5th Sunday after Pentecost/ July 2, 2023
Psalm 89:1-4,15-18; Jeremiah 28:5-9; Matthew 10:40-42
Opening Prayer:
Open our hearts, O Lord: Give light to our eyes to see and know you in ourselves, and in our neighbors…May your light and loving spirit, unite us all, as we welcome one another, in your Holy Name. Amen (unknown author)
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
These past few weeks, we’ve been listening to the words from the gospel of Matthew…and we’ve been reviewing the 5 Marks of Mission (specifically Tend and transform the past 2 weeks).
We’ve been reading aloud and hopefully taking time to inwardly digest some of Jesus’ difficult teachings and instructions for his newly called disciples (and us) who he was sending out with a mission to proclaim God’s love and blessing upon all they would meet along the way…
Jesus has been walking with them, day by day…helping them to see that they too, would have the ability to 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…
And, as I mentioned in last week’s sermon…walking in the way of love, as Jesus has taught us, doesn’t mean it will be easy, as we inevitably will face challenges and conflicts with those we will encounter throughout our lives…But…as we strive to truly and deeply 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 all that we are called to do, to bring the kingdom of God, the love of God, the mercy of God, the justice of God, the healing presence of God, the peace of God, nearer to the hearts of those, who are often excluded, made to feel unworthy, unloved and not welcomed.
My heart is heavy this week, for all those who are feeling excluded, unworthy, unloved, unwelcome, and not valued as the person God created them to be.
Jesus’ instructions for us, have been simple, and yet – yes…can be challenging and complex and difficult to comprehend.…I know that…I struggle every day, too in striving to live in a way of love as Jesus has challenged us, and persisted with an unwavering hope by encouraging us to not give up on finding ways to love one another, welcome one another, and be reconciled to one another…
In all we are called to do and be…one day at a time…we must begin anew with every thought, every prayer, every action, by being grounded in the love and faithfulness of God, through the compassionate and merciful lens of Jesus Christ, and through the abiding love and welcoming Spirit, that can unite us all…
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
May it be so.
May all come to believe in this Love that welcomes all.
May the day come when we will all rejoice and sing together, in the words of our psalmist and hymn today:
Hymn: I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth will I make known,
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,
With my mouth will I make known,
Thy faithfulness to all generations,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
Rev Julie Platson
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, Sitka, AK