Accompaniment - Today's sermon - Oct 27

23 Pentecost/Year B – Oct 27, 2024

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Mark 46-52

“Accompaniment”

Opening Prayer:  Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I love the opening sentences from our collect today: Almighty and Everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity…I think it would be safe to assume, that most of us sitting here, at one time or another, throughout our lives, have prayed for at least one of these gifts, if not all of them….

The Gift of Faith: are there any among us, who have cried out to God, either silently or aloud…asking God to give us more faith? There has probably been more than one occasion when perhaps our faith seemed almost non-existent…or perhaps we were encouraged by another “to keep the faith”….whatever that is supposed to mean, in the face of loss after loss after loss…or perhaps there have been other moments that that we’ve told ourselves... “if only I had more faith, none of this would be happening”...

The Gift of Hope: Are there any among us, who have cried out to God, either silently or aloud…asking God to give us more hope? Perhaps we’ve been in need of “more hope” when a loved one was struggling with health issues? Perhaps we have cried out in desperation and in need of “more hope” when painful circumstances don’t seem to let up? Perhaps we cried out, with a deep sigh…asking for more hope…to believe that “all will be well”…

The Gift of Charity: Are there any among us, who have cried out to God, either silently or aloud…asking God to give us more charity? We probably didn’t use the word “charity”…but perhaps some of the other more relatable words for charity such as compassion, kindness, gentleness, mercifulness, goodness, empathy, sympathy, love, and generosity…..Have you ever cried out to ask God to help you have more compassion and understanding of the family member or neighbor who tests your patience? Or perhaps you have asked God to be more empathetic to your hurt and pain? Or perhaps you have asked God to reveal to you how to love your neighbor, especially the one you disagree with?

In our gospel reading today, we are given an example of someone, named Bartimaeus, who cries out to the Holy One, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” not only once…but a second time…believing with all of his being, that Jesus would hear his prayer plea to be seen and heard and be made well again. And, as we heard in the reading…Jesus did see him and hear him, and asked him what he wanted him to do for him.

The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

This was a big deal. Jesus acknowledged him when no one else would. The disciples were trying to silence the blind beggar, the outcast, the one on the margins. But Jesus chooses to respond to him, to listen to him, to strive to understand his needs, to acknowledge him and to help him see his belovedness in himself, too.  Bartimaeus, renewed in his faith and well-being, then chooses to follow Jesus on the way…excited to join Jesus in a new way of traveling and exploring the new landscape of living that Jesus was surely about to show him…a way of travel that embodies Jesus’ invitation to all of us, to walk in love with one another, as Jesus has taught us and shown us…

What about us today…

Will we cry out to Jesus, as Bartimaeus did, with a sense of urgency to Jesus…to open our eyes and ears to what is all around us…to open our eyes and ears to the people who are suffering among us…to open our eyes and ears to those around us who struggle with addiction and substance misuse issues, those who are victims of violence and abuse, those who are lonely and afraid, those whose voices are often silenced, or those whose belovedness is routinely questioned and judged because their life journeys look so much different than ours, their day to day life situation is different than ours.

Many among us are searching for some form of accompaniment, acceptance, and belonging…

I’m going to step aside now, so that Loyd can share his own thoughts on this week’s Walk in Love reflection on the theme of Accompaniment.

(LOYD PLATSON –Reflections on Accompaniment

At a recent Vestry meeting we began discussing the annual “in-gathering” set for October/ November. As we were discussing how to go about it, we talked about the “Walk In Love” approach with its 5 sequential components and how each of the Vestry members could take one of the components to talk or write a brief thought about for each week leading up to the actual in-gathering. I sat there waiting, hoping someone would take the first week’s topic. Fingers crossed, eyes closed, saying silent prayers, just hoping, and as God would have it (since he works in such mysterious ways), I ended up with the first topic, Accompaniment.

I had my own ideas as to what this meant. To accompany or go with someone, but I wanted to see what the dictionary had to say about it.

 It seems that accompaniment is often associated with music.

Meriam-Webster defines it as an instrumental or vocal part designed to support or complement a melody such as “She sang the song with a piano accompaniment” another dictionary had this definition: “a musical part that supports or partners a solo instrument, voice, or group.”

