The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey

Text:  Luke 15:1-10

"Our gospel today says, "And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, 'This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So Jesus told them these two parables. 

And these two parables are all about Jesus’ delight and joy when he spends time with humanity.  Jesus does not care for all of our categories.  Jesus does not think in terms of honor and dishonor.  Jesus does not understand the concept of dehumanizing another person, and the closer I get to Jesus the more it baffles me too.  

Just like God, Jesus sees a human and he sees one of his beloved and he desires to share food with them, to delight in them, and to celebrate this union."

Listen and pray with us.

The Prayers of the People from Black Liturgies and Edward Hays
Read by Vibh Cox

The Reb. Meghan Mullarkey

Text: Luke 19:28-40

"The people spreading their cloaks ahead of Jesus as he enters Jerusalem on a baby colt know that there is another parade happening on the other side of town with Pontius Pilate, surrounded by Roman solders, on a huge war horse. 

And just like these people in the crowd this morning, we have to choose which parade we want to join. We cannot take comfort in both the davior who comes in on an unridden colt and the savior who comes in on an intimidating war horse.  

For one must terrify us and one must give us hope. 

Which parade do you choose? Which parade brings you comfort?  Which parade gives you hope for this world?"

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Luke 5:1-11

"They caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

This is another image for us as try to imagine and grasp the abundance of God.  

The grace and love of God that surrounds us is just like this.  The nets are about to break, the boat is sinking, it cannot be contained or stored, or invested, or used for later -  there is simply too much of it, it must be shared and given away. 

This is the world that is before us if we want it.  It is still here.  Just because politicians try to create a different imagination for the world we live in, doesn’t mean this abundant world of love and care has goes away.  

Just because we say all strangers are dangerous doesn’t make it true."

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

"It is our vulnerability that connects us to one another, builds community, and strengthens us. Vulnerability is only unsafe, unprotected and weak when we are trying to do life alone. When we stop moving towards each other.  

See as we move towards each other, we discover our vulnerability is the glue that holds it all together, and it is our violence that tears us a part and weakens our bonds."

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Luke 3:1-6

"Think about this - if you know the person who drives you craziest in this community, belongs, then you may start to wonder if your version of crazy is welcome here too.

This is why we always seek a wider still approach - my prayer is that this whispers to everyone - as parts of you get revealed, as you worry maybe I talked too much or not enough, or did my crazy just come out, that you would hear whispers from the Holy Spirit, wider still.  Even you.  Even them.  And if them, then you too. "

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Mark 13:1-8

"Remember apocalypse means revelation.  Maybe we need both - an apocalyptic dooms day imagination and an eschatological hope-filled imagination - so we can both speak to the current reality that we are experiencing, while still imagining and demanding a different way together that all point towards God's promises and God's Kingdom that is here and now."

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 & Mark 12:38-44

"We need a new ending, to this old song, we need to believe the people and we need to be the people, who can see the world how it could be, despite of the way that it is."

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Mark 10:17-31

The Rev. Meghan Mullarkey
Text: Mark 10:2-16
& St. Francis Observed