The BreadCast

(Gn.2:18-24; Ps.128:1-6; Heb.2:9-11; Mk.10:2-16) "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." The beauty and blessing of marriage, the marvel it is, and how it reaches unto heaven. "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." This is the loving thought of our Lord God while looking upon the man He has created. And so from the body of the man God creates woman. How indelibly one are these two, in origin, in destiny, and in the eyes of their Creator. Inseparable should they be: "one flesh." And if it were so, if these lived as He intended, the blessings sung of by our psalmist today would be upon all: "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table." Then would we reflect the glory of God and His love for His Church and its children. Then would we "see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of [our] life." The love of man and woman, of husband and wife, is truly as the love of God for His bride, the Church. Hear what St. Paul says of the Christ, who has come to bring "many children to glory": "He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin." Does he not say Jesus has become as our brother, made perfect through suffering – "flesh of [our] flesh"? Does the Lord not thus wed Himself to us by the incarnation and death of His only Son? And look at Jesus in our gospel, surrounded by children waist deep. He has just spoken of the sanctity of marriage and now He clearly conveys its blessed fruits, both for husband and wife on earth, and for Him and His Church. He declares of the children He has called to Himself, "The kingdom of God belongs to such as these," and then "He embrace[s] them and bless[es] them," wedding them unto His heart. As woman is born out of the side of man, as she is flesh of his flesh, so the Church is born out of the pierced side of the Lord, from the blood and water that flow there, becoming one with His blessed Body. And let all men and women know, every husband and wife understand, that their marriage is blessed alone by God and finds its life in Him. It is He to whom they are truly wed, and their offenses against one another offend only Him. If you seek to separate from one another, you work to separate yourself from God; for as He is love, so He is every marriage, and to Him you are beholden to bear fruit in His name. Great will be the blessing upon your home if you cherish your oneness in Him – great as the blessings upon His Church, which in His love He does now form. Make all your love one with Him. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Marriage" from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, bring life forth in our midst through the children you bless. YHWH, let us be joined to you in the sacrificial flesh of your Son. Bone of His bone let us be, one with Him forever. As you join together man and wife on this earth, so join us to you in Heaven. O let us never be divorced from love of one another or from you, dearest LORD! Then we shall be blessed; then we shall remain in your presence and know your arms around us. O let us have the faith of a child and come humbly before you to hear your Word of truth spoken of by your Son, and so let us share in His salvation. Let us never harden our hearts against your good will for our lives and we shall prosper in your peace. We are taken from you, O LORD, and must be united with you again. But if we do not love one another and bear fruit in your Name, if man and wife do not stand as the paragon of your love, what shall become of the human race?

(Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Ps.88:2-8; Lk.9:51-56) "My soul is surfeited with troubles and my life draws near to the netherworld." After sitting in silence seven days, scraping the boils from his skin, finally, "Job opened his mouth and cursed his day." Finally he cries out against all his troubles, asking, "Why did I not perish at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?" Only so much can mortal man bear, and so Job seeks now only the tranquility of death, wherein "the weary are at rest." How well our psalm today describes Job's state, he who is among those "whose path is hidden from them, and whom God hemmed in." For he truly finds himself now "numbered with those who go down into the pit… a man without strength" from whom all blessing has been taken. His "couch is among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom [God] remember[s] no longer and who are cut off from [His] care." And so he prays for an end to his misery; so he seeks the forgetfulness of death to remove its pangs from his body and his heart. And is it not these same pangs James and John would inflict upon the Samaritans who refuse to welcome Jesus: "Lord, would you not have us call down fire from heaven to destroy them?" Would they not plunge them "into the bottom of the pit, into the dark abyss" where Job sits in his innocence? Is it not right that God's "wrath lies heavy" upon such as these? Let God's "billows" "overwhelm" them, they declare. But Jesus has another answer. He would not see even the guilty suffer the fate of the righteous Job. For He is now "firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem," where His crucifixion awaits. He is now upon the fulfillment of His mission here on earth, and it has nothing to do with punishing the sins even of His persecutors – it has only to do with His death. It is He upon whom God's wrath shall be heavy, He who will be plunged into the pit… He who will suffer all punishment for sin. Even for these Samaritans (even for you and me), the Lord shall suffer and die, taking upon Himself the punishment James and John see rightly due them, rightly due to all. His cross completes the pangs inflicted upon Job. And through this cross the troubles shall be overcome. Brothers and sisters, let us no longer cry for relief from our suffering, for that relief is at hand now in the cross of Christ; He has suffered all these things already, and we must but give them to Him to be drawn from the netherworld and set in His glory. ******* O LORD, let us be taken with your Son from this world of darkness and death. YHWH, save us from the dark abyss, from the nether world to which by our sin we come. Let us know that the price has been paid by your only Son, who has suffered all torments for us. In His sacrifice let us trust, and give to Him our cross. Truly, LORD, this earth is a dark place, and it draws us to a darker place, an eternal abyss, where is no light. From the grave how shall we be saved, we who are mortal and decaying, we who are surfeited with troubles, with the bitterness of this disobedient age? Does it not seem to us there is no escape. O let us not be forgetful of you, LORD, or of your love! Let us not forget that you have sent your only Son, to die not only for the righteous but also those who would cast Him out – His death means new life to all who offer Him their cross. How quickly He would take all darkness from us, how eagerly He awaits our turning to Him… O Jesus, lift all souls from the bottom of the pit; save us from the wrath we rightly deserve.

