Katelyn Printz helps us grapple with the difficult instructions of Jesus  to "hate" your family in order to be a Disciple. By studying the underlying Greek and the context of the passage, though, we find that this instruction carries on a trend of inverting expectations for all kinds of relationships by recentering around Christ. Through this lens, we find that Jesus is leading us to separate ourselves from those things that would try to force an identity on us so that we can define our primary identity in terms of our connection with God. 

Sermon by Father Johnny Tuttle

[Description Forthcoming]

Father Johnny leads us in a contemplation of the Sabbath and what it truly means for a day to be reserved for rest. In today's constantly connected world, it is all to easy for every moment to become dedicated to productivity. In fleeting moments of rest, exhaustion and mental chaos fill the spaces were restoration should be. By reflecting on the Sabbath tradition, we find that it is inextricable from liberation, not least of which the liberation from the constant pressures from society to produce and generate profit. 

Katelyn Printz reminds us to slow down in our busy schedules and pay attention to the world around us. Life is full of God's gifts, and it is important for us to be mindful and present in each moment, taking the time to process the blessings that often go unseen and unappreciated. By doing this, we begin to see all of creation as a gift to be cherished and shared, not to be hoarded, and in doing so, we orient our lives so that we begin to live into a pattern of gift giving, of generosity, or community working toward bringing about the Kingdom of God here on earth. 

Father Johnny leads ups on a contemplation of Jesus' Parable of the Foolish Rich Man. Jesus uses humor and absurdity in the parable to demonstrate the tragedy of a person's life if they devote all their time and attention to gaining and hoarding wealth. Loneliness takes over that person until their life and their belongings are their only companions, and life can be take away at any time. Thus, it is paramount that we, as followers of Jesus, learn to appreciate friendships, connections, and communities because life shared together is at the very core of who we are as Christians. 

Dr. Alison Barton leads us through the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, or as she would have it, the Intentionally Perceptive Samaritan. This story is often presented as a lofty ministerial goal which can be weaponized into a guilt trip. However, Dr. Barton illustrates that the good performed by the Samaritan results directly from him drawing near to the beaten man, opening himself up to the vulnerability that comes with approaching a fellow human in need, and then allowing himself to be led by the compassion that wells up inside him. With this in mind, we are called to draw near to our fellow humans, to look past our prejudices and biases, and to open ourselves to God's compassion. And just as the Good Samaritan enlisted the help of the inn keeper, we, too, are not expected to undertake such radical compassion alone. 

Through his reflection on the past weeks mission efforts with the EYG, Father Johnny helps us to better understand the instructions Jesus gave his Disciples as they went out into the surrounding community. Jesus does not send them with instructions to coerse or convert. The Disciples are not to go door to door engaging in debates and arguments to get others to ascent to their message. Rather, they take with them God's peace and Jesus' message of radical hospitality as they go, and through this, they bring the Kingdom of God near as they pass through the various towns and villages they encounter. Embrace and hospitality is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God drawing near, and it is something that the Church should, indeed must, continue to pursue today, both by serving the community and by welcoming the stranger at the table God has prepared before us. 

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Today, we reflect on Jesus' passage with his followers through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem. When the Disciples offer to call down fire to destroy the city, they are referring back to Elijah doing the same to the Samarians in the Old Testament. However, Father Johnny helps us to understand that Jesus' response in light of Elijah's actions later in the Old Testament story. By doing so, Jesus dismantles the Disciples effort to weaponize Scripture. 

As we contemplate the story of the Gerasene Demoniac, Deacon Chris invites us to assess how the possessed man is treated by those around him. We find that rather and compassion and concern, the man's family, friends, and neighbors reacted with fear, only worsening the possessed's suffering. Today, fear continues to be the catalyst for suffering by rooting out compassion and love. 

Katelyn Printz invites us to understand that Jesus was the ideal teacher in every way, not just in how he conveyed information but also in how he knew to respect the limitations of the Disciples. Jesus knew that his Disciples, and by extension us as part of the Church today, are not able to grapple with the deepest truths he has to offer all at one time. Our brains just can't handle it, but in his loving kindness, Jesus guides the listener with patience rather than overloading them with difficult information.