Palm Sunday

April 14 - Palm Sunday

“I wonder what was at work in the mind of Jesus of Nazareth as he jogged along on the back of that faithful donkey. 


Perhaps his mind was far away to the scenes of his childhood, feeling the sawdust between his toes in his father’s shop. He may have been remembering the high holy days in the synagogue with his whole body quickened by the echo of the ram’s horn. 


Or perhaps he was thinking of his mother, how deeply he loved her and how he wished that there had not been laid upon him this Great Necessity that sent him out on to the open road to proclaim the Truth, leaving her side forever.


It may be that he lived all over again that high moment on the Sabbath when he was handed the scroll and he unrolled it to the great passage from Isaiah, ‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach good news to the poor.’ 


I wonder what was moving through the mind of the Master as he jogged along on the back of that faithful donkey.”


Palm Sunday April 11th, 1976 St John The Divine
(Written by Howard Thurman - He was installed as the Honorary Cannon at St John on this day)

The Liturgy of the Palms


God is about to do a new thing - 5 Lent

5 Lent/Year C

April 7, 2019

Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8

 

Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 126) written by Rev. Penny L. Lowe
Holy God, the world in which we live is as terrifying as it is wonderful. 
We need Jesus as much today as in times of old. 
Many sow in tears, and go out weeping. 
Replenish our lands, fill our hearts with gladness, restore our faith in you and each other, wipe away the tears of despair. 
As we gather today, we tilt an ear to listen close. 
Let the voice of your angel fill our minds with new understandings. 
We are waiting for you. Speak to us today. Amen. 

Every time we pause to read or listen to the scriptures, we have an opportunity to learn something new. Every time we pause to sing together, we have an opportunity to hear something new. Every time we pause to pray with one another, we have an opportunity to feel something new. Every time we pause to gather here in church, we have an opportunity to rejoice in seeing old friends and making new friends. Every time we pause to share a meal together, we have an opportunity to smell and taste something new.

Every time, we choose to pause…we make room in our hearts and in our minds…to hear the Good News of God’s extravagant love being poured out for us…we make room in our hearts and in our minds to hear God speaking to us today:

Thus says, the Lord, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

We are one week away, from the beginning of Holy Week…Jesus’ final week, of his earthly life…a journey that will lead to his death on the cross of Good Friday….But that new thing, he has been teaching his followers and all those who have been listening….is about to spring forth…on the third day…hold on to that vision…hold on to that hope…

Jesus has not shied away from telling his listeners and followers that the day was drawing close for the time of his death…the time in which the scriptures will be fulfilled in their hearing….through his death and resurrection.

But no matter how many times he has tried to tell them that he would be leaving them, that they would not always have him with them… no matter how many miracles he performed, or no matter how many glorious signs he revealed to them that he is the one that they have been waiting for, the Messiah, the Savior of the world…many of his followers have still failed to grasp that this Savior, this Messiah, is about to endure a terrible death, he is about to sacrifice his own life, for the salvation of all God’s people…and set them free through the unconditional, sacrificial, extravagant love…that will be poured out for them and us, in the person of Jesus Christ….

This Savior, this Messiah, is about to do a new thing… hold on to that vision…hold on to that hope…

But, first…we must journey to the cross with him…we must face the truth of his death, so that we may rise with him, into a new life…

In today’s gospel reading…the truth of his impending death…seems to be drawing near…perhaps too close for some of those gathered for the dinner party.

Just think for a moment…it wasn’t too long ago, that we heard the story about Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus…all were grieving his death…people were coming to console Martha and Mary. We heard how deeply disturbed Jesus was from the news of Lazarus’ death and how He wept. We heard that Lazarus had been dead four days, so there was quite a stench. This story does end with good news with Jesus raising Lazarus to life again… unbinding him, and letting him go.

So…I can imagine….how uncomfortable the setting of this dinner party might have been…perhaps some of the emotions, and the smells associated with Lazarus’ death were still lingering in the air….