(Nm.11:25-29; Ps.19:8-10,12-14; Jas.5:1-6; Mk.9:38-43,45,47-48) "Would that all the people to the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow His Spirit on them all!" There is of course a striking similarity in our first reading and our gospel today. In one, Joshua, "who from his youth had been Moses' aide," comes to his master to inform him that two men who had not gone as instructed to the mountain to receive God's Spirit were "prophesying in the camp": "Moses, my lord, stop them," he zealously proclaims. And in the other, John, the Lord's beloved disciple, conveys his message to Jesus: "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us," he, too, attempting to thwart the Spirit of God which does not go forth in channels that seem proper. But Moses' answer above could not be more strongly stated, and Jesus says plainly to His disciples, "Do not prevent them. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me." And so, let goodness go forth, unto the ends of the earth. Indeed, Moses' cry is the Lord's will, and it is this will Jesus has come to realize – that all may embrace what is right and true and so come to the kingdom of heaven. However, inherent in Moses' exclamation is also the unfortunate fact that most do not have the Spirit of God; most are not walking in His name. More often than not the "wanton sin" which James so graphically presents to our eyes and ears is the state of man; and so the horrible miseries he even more graphically represents become their fate. And so, to accomplish His work of salvation upon the face of the earth, the Christ must necessarily be severe in His speech, in His warning and His instruction: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off… If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off… If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out" – better these measures than the fires of Gehenna… better any pain on this plane than the eternal punishments of the hell wrought by the sins so much a part of all our lives. With great wisdom David speaks of the precepts of the Lord. First he recognizes that "the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul" and "fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever"; then, seeking to endure forever with the Lord of all, he declares to God of His laws: "Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, yet who can detect failings?" And even wiser is he to cry out, "Cleanse me from my unknown faults!" for he knows only this thorough cleansing will make him any prophet of God; only if he be "blameless and innocent" will he maintain the Lord's Spirit within himself. And so the same is true for all the Lord would gather into His arms, all who seek His eternal reward. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Open Air" from Thoroughfare, seventh album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, that all were prophets! that all would purify their souls in your undying light and so enter into your kingdom. YHWH, your Spirit be upon us this day. Let us turn away from all sin that we might enter your kingdom. How perfect you are, O LORD, and how perfect is your Law. Your Word comes to us as a cleansing flame. But if we turn our hearts from love of you, that flame becomes a devouring fire. If we attach ourselves to the riches of this world, seeking its treasure by ungodly means, what can we be but separated from you on your holy Day. For all that is wicked shall be cast into flame, and from it shall not be withdrawn. But all your children will be refreshed by that flame, purified to stand in your presence. O let us be innocent and blameless of serious sin, dearest LORD and God! And let us not lead any astray, that we might not merit condemnation. It is your will that all come to glory and you cannot but cast aside all who work against the bestowing of your Spirit upon souls.