I also found that Accompaniment can be associated with food: such as food items served along with another food to enhance palatability OR “something that is supplementary to or complements another food. Such as "sugar snap peas make a delicious accompaniment for salmon.” 

Accompaniment can also be associated with clothes. The definition here is “an addition intended to give completeness or symmetry to something such as “that tie is a nice accompaniment to your new suit”

I thought all of these helped me see accompaniment a bit more clearly, but I wanted to understand more about what accompaniment has to do in human relationships and the church.

Recently, Julie and I watched a documentary called “Will and Harper” which, of all things, documents a road trip that Will Farrell of Saturday Night Live and Harper Steele (formerly known as Andrew Steele, a head writer for SNL) take after Harper notifies Will of her transition into becoming female (after 20 plus years of friendship). Not only did we get to see their travels together across the country, but we got a glimpse of their interactions and struggles as they grapple with their “new” relationship.

 I was reminded of some of the definitions from the dictionary such as to “support or compliment” or to give “completeness” to something (or someone).

 I was struck by this documentary in the way Will not only decided to go with Harper, but to be with Harper, to experience Harper and their new relationship, and therein lies the significant difference I was looking for in my understanding of accompaniment.

It got me thinking about going to church versus being the church, not only within these walls, but out in the larger community. How do we, on a daily basis “support and compliment” or give “completeness” to those we are traveling with, those whose life journeys look so much different than ours, those whose day to day life situation is different than ours, those who may cause us to feel uncomfortable, out of our comfort zone, and those searching for some form of accompaniment.)

I encourage you to ponder those questions around the theme of accompaniment in these next few days….and prayerfully discern how God might be calling you anew to be the church, the body of Christ, not only here inside the church walls, but also in the larger community this coming year.

Let us cry out to God to increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity, to guide us and empower us to choose to walk in love with God and our neighbors who are searching for accompaniment, acceptance, and belonging…

It is just one more step along the way that can help all of us to be healed and reconciled to one another, so that our communities, all of God’s children, can thrive and flourish in ways that we never thought were possible.

“From the old to the new, O God, keep us traveling along with you.”

Closing Prayer/Hymn: One more step along the world I go

(My Heart Sings Out #127)

1        One more step along the world I go, one more step along the world I go;

          from the old things to the new keep me traveling along with you:

                             and it’s from the old I travel to the new;

                             keep me traveling along with you.

2        Round the corner of the world I turn, more and more about the world I learn;

          all the new things that I see you’ll be looking at along with me:

          Refrain

3        As I travel through the bad and good, keep me traveling the way I should;

          where I see no way to go you’ll be telling me the way, I know:

          Refrain

4        Give me courage when the world is rough,

          keep me loving though the world is tough;

          leap and sing in all I do, keep me traveling a long with you:

          Refrain

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

An invitation to Walk in Love as Christ has loved us...

22 Pentecost/Year B – Walk in Love Stewardship Kick off Sunday Oct 20, 2024

Isaiah 53:4-12; Psalm 91:9-16; Mark 35-45

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons,  loving your neighbor as yourself?

I will, with God's help.

Opening Prayer: (WIL/TENS resources, adapted)

Creator God, as we begin our fall stewardship journey of Walking in Love with You and one another, may the gifts that we pledge in the coming weeks help us to honor the work you have given us to do, to serve You and one another, here in this place and in this time. Inspire us and guide our footsteps as we bless, break, and share our gifts of time, talent, and treasure with our neighbors, walking in love as you have walked with us. Amen.

IN our gospel reading today, James and John boldly approach Jesus and say to him: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” …When Jesus asks them what they want, they say to him: “Grant us to sit, one at your right and one at your left, in your glory.” James and John seem to be seeking the honor, and power, and status of being truly great, if only they could “sit” on the throne and “rule” the kingdom they think they know something about. But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.” And he goes on to teach them and the other disciples about what being “great” is truly about…and it has nothing to do with sitting on thrones of self-importance or striving to rise to places of power and glory for oneself, that are often used to look down upon others, oppress others, or dismiss others as being unworthy…

Jesus said: “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Yes, Jesus calls us to a different kind of greatness: A greatness defined by the way we walk in love with one another, in the ways we strive to love others, care for others, and serve others…a greatness defined by serving others by being extravagant with the love we offer to one another, with the kindnesses we offer one another, with the forgiveness we offer one another, and the relationships we seek to create with one another, as we strive to build up God’s kingdom,  a kingdom that is “ruled” with love….a world-wide family and community that believes that this love, Christ’s love…is the love has the power to reconcile us to God, one another, and all of creation…right here, right now…