Here is Jesus, with some of the very same people, those he loved dearly, and those who loved him dearly, who just a short time ago, came face to face with death. Here, they are gathered together this evening… to face death, once again….Jesus’ death…just days away…

Only this time, not everyone is openly acknowledging that death is in the air. But, perhaps it’s Judas’ awareness that causes him to react as he did when Mary openly acknowledges Jesus’ impending death, by using a costly perfume made of pure nard, an oil used for the burial of the dead, to anoint Jesus’ feet and wipe them with her hair. And I can only imagine, that perhaps as everyone watched how Judas reacted to Mary’s lavish outpouring of love….that they too…might have been stirred up , even for a brief moment…wondering….is the smell of death in the air?

Mary went where no-one else was ready to go, yet. She allowed herself to draw intimately close to death’s door. She boldly stepped forward, to offer her extravagant gift of love…to acknowledge Jesus, perhaps thank Jesus, perhaps honor Jesus, perhaps assure him that her love will go with him to the cross and beyond, and perhaps she turned her face once again towards Jesus, to affirm….that yes….she loves him…yes…she believes in him…yes…she will trust in him…and yes…she will dare to continue to hope in him …

She puts aside any doubts or worries or fears about Jesus’ death and she boldly offers her gift of extravagant love, at his feet…the feet that will journey to the cross and bear the weight of the world’s sins….

This Savior, this Messiah, is about to do a new thing… hold on to that vision…hold on to that hope…

From the moment Mary opened the door to welcome Jesus into to the home for the dinner party…she noticed something….

 
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver – (Pg 156, Mary’s extravagant love) 

He looks so tired. The face she loves is lined and drawn as she meets him at the door. His forehead is troubled, but when he sees her, the Master’s eyes soften. He makes his way through the crowded foyer and takes her hands.

“Mary…”

“I’m glad you’re here, Lord” she says. “It’s been too long.” His travels have taken him away from Jerusalem lately, Away from the temple courts. Away from the rumored price upon his head.

“I worry for you,” Mary whispers.

Jesus smiles and slowly shakes his head. “Be anxious for nothing, dear Mary. My life is in the Father’s hands.” His words are tender, yet intense; as though they hold hidden truth. A shiver runs down her spine as they walk toward the living room.

It’s clear this visit will be nothing like the one so many months ago. Something is wrong. And yet, somehow, Mary senses something so right. It goes against logic. She can see their Master’s weariness. The men are clearly worried and befuddled. And yet Mary feels a tremor within, like a single strum upon a stringed instrument. Like hope…or is it joy?

There is no sound, only an awaiting. As though all of heaven is standing on tiptoe listening for the song. As if all of eternity has been gathering momentum for this week…for this journey…for this Man…

This Man, Jesus Christ… is about to do a new thing… hold on to that vision…hold on to that hope…

I believe Mary was able to catch a glimpse of that vision and that hope, which enabled her to boldly step forward…She had spent much time throughout her life, pausing to just be with Jesus…learning from him, being assured by him, loving him…her heart was drawn closer to him, day after day….

May we be inspired by her example…taking time to pause to be in the presence of Christ…so that our hearts may draw closer and closer to him….so that even in times of our lives when the world feels as terrifying as it feels wonderful…we can hold on to the vision and the hope…that God is about to do a new thing!

 

Voices Found - #94 In boldness, look to God

4          In boldness, love, nor count the cost.

            Confront the world’s harsh stare:

            like one who washed the feet of Christ,

            and wiped them with her hair,

            poured perfume to anoint her Lord,

            and left love’s fragrance there.

 

 

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

4 Lent Year C Sermon

Lent 4C 2019-03-31

(written by Kit Allgood-Mellema)

Today’s gospel reading is one of a series of parables found in Luke, beginning in chapter 13 and

continuing through chapter 16. What is a parable? It’s a short and simple story used to illustrate

a truth. A parable’s meaning may not be stated, but it is intended to be fairly obvious. We often

aren’t told the end result – remember last week’s parable of the fig tree? Did it produce fruit

the following year? I think of a parable as a piece of paper with only a few lines and shapes

drawn on it; as I listen, I’m given a box of colored pencils and invited to connect the lines and

shapes, add the color and complete the picture.