(Prv.3:27-34; Ps.15:1-5; Lk.8:16-18) "The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just He blesses." Light fills the house of him "who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue," for he who does these things is as light itself, having no part with darkness. He knows that "to the Lord the perverse man is an abomination," and so he "env[ies] not the lawless man and choose[s] none of his ways" but chooses always the way of God and so finds the "friendship" of the Lord which is with "the upright," which is as light shining upon him and through him. As for the wicked, "he who has not will lose even the little he thinks he has," for the Lord is not with him; and all he has gained by "usury" and by "bribe[s] against the innocent" shall be revealed in all its emptiness on the day the Lord shines His encompassing light – he will indeed be left with nothing, for nothing he truly has. He who has "plot[ted]… evil against his neighbor" and "quarrel[led]… with a man without cause" will never be able to stand in the light of the Lord, for he has made his home in darkness, and in darkness he shall remain. Certainly this "reprobate is despised" by the Lord, for his rebellion puts him in opposition to the kingdom of God. And so we must "take heed, therefore, how [we] hear" the Lord's instruction, for His instruction is as light itself and brings the light of salvation to the receptive soul. This light we must make our own and place it "on a lampstand so that whoever comes in" – whoever approaches the house in which we dwell – "can see it" and can share in it freely. All shade of sin must be removed from our souls so that without hindrance and without hesitation our light will shine forth and all will know the abiding love of the Lord. "He who does these things shall never be disturbed." He who does these things, who reflects the Lord's justice and love all his days, cannot but be blessed by the Lord, for he himself becomes His own. "When He is dealing with the arrogant, He is stern, but to the humble He shows kindness." And so, having his deeds "brought to light" is as a curse for the wicked, but to the just it means eternal blessing. ******* O LORD, all is known in your holy light: help us to do good and avoid evil. YHWH, let us walk blamelessly before you; in innocence let us dwell. Let us not turn to the paths of the wicked but remain ever in your light, walking always in your way. Then we shall be blessed with your presence. LORD, all shall be exposed in your holy light; from you none can hide. And so, let us not be afraid to do your will with confidence, with faith in your protection and guidance. Let us not shy away from shining your light with our very lives, for in this way we shall be kept from straying. Those who stray, O LORD, you condemn. Those whose hearts are hardened against you walk the path to perdition, and so as long as they continue to travel in sin, their destruction is assured. For darkness has no place in your kingdom of light, and those who proudly persist in their sin cannot but be cast from your presence. But let us do no harm; let us honor you by thinking and speaking only truth and remaining ever humble before you.

(Ws.2:12,17-20; Ps.54:3-8; Jas.3:16-4:3; Mk.9:30-37) "Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." And can there be any greater foul practice come from jealousy and selfish ambition than that of which we hear in our first reading from the Book of Wisdom, for here the wicked plot the death of the Son of God – here is spoken of the horrible persecutions which the Messiah and all His followers undergo at the hands of the proud souls: "With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of His gentleness and try His patience." And so the Lamb of God shall endure His "shameful death," according to the dark threats they breathe. "The haughty have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes," David cries unto the Lord. He too knows those who "kill and envy," who "fight and wage war" against the righteous one because he puts them to shame, because he "reproaches [them] for transgressions of the law," his justice and truth ever a sign of contradiction against "the passions that make war in [their] members," from which they refuse to be released. But it is indeed so, as even their own words condemn the wicked, that "God will take care of [the just one]," that "God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes." "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life," David exclaims in the midst of his trial – for indeed the help of the Lord is ever with us; He shall always "defend [our] cause." And the wicked shall ever be put to death for their sins against Him. And what of the disciples today? It is true that "they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest." At this point in the journey they still are "arguing about" petty matters which lead but to condemnation, even as Jesus speaks of His imminent death. But their vain pride shall not last the day. For even in the Lord's placing a child in their midst there is a kind of turning point; ashamed they can only be now, and soon, so soon, they will follow their blessed Lord to their own cross of crucifixion. Set yourselves on the right path, brothers and sisters. Be not afraid to ask the Lord of His way and of the help you need to follow. But do not ask in vain or your evil desires will destroy you, and you shall not know His kingdom. Let no jealousy rule your hearts, but order your lives according to the Lord's pure wisdom, and be "full of mercy and good fruits," as even our "gentle" and "compliant" Lord. Keep this Child ever before your eyes. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Unbind Yourself" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, only you will deliver us from the hands of our foes and from our own transgressions. YHWH, your Son was condemned to a shameful death by the haughty hearts of men, but you sustained His life, as you do our own. If we but set our hearts on serving you and the least of our brothers, if we but keep our arms around those you place in our care – if we but die with your Son and in His love, with Him we shall rise again. O LORD, let arrogance and pride find no place in our lives. Let us not be tortured by selfish ambition or torture others because of our impatience with you and your holy will. If we fight against your goodness, allowing our passions to rule us, what shall we find but death to our souls and blindness to your glory among us? Your Son let us but follow, even on the path to crucifixion, and your protection will be with us all our days. Your arms you will keep around us, embracing us as your own dear Child. In peace we shall remain.

