Nothing can separate us from the love of God

 Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128  • 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Psalm 119:129- 136 •   Romans 8:26-39  • Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

I really like the articles for this week's lesson. As Jesus gives us the parable of the mustard seed, the yeast, the pearl, and the basket of fish, we are shown that we can live with a sense of wonder and surprise, and, as we experience in the beautiful sacrament of baptism, we learn that we belong to God. See "Wow! Would You Look at This?" by Peter Woods, and "You Belong to God," by Daniel P. Clendenin.  Michael Fitzpatrick says he sometimes fears that we have forgotten how our faith is supposed to be Good News, not just for us, but everyone. Read his "The Good News is that God Is For Us," Read also Danae Ashley's "Finding Value in What Others Overlook. "

Living in the kingdom. Even when things happen which we don't understand, or we can't make everything right, Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, chapter 8, that the Spirit intercedes for us in sighs "too deep for words," and that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God. So, let's open our eyes in wonder, to make way for the surprises God has in store for us. And let us respond in gratitude, and giving.

Jacob's ladder and gardening among wheat and weeds

 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 our Scripture takes us from Jacob's ladder, to a stone, to gatdening the wheat among tared. 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? 

For the significance of the biblical account of Jacob's ladder and a stone or rock read Susan Butterworth's: "Stone, Wheat, and Weeds,"and Whitney Rice's "A Rock, A Ladder, A Promise ."

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. 

Joy in Uncertain Times

 

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.

Beyond just being a good person

 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."

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.