The parable we heard today is one of the best-known, called the Prodigal Son. First let me say

that, given the chance, I’d re-name this parable. I’ll share it with you in a bit. Jesus told this

parable in response to Pharisees grumbling about him eating with sinners. The story is about a

man who had two sons. Here’s where I started to connect some of the lines and shapes, and

take a different look at the story. I guessed this man was fairly wealthy, with land, livestock,

servants, and enough money to give his sons. This was a family, so I included a mother, a

woman who was wise and adept at taking care of a busy household. She and her husband were

deeply in love with each other, a relationship that was the foundation of the family life. They

both loved and cherished their sons.

The two sons were very different – the older son was always serious, introverted and quiet,

intelligent, loyal to his family and hardworking; the younger was smart, quick, happy-go-lucky

and outgoing, easily distracted. He played pranks on his brother, who tolerated his antics as he

kept an eye on him. As different as the boys were, there was true affection between them.

No one was surprised when younger brother came to his father asking for his inheritance. That

night, father and mother quietly agreed it was risky to give it to him, but they reminded

themselves they loved the young man and had raised him well, and so it was done. A few days

later, the boy left after embracing his mother and kissing his father, while his older brother

watched from the fields, nodding and waving as the boy strode away.

And so the waiting began. The entire household felt the change. As days turned into weeks,

occasionally a traveler would stop by with cautious news – I saw your boy a few weeks ago. He

looks all right and sends his best. Older brother would shake his head and turn away as the

parents exchanged glances. Mother spent hours in prayer; father had many sleepless nights as

he struggled between anger and worry. Weeks turned into months, and the news dwindled

until one day a traveler, in answer to father’s questions, reluctantly admitted he had seen

younger son, poor, starving and ill, working as a swineherd, an unthinkable job for a Jew. That

night, while mother tearfully prayed and reminded the distraught father they loved their son

and had raised him well, the older son sat aside, nursing his anger at the grief his brother had

brought on the family, and aching inside at the loss of his friend.

Time moved on. There was no further word. Everyone felt the weight of the days. Mother held

the household together, and spent time with older brother. Older brother immersed himself in

work while father went through his days, sometimes supervising in the fields, but usually sitting

under the tree and staring absent-mindedly in the distance. On one of those days, he saw a

traveler approach, and began to call to mother to prepare a place for a guest, when he took

another look. He pulled himself up, and while the whole household stared in amazement,

father broke into a run toward the road, returning in a few moments with tears streaming

down his face and his arms wrapped around a thin, dirty, barely clothed young man, hardly

recognizable as the younger son. After he had composed himself, father and mother helped the

servants wash and clothe their son while a feast was prepared. In his exhausted state, the boy

was confused by the welcome; he had expected to be punished and sent away. But his father

had brushed away his confession, and here he was in the arms of his loving family.

During the feast, mother slipped out, looking for older brother. But father had already found

him and was listening quietly to his son as he poured out his anger, fears and grief. Father

lovingly embraced him, and looking at him with compassion, reminded older son that his love

for him had only grown deeper over the time they had been together. He begged him to join

the celebration, reminding him this was ‘his brother’ whom he had always loved.

We don’t know the end of the parable, but I believe over time, the entire family reconciled as

they began life together anew. What else could they do? That was their foundation, it was what

they were raised with and knew deep in their hearts.

I think that’s what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees and to us with this story: your foundation

is love. That’s what you see me doing right now – loving the ones who need it most. That’s

what you’ve been raised on, and it’s always been there for you to see and share. No matter

what you do, how far away you stray, or how long you wander, God is waiting to shower you

with extravagant love, whether you are angry or lost or afraid, whether or not you think you are

worth it. God will always have arms of love stretched out, showing us how we are to embrace

all our lost and wounded sisters and brothers in love.

What would I call this parable? The Parable of Our Loving Family. Like us, this was indeed a

family grounded in love.