(1Cor.12:31-13:13; Ps.33:2-5,12,22; Lk.7:31-35) "We piped you a tune but you did not dance; we sang you a dirge but you did not wail." "Like children squatting in the city squares and calling to their playmates," seeking to have them comply with their own selfish will, so are "the men of today" according to our Lord. And so is their song not "a noisy gong"? Do they not lack of love? Could they be more "rude," more impatient and unkind, than to declare of John the Baptizer, "He is mad!" and of the Son of Man, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard"? Could they any more "rejoice in what is wrong," utterly shutting out the truth? And why? Why is it they do so lack of love? Why are they so ungodly? Is it not that they fail to realize and state with the Apostle Paul: "Our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect"? Is it not because they trust in their own minds that they do not come to the wisdom of God? And what is "God's wisdom"? It is what Paul speaks of so well today: God is love, and without God we are worth nothing. Yes, God is love. Love is the heart of the Law even as God is the heart of the Law, and without the heart the body is useless. But knowing God is love, hearing it repeated over and over, is not sufficient for our salvation. Certainly, "of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full." The Lord ever pours forth His grace, His love upon all His creatures – but how do we come to have that love, how do we come to accept it? Again, the key is in Paul's statement, "My knowledge is imperfect now." It is in understanding that, even though "we put childish ways aside," yet "we see indistinctly." It is in the realization that we are not God, that we need God and His love; in a word, it is in repentance. Genuine repentance is the attitude that brings us to the love of God. And the need for it is constant! I think there is a kind of divine equation to our relationship with the Lord: the more we recognize our misery, the more He shares His mercy; the more we acknowledge our lack of His wisdom and love, the more He fills our desire for them. Marvelous is the justice of God! Brothers and sisters, "give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant His praises." It is ours to "speak with human tongues and angelic as well"; we must employ "the gift of prophecy," "feed the poor," and be ready to "hand over [our] body to be burned." But all we do must be driven by His will, must be founded in His love. Our song must be set in His holy key and reflect His eternal harmony, or we have nothing to fill our emptiness. ******* O LORD, let us accept your Word and your way; let us live in your love and praise you all the day. YHWH, if we have not love, what good are we, for then we are not of you? If we are proud what can we be but condemned for our anger and judgment? If we seek to control you, where can such foolishness lead us but to separation from you and your love; and so, what shall we do but die in emptiness? O LORD, what fools we are to trust in our own knowledge, in our own ways, when you lay the way to Heaven before us. You send your Son to lead us home, and we tell Him He knows not of what He speaks; we seek even to instruct Him of the way He should better walk. And so to what utter foolishness does our knowledge lead – what blindness is upon our souls! We must love as you love, as your Son has shown us, dearest LORD. Patient and kind make us this day, humble before you that we might see how much we need you to find our way. To your kingdom let us come, praising you for your glory, living in your unending love.

(Is.50:5-9a; Ps.116:1-6,8-9; Jas.2:14-18; Mk.8:27-35) "I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living." A simple enough statement made by our psalmist today, or so it seems. For what does it mean to walk with Jesus along the way of the Almighty God? What does such travel entail? Is it but to impart a word of peace and blessing to those in need, and continue merrily along? Is it but to say, "I have faith in God"? Words alone will not get us where we expect to be; we must walk in the way of the Lord, and to walk means to work. And what is this work with which faith cannot dispense; what does it entail? It could not be more succinctly stated than it is by Jesus to the crowds and His disciples in today's gospel: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." It is in the Lord's steps we must walk, and, yes, those steps lead inevitably to crucifixion. This cannot be avoided. Do you not hear the Lord's rebuke of Peter? Then how can you begin to explicate a life in Christ without His cross fixed firmly upon your shoulder? How can you think that "the land of the living" may be found by easy means? It cannot. Listen to the words of the Servant spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard." This and more the Lord did willingly to reveal the way you must walk – this all the children of Israel, all God's holy ones, take upon themselves all for the sake of the Gospel. But lest you lose heart in the face of all you must undergo, all the suffering you must accept to gain the kingdom, let me tell you something else. All those who take up the cross say also with the Servant, "He is near who upholds my right." Do you hear what He says? "The Lord God is my help"! Do you understand its significance? We are with Christ and Christ is with God and so none of the blows of this world can hurt us. Indeed, they do not touch us, for it is Jesus who suffers all these blows for our sake. Though the cords may lacerate our skin, they cannot approach our soul, for the Lord indeed takes from us all "distress and sorrow" and saves our very lives. Thus the psalmist sings, "He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling." For He in whose sight we live our lives has already endured all evil, and now preserves us from its clutches. And so in this cross which seems so dark and foreboding, there is ultimate joy. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Weightless Crucifixion" from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, help us to lose our lives for the sake of the Gospel; if we take up our cross, you will certainly defend us, and bring us to everlasting life. YHWH, your work accomplish in us; the path of your Son let us walk. If we walk with you unto the Cross, we shall walk with you in Heaven. If from the Cross we turn, where shall we find our salvation? It is in suffering for the sake of the kingdom we find our freedom – let us lose our lives for you and your Son's Gospel. We must not think as men do, dear LORD, but as your Son instructs. If we wish to come to you, we cannot follow the way of the world. You are in Heaven and if to Heaven we wish to come then die we must to this empty life. Let not the darkness of this place encompass us, let it not touch our hearts, but let us take our refuge in the death of your Son and we shall be raised from the nether world. Buffets and spitting may be our fate in this life, but if we endure all with faith in you, with your Son we will be made strong, and be justified in His Day.

