4th Sunday after Pentecost
June 25, 2023
Psalm 69: 8-20, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39
Opening Prayer: (Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion)
God of the covenant, your compassion reaches beyond the mere making and keeping of promises. Teach us to listen to one another with your heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen.
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart….
If we stop for a moment and think about that brief phrase…, Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart….what is it saying to us that we haven’t already heard before…what is it trying to teach us about listening…about our prayers…about our faith and trust?...especially in those times in our lives… that we just don’t get it…those times, when loved ones are hurting…or suffering with health issues…or those times in our lives, when we are struggling to understand the divisions and conflicts that seem to be present in so many aspects of our daily lives: in our families, our church families, our communities, and worldwide… and perhaps those times that we wrestle with ways to make peace with one another, and within ourselves, looking for a way forward, that speaks to us from a place of hope, faith, love and trust…
I think the key phrase in this particular prayer is …“with your heart… meaning the heart of God…through the lens of Jesus Christ and through the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit….
A prayer that can help us turn our attention to listening to each other, in a deeper context, below the surface of our words and our own thoughts, from the center of our hearts, through the lens of Jesus Christ, and through the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit…
Today’s scriptures, and surely other scriptures, at times, often include some difficult verses and words to make sense of…Jesus doesn’t usually mince his words...it takes a lot of stretching of our minds, our hearts, and perhaps lots of discussion among others to begin to make sense of what is being said…what the meaning may be…what it may have to do with you or I…
There is often a lot of tension between what we hear, what the other person hears…and how we approach the difficult task of trying to come to some sense of assurance and consensus, and attempt to verbalize what it is we believe....Often times, it can feel as if we are speaking entirely different languages…Even though we are reading the same set of scriptures, in the same room with one another, and maybe, even with the same people you gather together with each week….there are still a myriad of ways the scriptures, the living word of God, will speak to us…
The same holds true, when we are dealing with human conflicts and uncertainties among ourselves, in our families, churches, work place or civic life…there are a variety of ways that people hear the same news about the challenges and divisions all around us…yet the ability to come to any consensus or understanding on the various issues and how to address them...is certainly no easy task…
There are a variety of “backstories” that come into play, and often cause great conflicts when people become engaged in the work of peace, justice, and reconciliation…
We’ve been reviewing the 5 Marks of Mission…as adapted by Bishop Mark and presented at our annual diocesan convention this past fall, and in St Peter’s annual pledge campaign for 2023…
This week, we are touching briefly on the 4th Mark of Mission: Transform…. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.
And more specifically, on this 4th Mark of Mission, as adapted by Bishop Mark in his call to the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska:
I call on all Episcopalians in Alaska to participate in the work of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Where do you see Jesus and his love being wounded? Where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation? Disciples make peace.
Let’s take a look at this week’s bulletin insert, that has a list of just a few organizations for you to check out to help you learn and better understand some of the ways that we can join with others in a commitment to participate in this lifelong, difficult work of peace, justice and reconciliation… I hope you will choose one to explore further…
As I read the names of each of these and a little bit about their mission…I will pause afterwards… and then invite you to pray these words with me: Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
As baptized Christians, we are called to participate in the
work of peace, justice, and reconciliation
Resolution Supporting: The Episcopal Church’s Truth Telling about Indigenous Boarding Schools
In this work of discovery and truth-telling about our connections to Indigenous Boarding schools, where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing
In this work of dismantling racism, where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
In this work of ending hunger in our time: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Episcopal Migration Ministries
In this work of welcoming and advocating for refugees: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Episcopal Church: Various Ministries/Advocacy Resources
In this work of evangelism, racial reconciliation and creation care ministries: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Alaska Correctional Ministries
. In this work of proclaiming God’s redemptive and unfailing love to Alaska’s inmates, and supporting re-entry programs in our communities: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church
In this work of serving those affected by addiction who have lost their health and freedom: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Bishops United Against Gun Violence
In this work of addressing gun violence through public liturgy, spiritual support, sound teaching, and persistent advocacy: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
In this work of preventing substance misuse among youth, young adults, and over time, older adults: where can you, working with others, be a bridge to reconciliation?
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
As followers in the way of Christ, the way of love and peace and justice and reconciliation that Jesus teaches us …we are called to be a part of this holy and life-transformational work in our communities…
Following Jesus in the Way of Love, doesn’t mean we will find any easy answers or solutions to life’s greatest challenges and conflicts…but by striving to listen to one another through the heart of God, through the lens of Jesus Christ, and through the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit, we will be strengthened and guided in this work of peace, justice, and reconciliation that will transform people’s lives and communities into a beloved home where all are welcomed, loved and valued as the person God created them to be.
Teach us, O God, to listen to one another with your heart…
Let us pray:
Closing prayer/Hymn: (LEVS 249) Hear Our Prayer, O Lord
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord;
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.
Rev Julie Platson
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, Sitka, Alaska