And, in seeking this kind of greatness, we must often give up what’s comfortable for us and cross boundaries, cross the street, be the first to extend a hand of welcome….be the first to set aside the words that destroy relationships, and divide us from one another, be the first to step out in faith in the face of change needed… be the one who pro-actively invites those we meet, to come and see…that there is another path to greatness…and that path is illumined for us every step of the way, as we strive to walk in the Way of love, that Jesus has taught us…in so many different ways…in ways that build up and encourage one another…in ways that say and show that each and every person matters and belongs…in ways that affirm that all are welcome, all are beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love…

If we were asked to draw a picture, to envision and capture what our communities could look like, if we followed Jesus’ way of love, by humbling ourselves, and by serving others…what would it look like? What would “greatness” look like?

Would we see hands reaching out to help one another? Would we see hands reaching out to help lift others out of the depths of loneliness and isolation, addictions, and domestic violence? Would we see hands distributing food to the hungry? Would we see long tables, filled with people of all ages, eating, and laughing and enjoying conversations with one another?

Would we see men, women, and children of all ages, and all cultures joining in the dance of life together, learning from one another, teaching one another, encouraging one another, treating one another with dignity and respect? Would we see rivers and oceans flowing, trees and flowers blooming, seasons changing in the way that God created them to? Would we see people tending to the earth and all of its creatures with care and concern for today’s world…and for the people who will inhabit this earth long after we are gone?

The possibilities are endless….no sketch pad or mural is large enough to capture the vastness of what is possible, when we strive to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, as we strive to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.    Ephesians 5:1-2, NRS

I’ve seen the vastness of what is possible when people walk together in such a way, unfolding in real time right before my eyes, not only this past year here at St Peter’s and in the wider Episcopal Church, but in the evolution of changes that we have been through together in my nine and a half years since being welcomed into this community.

The ways all of you have stepped up in such a wide variety of offerings this past year, continues to give me seeds of hope for the ways in which the church and its people will continue to be shaped and transformed for the labors of love and work we will be called to in the coming year.

I’ve seen how you’ve loved and supported one another through times of illness and loss; I’ve seen how you’ve loved and supported people in our community through your monetary and in-kind donations and through your volunteer efforts to feed the hungry and provide shelter for those in need, visit the lonely, encourage the young and the elderly; I’ve seen how generous you’ve been with your monetary and in-kind donations that you’ve given this past year to support the operating budget of the church, and to support all the buildings and grounds projects at St Peter’s, most recently the stonemasonry work.

I’ve seen the fruits of your labors and donations in the ways that your stewardship of our historic buildings has been an incredible gift to the community, enabling us to use the See House as a safe and welcoming gathering space for many community organizations, AA groups, youth groups, as well as for all of the church-organized activities. I’ve seen how it is possible, that even through some of the big and abrupt changes that we’ve all faced in the past few years, in our personal lives, in the church, in the community, your commitment to walking in love with one another, as Christ has loved us and gave himself up for us, continues to be an inspiring and hope-filled witness to the “greatness” of which Christ is inviting us to live out in all our days to come.

So, thank you. I’ve seen all of you, on the front lines, and those who do the everyday quiet work behind the scenes.

My hope and prayer for the coming year, is that we will bring all of those gifts of greatness together again this year, ensuring that St Peter’s can continue to offer ourselves and our buildings as “A sacred place to gather, be anchored in the beauty of God’s love, and sent forth to walk in the way of love”…

And now, as is sometimes my best way to express my gratitude for the examples of the greatness of God’s love that I have been witness to in the people and places I have been in my lifetime…I close with this instrumental offering…

Closing Prayer/Hymn: How Great Thou Art

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

An invitation to set out on a journey with Jesus - oct 13 2024 reflection

21 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/October 13, 2024

Amos 5:6-7,10-15; Psalm 90:12-17; Mark 10:17-31

Opening words ~ written by Rev. Kathleen Sheets, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jesup, IA.

To the fisherman Jesus said:

“Follow me and I will make you fish for people.