(1Cor.6:1-11; Ps.149:1-6,9; Lk.6:12-19) "You have been washed, consecrated, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Yes, "power went out from Him which cured all." And as all were "healed of their diseases" and "those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured" by His touch, so we, too, are made whole in His sight; so we now become His holy children of light. For "the unholy will not fall heir to the kingdom of God," and His kingdom being the desire of our hearts, we come with "the whole crowd… trying to touch Him," trying to reach His presence upon the mountain of God. And He calls His apostles; He selects the Twelve. And the power to teach and to heal He bestows upon them and upon their descendants. His wisdom and His grace He imparts upon those to whom His Father leads Him; and this same power rests upon all those baptized in His name into His Spirit. And so, as these Twelve who are the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem sit in judgment of the twelve tribes of Israel, so it is that the redeemed of the Lord are, as Paul tells us, "to judge angels." Yes, "the believers will judge the world." This power which is the Lord's alone He gives to all in the world to come, for all are to be infused with His wisdom, and His love. And so are we not therefore "up to deciding everyday affairs"? "If the judgment of the world is to be [ours], are we to be thought unworthy of judging in minor matters?" And not only in cases "between one member of the Church and another," but in all the details of our lives. If we are to judge with the wisdom and grace of God in heaven, we must here be able to see clearly the right from the wrong, or we have not His Spirit upon us – or we stand in opposition to His Truth and to His Church. "Do not deceive yourselves: no fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites, thieves, misers, or drunkards, no slanderers or robbers will inherit God's kingdom." If your conscience tells you otherwise and you do these things or fail to condemn these things, you are sadly misinformed; and rather than judge the nations with the Lord and His apostles, you shall be judged by them. Come only unto His Word, brothers and sisters; come only unto His Hand. And you shall be cleansed of all evil and be made able to stand here in this world as in His kingdom. And you shall sing His "praise in the assembly of the faithful" and with them "exult in glory" before your "maker" and "king." "This is the glory of all His faithful"; His holy song is sung by all the redeemed. ******* O LORD, your power is upon your apostles and all your holy people; for this grace let us praise your NAME. YHWH, who can judge but those who are like you, those who are holy, those washed clean in the blood of your Son with the power of your Spirit upon them? No sinner can judge, for no sinner can see; he is blinded by his sin and immersed in selfishness, and so, how can he be just? O LORD, anoint us as you have the apostles, with your Spirit, with your blessing, with the blood of your Son. Let healing graces pour forth from our souls as we walk the way He has shown. Then all shall rejoice at His coming, all shall exult in your glory, as all are judged fairly in your sight. We are but poor creatures, LORD, and yet by your grace you make us as yourself, you call us to you… even to judge angels with you. Certainly it is never we who judge but you; we can only give our wills over to you and allow you to work for our good. For only you are good, and so only by you are we made good and able to do anything at all. Let us be your faithful disciples even this day.