Thanks be to God.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32


Pray together

March 18

This memory came up today on my facebook feed from last year.

My husband and I welcomed Omar into our family last year when we hosted him as an Exchange student.

He is from Cairo, Egypt. He is faithful and passionate about his Muslim religion practices and prayer life.

This photo was from a presentation he gave at St Peter's about his religious beliefs and prayer practices. (I can’t figure out how to post the photo here)

Those of us in attendance that day, were blessed beyond measure, to spend time that afternoon, listening and asking questions.

I am reminded of an elder (at St Peter's) words of invitation to The Lord's Prayer at the St Simeon and St Anna Morning Prayer Service every Friday:

"Shall we pray together?"

International Women's Day

Prayer for International Women's Day

(By: Education for Justice)

Women are a reflection of the glory of God. Today we honor the women of all times and all places:

Women of courage.
Women of hope.

Women suffering
Women mourning.
Women living fully.
Women experiencing joy.
Women delighting in life.

Women knowing the interconnectedness of the human family.
Women honoring the sacredness of the relational, the affective.

Women quietly tending the garden of human flourishing. 
Women boldly leading the transformation of unjust global structures.

Women seeking Wisdom. 
Women sharing Wisdom.

Women receiving Love.
Women giving Love.

Women: life-giving.
Women: the image of God.

Loving God, we celebrate your faithfulness and love. On this day we commit ourselves to the promotion of the full humanity of all women everywhere. We know that whatever denies, diminishes, or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God.

Help us to be faithful to your call to love.
Amen.

SERMON - LAST EPIPHANY - MARCH 3

Last Epiphany Year C

March 3, 2019

Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99;

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)

 

Sequence hymn (LEVS 115) -10am service

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Amen

When we turned the page to begin a new year on the church calendar on the first Sunday of Advent, we were invited to embark on a journey this year… to explore the ways the people of St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church are being called to live into our baptismal promises, by following in the Way of Jesus: The Way of Love, in our church, in our community, and in our world. I have been referring to a resource called, The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life, a framework of spiritual practices commended for use, by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

We began our year-long journey of being introduced to the various practices, during the seasons of Advent & Christmas, with exploring the practice of Turn… Turning towards Jesus… Pausing, listening and choosing to follow Jesus…in walking the Way of Love…

The 2nd practice we have explored throughout the season of Epiphany has been the practice of Learn. We were invited to Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life and teachings.

In this season of Epiphany, there were a variety of ways that people gathered here at St Peter’s to learn more about the scriptures, especially on Jesus’ life and teachings. On Mondays, scripture reflection time was held…a time for people to gather and discuss the upcoming Sunday scriptures. On Tuesday evenings, a group has been gathering to learn about Episcopal Beliefs and practices, in relationship to Jesus’ life and teachings. On Wednesday evenings, people have gathered for a Taize Service…a quiet, contemplative way of listening to the scriptures and teachings of Jesus’ life. On Thursdays, a group has gathered (and perhaps many of you at home) to read the entire book of Romans throughout Epiphany.

 On Fridays, those gathered for the St Simeon & St Anna Morning Prayer Service, read scriptures, and pray for the church, and especially for the young people and the children.

I know of many of you who explore the scriptures daily, through your own daily practices.

And of course here on Sundays, we are engaged in learning about Jesus’ life through our scripture readings, music, and prayer, and our time together.

The children gather for Sunday school a couple of Sundays a month to explore the scriptures and the teachings of Jesus.

So… what have we learned about Jesus’ life and teachings in this season of Epiphany?

(At the 10am service….I’m going to ask the children gathered this morning…to walk with me around the church as we look back on our journey throughout the season of Epiphany…they will follow along with a matching book that has weekly coloring page to match the picture/lessons learned with the picture on the wall)

On Sunday, Jan 6 – Epiphany Sunday…we heard the story of the three wise men following a star, following a light that led them to the place where Jesus, the Messiah, the Light of the World, had been born. We came face to face with the glorious light of God revealed to us, in Jesus, in the birth of a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

On Jan 13, the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany, we learned about Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan… and about when He was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." We renewed our own baptismal covenants on that day, marking a new beginning of our life in Christ, a life striving to Walk in the Way of Love, that Christ has taught us and shown us.

