Sermon by the Rev. Barbara Ballenger for Sunday, June 21, the third Sunday after the Pentecost, Proper 7.

In this morning's sermon, the Rev. Barbara Ballenger looks at this week's readings and points to how they do not sugar-coat the reality of being a disciple of Christ. She names the request made of us - to lay down our old lives in order to create a new life - and how that might look. The Rev. Ballenger describes a recent interaction with fellow clergy on the subject of anti-racism and what white clergy are really willing to give up. Reflecting on our sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, she leaves us with hope, saying that she wants to tell us, "how the followers of Jesus are particularly equipped for these times, and what we can do not only to endure them, but to embrace them as part of our Great Commission."