(Is.35:4-7a; Ps.146:2,6-10; Jas.2:1-5; Mk.7:31-37) "He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." The Lord makes all whole. He "sets captives free" from all their afflictions as He redeems us from all our sin. "Here is your God, He comes with vindication; with divine recompense He comes to save you." This is He who "has done all things well"; this is the Lord Jesus Christ. "And immediately the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly." By a word: "'Ephphatha!' – that is, 'Be opened!'" the deaf mute is healed by Jesus, causing all to be "exceedingly astonished." And in their astonishment their eyes are opened, for "the Lord gives sight to the blind." And so He who sustains "the fatherless and the widow" and "gives food to the hungry" stands before the eyes of all now; and so indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared… Then the tongue of the dumb will sing." And so streams "burst forth in the desert" and "the lame leap like a stag," for He comes – He comes to heal all nations. Brothers and sisters, God chose "those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He promised to those who love Him." He chose the blind; He chose the lame; He chose the deaf and the mute – He chose the hungry and oppressed. He chose you and me in all our sin, in all our weakness before Him, and came to release us from all fear. Making no distinction except to favor the soul who thirsts for Him, He came bringing "springs of water." And these waters heal. And these waters set us free. And these waters remove our "shabby clothes" and don us "with gold rings and fine clothes" spun by the hand of God. Brothers and sisters, "adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." For He is glorious indeed, and coming into His assembly with all your imperfections purged from your soul, you shall know such glory and not be able to withhold yourself from proclaiming such glory. Yes, you shall be one with "the Lord [who] shall reign forever." He shall be "your God, O Zion, through all generations," and with tongue loosened and renewed you shall sing "Alleluia" to the Lord forevermore. Know now His power upon you. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder" (2nd half) from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, open our ears that we might hear your voice and follow in your way. YHWH, you chose the poor to inherit your kingdom. The deaf, the blind, the lame – to these you bring your healing touch. You come to those who recognize their need for you and take them to yourself. In your Son you fulfill your will for the good of all who desire you. For this we can but praise you. O LORD God, you keep faith forever, you eternally offer forth love to us, the rivers of grace known in the work of Jesus. You can but love us; you can but desire our good. For you are all good, you are all love, and so you look with pity upon those in need, upon fallen man so separated from your love. O may we all be cleansed of our sin! O may we all be made whole in your sight! Let the touch of your Son be upon us, dear LORD, that we might sing of your glory forever. O let our hearts be open to your love!

(Dt.4:1-2,6-8; Ps.15:1-5; Jas.1:17-18,21b-22,27; Mk.7:1-8,14-15,21-23) "Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls." Welcome it, yes, and "be doers of the word and not hearers only." For how else shall you show that the word of God is planted in you except that you bear fruit? All that is planted well indeed grows and bears fruit in the light of God. Brothers and sisters, God "willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits." "What great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law?" Indeed the Law of God is whole, the Law of God is perfect – the Law of God gives life. For this reason Moses instructs the people: "You shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it," for the Law is holy as He, and keeping it we prove ourselves to be so holy; keeping it we cannot but "give evidence of [our] wisdom and intelligence to the nations." Yes, with the Lord "there is no alteration or shadow caused by change." His light is perfect, and His light is eternal, and we must be children of His holy light. But what of those for whom the washing of hands has become more important than keeping the commandments of God? What about those over whom Isaiah prophesies: "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me"? Woe to these, for they have not the word of truth planted in them and so only evil things "come out from within," and thereby they are defiled. Oh may the Lord never pronounce over our souls: "In vain do they worship me"! Oh let us never be producers of the evils of this world! "Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights," and he "who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue" knows the gifts of the Creator and walks in His holy light. No "great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon Him." For His truth is indeed within us and this word comes straight to His ear. The beat of our hearts is known to our God as we worship in spirit and in truth. The only food that saves souls is laid upon our table. The Word of God we consume and so are made His children, caring for "orphans and widows in their affliction" and keeping ourselves "unstained by the world." Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "What Is In Your Heart" from Remove the Mask of Lies, second album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, if we walk according to your Word, we shall be saved. YHWH, your Word you have planted within us and so call us to follow in your way. Your Law comes to our ears that we might observe your commandments and so have life. But if we do not welcome the Word you give, if we do not do as we are commanded, we shall be empty vessels in which corruption may find a home. O LORD, let us walk blamelessly before you, cherishing the truth in our hearts and guarding our tongues from all evil. You give us the grace to approach perfection; you are close to us when we call upon you, when you and your glory are our desire. May we be innocent of all sin, our hands clean from all defilement, and we shall be blessed all our days. Let your Word live in us and grow in us, dear God. Let there be no room in us for greed or deceit or any of the wickedness known to man. With our very lives let us honor you – O let us be truly wise!