On Jan 20, the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Deacon Kathryn shared a sermon about the Miracle of the Water into Wine scripture that was part of the Wedding Banquet story in the gospel of John that day…she highlighted the servants, those who were asked to help, and how they responded when they were told to “do whatever Jesus asks”.

ON Jan 27, the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, the day of our Annual Meeting, we explored the 1st  Corinthians scripture about how the church functions as the Body of the Christ...here in the church, in the community and in the world…we explored the ways, all of us, equipped with our diverse gifts, are called to share in building up the body of Christ…by following Jesus in Walking the Way of Love…We listened to the scriptures that told us about Jesus teaching in the synagogue, and how he read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah that spoke to what His mission was..The children at Sunday school that day created a beautiful book of prayers (from the BCP) for healing and support…a book to give to those who may be homebound or ill…

On Feb 4th, the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany…we continued with our reading of 1st Corinthians…exploring the words: But strive for the greater gifts… And I will show you a still more excellent way….

What is that more excellent way? The Way of Love…that Jesus has shown us…The Way of love that has the power to lift people up, when reality, life, will sometimes pull us down. (Michael Curry)

On Feb 10, the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany, we explored the scriptures in which Jesus calls his disciples to go fishing….fishing for people…to go out there to proclaim the good news, by sharing our own authentic faith story, with one another…from the place in our hearts, from where we have heard God’s voice and his call to us – that voice that speaks to each of us – wherever we are…

On Feb 17, the 6th Sunday after the Epiphany, we listened to the words of Jesus, as he began his sermon on the plain….teaching us, all of those who were listening…about blessings and woes…reminding us…that Blessings and Woes….are a part of all of our lives…sometimes we are hungry, sometimes we feel well fed…sometimes we laugh…sometimes we weep and cry… sometimes, it feels as if the world is against us…or on other days, we feel like the world is on our side…The good news that was summarized that Sunday, was that we are loved and blessed as we are.

On Feb 24, the 7th Sunday after Epiphany ...just last weekend… we heard more of Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of heaven, about the family of God,  from his sermon on the plain…they were very difficult teachings about loving our enemies, and forgiveness… Difficult, hard, uncomfortable…yes…but the good news I shared was that they need not keep us from striving to understand the live-giving ways of God, made known to us, through the love and witness of Jesus Christ.

 For this love is the greatest gift given to us... In Sunday school that day, the children learned other lessons about the kingdom of heaven…

one of which was the lesson about the Kingdom of heaven being like a precious pearl… And learned that in searching and finding the kingdom of heaven is a treasure worth more than anything anybody can imagine.

And finally, today is our last Sunday of the Epiphany Season, in which we have been focused on the practice of Learn…we have been reflecting on scriptures each week, that have helped us get to know more about who Jesus is, and how and why that matters to us, and to our lives now.

Our final lesson in the season of Epiphany, found in our gospel reading today, speaks about the Transfiguration.  The scriptures tell us that: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

From Weaving God’s Promises:

We call this {story} the transfiguration of Jesus, as if Jesus has been changed and suddenly becomes God. But this gospel is written from the disciples’ point of view. Jesus is not transformed. The change is not a change in Jesus. The change is in his disciples. They are now ready to see him as he is, in his glory.

Jesus is thus transformed, not by becoming who he is but by showing to his disciples who he in fact is and always was. They just hadn’t seen him before. Jesus has opened their eyes.

As we come to the end of this journey of learning about Jesus’ life and teachings, throughout Epiphany:

How have your eyes been opened?

How have the scriptures in this season helped you to see Jesus as He is and has always been?

 

And now what? What’s next?

