Moment of Clarity With Rev. Lorrie Daly-Price

Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome tells us that although we each have different gifts and talents, we are all one in the body of Christ and that we are to be a living sacrifice. What does that even mean?  Think about what this may mean to you personally as we unpack this during worship.

The scripture of Matthew 16:13-20 has Jesus questioning the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Confounded, they must have thought that an odd question. They respond saying he is maybe John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Simon Peter stepped boldly forward and proclaimed Jesus as "Messiah, the Son of the living God."

 

Our second scripture is John 6:35, 41-51 where Jesus himself said to them, "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."  He was so more than a carpenter, more than an activist, even more than a miracle worker.  John's gospel is the answer.

 

Join us as we worship.  When worship is finished go out and praise God because JESUS IS.

Our footsteps lead us all over the beautiful earth that God created.  From the first sin - eating from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden we have been sinners.  Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we have been saved.  How do we build that deep and faithful relationship with God?  Please join us for our worship service.

 

For context, please read the following Scriptures:

Genesis 37:1-4,12-18

Romans 10:5-15

This week’s reading from Matthew’s gospel begins with Jesus at prayer. After transforming a few loaves and fish into a banquet and a day of preaching and teaching, Jesus retires to a quiet place to commune with God. We too have opportunities to be still and listen for God’s voice in stillness, as well as in the commotion of daily life. 

 

From silence Jesus goes into action, riding the waves to meet his followers. Once again, they are afraid of the storm. Jesus reassures them that all will be well, inspiring Peter to jump out of the boat. As long as Peter looks to Jesus, he can walk on water. The moment he is overcome with fear, he sinks. 

 

Today's readings invite us to look to God for help and wholeness. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we gain perspective on life and see the storms and trials of life in terms of God’s movement in our lives.

This week we hear the familiar story from Matthew’s gospel of feeding the 5,000. This story follows immediately after Herod has had John the Baptist executed. Jesus, feeling overwhelmed by his loss wants to get away from the crowds and regroup. He even takes a boat so he can evade the crowds. But his efforts to find a secluded spot falter because as soon as he sets off he is immediately followed by the crowds. Once back onshore he has compassion on them and he begins to heal the sick.

As the day began to wind down, the disciples begin to get anxious about the people. They had to be hungry, and a

hungry crowd can be an unruly one. Fear is setting in. So, they encourage Jesus to bring the healing session to a close and send them on their way. We can understand their concern. Anyone who is tasked with logistics understands that you don’t want things to get out of hand.

Jesus, as you might imagine, has other ideas. Jesus isn’t too worried it seems because he tells them to feed the crowds. Yes, he tells them, you feed them. They of course are flabbergasted. Wouldn’t you be? Yet after they have been fed they had more food than before left over. Could it be that this story is there to invite us to consider the hidden abundance in our midst?

Weeds.  Grass rooting in the flowerbeds. Clover. The untiring dandelion. The skulking, nameless stalks that mimic zinnias and daisies until they suddenly loom large. A gardener’s eyes scan for them continually. Their experienced hand, ready to pull with just the right twist to bring up the root, too.  Muscles from hand to arm to shoulder to waist all responding to the war of the weeds. Gardeners wage this war for the beautiful flowers they aim to protect.  But there is no denying that gardening is an exercise in control. 

 

In the reading this week from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives us the image of God as a mad farmer, scattering good seed everywhere. They begin to grow but so do those nasty weeds. So, the question is raised – What should we do about the weeds? Just let the weeds grow among the wheat, Jesus says, leave the weeds, lest you inadvertently pull out good wheat.  Wait until the harvest then you can sort out the weeds

This week’s reading comes from the Gospel of Matthew. From Matthew’s perspective, the judgment is near and people have one last chance to get their house in order. He is clear that there are consequences of actions and harsh penalties. These all might be at work here alongside the message of grace and the inclusive love of God.

 

The term used to describe the method of sowing in the time of Jesus was ‘broadcasting’. We are familiar with the term from radio, or television or mobile networks – it reaches everywhere.  The term originated in this farming method, casting seed everywhere and it reached, like sound waves, a variety of places. Sound messages and images infiltrate places where they can be ignored, or partially listened to when other issues distract attention, or rivet attention to the message. Much relies upon the recipient, not the quality of the message. The sower’s broadcasting process was not an economically sound method of planting, perhaps this is the point Jesus is making. God is not bound by the rules and invests in the seed and invites the faithful to cast it around the world in the hope and trust that it will take root in some people.

This week we hear a reading from Matthew’s Gospel. After sometime Jesus, weary from all of his traveling around with the disciples, looks up to heaven and prays. The substance of his prayer offers thanksgiving to God that the basics core meanings of life are really simple, rooted in a childlike faith that is built on trust. That trust, according to Jesus, is found when we cast our restless lives on God’s unchanging, faithful presence.

 

“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” (11:28-30).

 

The problem was however, that the followers of Jesus were caught up in the requirements of getting ahead and checking everything off of their daily to-do lists. They were burdened by the stresses placed on them and because of that struggled to see God acting in their lives. Maybe that sounds familiar to you as well. What might God be saying to us in those moments?

June 28, 2020 | In the reading this week from Matthew’s gospel we hear about the mission of the twelve disciples during Jesus’ life. They are placed in pairs and are given instructions on the message that they are to take to the communities. It’s not an easy message, but they are also offered the gifts that will allow them to bring healing within communities. Jesus encourages them to embrace the places where they are made welcome, and to shake the dust from their feet where they are not.

The world Jesus sends them to with the message is not an easy world. It’s a world where people wage war against one another, and their encounters will sometimes have them fleeing for refuge.

There is no equipment for the task, other than the clothes they wear, for they are to rely on the kindness of others. Then Jesus moves from addressing the disciples, and instead offers instruction for those who might welcome them. Those who arrive at the door, or into our lives, bringing the presence of Jesus are to be offered hospitality. Offering hospitality brings us into the community of Christ, inviting us to participate in the mission.

June 21, 2020 | The reading we hear this week from the gospel of Matthew, speaks about God’s faithfulness. God invites us to look beyond our own resources and self-interest so that we are able to see a larger vision of life. When troubles surround us, we are not alone; God is with us.

In the reading the disciples find themselves facing persecution but are reminded to remain faithful. They are to continue embracing the joys and the tragedies of life in their totality. Jesus tries to explain to them that by moving beyond their own anxieties will provide them the comfort of resting safely in God. Perhaps the readings this week are asking us to consider what limits we place on ourselves? What if we were to put our complete trust in the path that God has set before us for the future? I wonder what would happen?