise of victory," by The Rev. Canon Frank S. Logue.

Go and render believable the compassion of God

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17  • Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18  • Romans 6:1b-11  • Matthew 10:24-39

During times of turmoil, tragedy, and darkness, it is natural to ask "Where is God when we need God?" As we see senseless killing, or abuse by those we trust to provide care for us, whether it be by the police, spouses, parents, guardians, and even the Church, and the anger and sorrow that killing or abuse produces, what are we called to do?

What, and how, are we to deal with our anger and sorrow? Our Scripture this week gives us answers. And they may not be answers we expect, or want, for that matter. 

First, there is the Old Testament story of Haggar and Ishmael, banned and left to die in the firestorm of Sarah's jealousy. Where is God in this? Read Dan Clendenin's ""Ishmael: God Hears and Sees." This reminds me of the old hymn, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," and I know he watches over me.

Consider our reading from Paul's letter to the Romans when he talks about character, and what that produces.

And finally, read the gospel reading from Matthew and Debie Thomas' "I Am Sending You," as we ponder, and maybe agonize over, what we can do. What we are called to do?

Why the Trinity Matters - especially now.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Psalm 8  • 2 Corinthians 13:11-13  • Matthew 28:16-20

This is Trinity Sunday. In these troubled times of pandemic, economic uncertainty, division, and the pain and suffering so many are experiencing with issues regarding race, brutality, and civil and violent protests, why does knowledge and appeal to the Trinity - God in three persons - three in one - God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - matter? What difference does it make?  What can we learn, and rely on to help us through these times? 

Debie Thomas, in The Undivided Trinity, gives us a timely and important lesson.
This Sunday's gospel also contains Jesus’s commission to spread the good news to all the earth, the ends of the earth. How and what does he mean? Read Dan Clendenin's "What I Do Is Me."