A new beginning… a new season in the church year is about to begin…the season of Lent…

And, now…it is up to each one of us…to carry with us, within us, this glorious light of Jesus that we have seen, and all that we have come to learn and understand about Jesus throughout the season of Epiphany, into our next season of the church year which begins this week, on Ash Wednesday…

And I have a gift for everyone…to take home…to mark the days in our next journey together…our journey through the season of Lent…

This “Join the Journey Through Lent 2019 poster” has daily suggestions, questions, scripture and prayer prompts to reflect on in our season of Lent. You can color on it, read it alone or together, as a family…hang it on a wall in your home somewhere…But, use it…use it as a way to pray during this holy season of Lent…

Use it as a way to learn more about Jesus…in yet another season of His life and ours…

 

Closing Prayer/Hymn: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (#97/Maranatha Praise Book)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Amen.

 

 

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

 

 

 

 

SERMON: 7 Epiphany Year C

7 Epiphany Year C

Feb 24 2019

Genesis 45: 3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42;

1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38

 

Opening Prayer: (Renew Hymnal #91) Open Our Eyes, Lord

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen, open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. Amen.

I love this sequence hymn, (prayer) for its simplicity and directness…especially when it comes to trying to make sense of Jesus’ teachings and some of the other scriptures in the bible. Sometimes Jesus’ teachings sound poetic and lovely, and we have no trouble connecting with the message he is trying to get across to His listeners. But other times, his teachings are quite simple and direct…and not so lovely sounding…and they really don’t leave much wiggle room for interpretation. But, we as human beings, have some pretty strong minds and wills…so we are quite adept at filtering out what we think He is saying, and finding creative ways, to dismiss some of his more difficult teachings, as only pertaining to certain people, in certain times, and in certain places.

Our brain’s default, is often to “hear” and “see” what we already know…and feel comfortable with…So, I do think our challenge…in learning new things, considering and accepting new teachings…does call for us to pray to God, to open wide our eyes and our ears…and especially our hearts and our minds…to consider these uncomfortable teachings...these basic and direct teachings that Jesus is longing for us to understand.

IN today’s 1st reading from Genesis, we may shake our heads in disbelief, wondering, how in the world could Joseph ever return to his family, to his brothers who did the unthinkable, first plotting to kill him, but then decided instead to sell him into slavery… and the brothers also caused years of deep heartache and suffering for their father, lying to him and telling him that his son Joseph was likely killed by a wild animal. And how unthinkable, or impossible, that Joseph not only returned to his family, his brothers…but he forgave them…he chose to love them again…having been sent by God to return to them to save them from starvation and poverty…Imagine having to forgive and love and bless the very people who abandoned you and cut you off from your livelihood? Difficult, very difficult to imagine…yet with the love of God poured into Joseph’s heart….we saw how that was possible…Joseph had mercy upon his brothers, forgave them, making room for love to reconcile and heal their family.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in today’s gospel is equally hard to digest. As if the Blessings and the Woes that Jesus spoke about last week were not confusing enough. Today, Jesus continues with his Sermon on the Plain when he was speaking to the crowds gathered…the apostles, his disciples, and many others who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases

This time, he is tackling the very uncomfortable topic about loving your enemies, and forgiveness…

Lets take a look at Jesus’ words in the gospel again…this time…I am going to ask you to repeat after me the words that we just heard a few moments ago….I ask that you listen to your own voice…and listen for how the Spirit is nudging you… I ask that we all listen to each other…all of our voices speaking together…and be aware of how the Spirit might be at work in all of us, seeking to unite us, and reconcile us to one another, our enemies, those we need to forgive, and our own need to be forgiven…

Luke (6:27-38)

(Follow along in your insert, and repeat each line after me)

Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Congregation repeat

If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

Congregation repeat

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Congregation repeat

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Congregation repeat

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Congregation repeat

 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Congregation repeat

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Congregation repeat

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.

Congregation repeat

Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Congregation repeat

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Congregation repeat

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Congregation repeat

Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.

Congregation repeat

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

 Congregation repeat

These are some pretty basic and direct words from Jesus today. Difficult to digest. Hard to make sense of. Easier said, than done.

Difficult, hard, uncomfortable…yes…but they need not keep us from striving to understand the live-giving ways of God, made known to us, through the love and witness of Jesus Christ. For this love is the greatest gift given to us...May our hearts be opened to receive this gift and trust in its power to heal and transform the most difficult moments when we are called to love our enemies and to forgive those who have caused us or others great suffering …

The psalmist tells us today: put your trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, be still before the Lord…and wait patiently for him…If nothing makes sense today…don’t give up…

Begin again tomorrow morning, every morning… put your trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, be still before the Lord…and wait patiently for him…for God’s mercies are new every morning… begin again with asking God to open your ears, eyes, hearts and minds to hear what the Spirit is trying to teach you…about the saving power of God’s love…

And perhaps, a good place to start, tomorrow morning…is to read this scripture once again…Read it slowly, line by line…write down some things that come to mind after each verse…let God’s Word work on you, not only, tomorrow, but throughout the week…allow it to inspire in you…a path forward….in walking the Way of Love…that Jesus is teaching us…

One last offering I commend to you today is another way to consider the teachings in today’s scripture…The practice of the Daily Examen…

This practice is a great daily discipline, most often used at the end of the day, in the evening...but it can be especially helpful, I think…to help us be honest with ourselves when it comes to the uncomfortable and difficult teachings of Jesus today, about loving our enemies, and forgiving others..

 

The Examen is a method of reviewing your day in the presence of

God. It’s actually an attitude more than a method, a time set aside

for thankful reflection on where God is in your everyday life. It has

five steps, which most people take more or less in order.

Here it is in a nutshell:

THE EXAMEN

Ask God for light.

I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.

Give thanks.

The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.

Review the day.

I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.

Face your shortcomings.

I face up to what is wrong—in my life and in me.

Look toward the day to come.

I ask where I need God in the day to come.

Version of the Examen from A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer by Jim Manney © Loyola Press      www.ignatianspirituality.com

 

Ask God for light, Give thanks, Review the day, Face your shortcomings, Look toward the day to come.

 

I close in prayer and song this morning, with probably the most difficult and uncomfortable part of the Examen…to face up to our shortcomings….

Lift Every Voice and Sing II - #176 An Evening Prayer

1       If I have wounded any soul today,

          If I have caused one foot to go astray,

          If I have walked in my own willful way,

          Dear Lord, forgive!

         

2       If I have uttered idle words or vain,

          If I have turned aside from want or pain,

          Lest I offend some other through the strain,

          Dear Lord, forgive!

         

3       If I have been perverse, or hard, or cold,

          If I have longed for shelter in the fold,

          When thou hast given me some fort to hold,

          Dear Lord, forgive!

         

4       Forgive the sins I have confessed to thee;

          Forgive the secret sins I do not see;

          O guide me, love me, and my keeper be.

          Dear Lord, forgive!

          Amen.

 

 

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

 

 

 

 

 

List of some Lent 2019 Resources

 

·        Living Well Through Lent 2019: Practicing Forgiveness with all your heart, soul, strength and mind - https://www.livingcompass.org/lent

 

·        Lent Madness – have fun while learning about the saints

https://www.lentmadness.org/

·        Lenten Meditations 2019 (Episcopal Relief & Development)

        https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/church-campaigns/lent

·        d365 - Devotionals 365 days a year - https://d365.org/

·        United Thank Offering Lenten Calendar

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/documents/uto_2019_lenten_calendar.pdf

 

·        Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent https://www.episcopalchurch.org/life-transformed

·        Church Next: Walk in Love, a 5-Course Curriculum with Scott Gunn and Melody Shobe

https://churchnextblog.wordpress.com/

 

FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

·        Building Faith - https://www.buildfaith.org/

·        Grow Christians - http://www.growchristians.org/

·        Lent in a Box

https://familyministrytools.org/2018/11/09/coming-in-mid-january/

BOOKS

·        A Resurrection Shaped Life: Dying and Rising on Planet Earth by Jake Owensby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1DP0ud5lU4

 

·        Living the Way of Love: A 40-Day Devotional, by Bea Sullivan

https://www.churchpublishing.org/livingthewayoflove