To the tax collector Jesus said: “Follow me.”

To the rich man Jesus said:

“Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At the last supper Jesus said: “Follow me.”

To you and to me and to all of us Jesus says: Follow me!

Let us pray: Great God of Heaven and Earth, you call us to leave behind our preoccupations and to follow you into the future. Sometimes we find your call challenging. We are comfortable, maybe even complacent, in our present. May we begin anew this day with a hope and a willingness to follow where you lead. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. posted on the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. (adapted)

It seems that Jesus is always on the move, always getting ready to set out on a journey…as we heard once again in the very first line in today’s gospel reading… “As Jesus was setting out on a journey…” But there’s a few things that caught my attention today…I don’t think he’s usually planning to set off on a journey alone…When I think back to other stories in our scriptures about any journey that Jesus was about to embark on, as well as today’s gospel reading, he always pauses for a moment and takes time to truly listen to all the questions and concerns of the people…and is always quick to invite them to come along, to follow him, with all their questions, their fears, their uncertainties and all …to set out on a journey with him… trusting where he will lead them as they explore and learn and practice new ways of walking in love with God, with one another, and with all of creation….

This invitation to set off on this journey with Jesus, is extended to us today, as well…as individuals…and as the whole church, the body of Christ, striving to follow Jesus in walking the way of love in the world today…in such a way that all will know and experience the graciousness of God’s love and blessing that is intended for all of God’s people.

Several of us, have just returned from the Diocesan Convention in Anchorage last weekend…and there’s still more info that will be shared in the coming weeks and months…but I wanted to share with you this morning, some of the highlights that came out of our convention gathering whose theme was based on a verse included in a scripture passage from Mark 4:35-40 (GNT)…in which Jesus extends yet another invitation to those who were with him to follow him, to set out on a journey with him…he says to them… “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” …

The following (excerpts) were included in the Diocese of Alaska E-news on Oct 11, 2024 – a brief review of our time together at the Diocesan Convention – Oct 3-5 2024.

 _____________________________________________________

" Sailing to Different Shores”

“…Let us go across to the other side of the lake. …”

 Mark 4:35-40 GNT

In his address, Bishop Mark, called us to follow the action of the disciples in Mark 4:38, while in the boat during a storm – wake-up Jesus. The declining numbers in our churches and the challenges we are facing can feel like a storm. When “we find ourselves in the midst of a storm and the boat is sinking. Wake-up Jesus. He’s our life.” 

Bishop Mark called us to look beyond the boat, look beyond ourselves and wake-up Jesus. “Let us push off from the shores that hold us afraid, let us weigh the anchor of false security in resources and numbers, and let us set sail to explore new horizons, new shores for our church, new opportunities to share the hope, life, and meaning that we have found in Jesus who accompanies us on our way.”

The Rev. Elizabeth Riley helped us explore becoming digital evangelist. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ using modern tools of communication – social media. To use these platforms, you don’t need a production company with fancy equipment – you need your authentic self, a willingness to share your faith and a cell phone.

We met in small groups to share our stories. Answering these questions: Where have you encountered the Living God in unexpected ways? When, in your life, have you felt closest to God? Where do you imagine the people in your community encounter the Living God? How can your church engage within the community to share encounters with the Living God, and be the hands and feet of Christ? These discussions led into a presentation about the Genesis II program, a partnership with the Office of Church Planting of The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Alaska, and churches. This is a six-month commitment where you explore your faith, your churches faith and your community. The South-Central Deanery is starting the work of forming cohorts of churches to work together.

The Standing Committee presented the summary findings of the surveys and conversations regarding the format of Convention, in-person, online, or alternating. (After much discussion), A motion was passed unanimously that “beginning in 2026, we would alternate between on-line and in-person for a trial period of 4 years. The practice will be reviewed at the 2029 in-person convention.”

Pearl Chanar, the Co-Chair of the A127 Commission, shared with us the progress of the Commission and that this work is difficult and will take time. Pearl is one of our own, currently in Anchorage, originally from Minto. The A127 Commission was formed by the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies, to study and report on the Episcopal Church’s history with Native American and Alaska Native Boarding Schools. It was created to address Resolution 2022-A127 passed at the 2022 General Convention; 2022-A127: Resolution for Telling the Truth about The Episcopal Church’s History with Indigenous Boarding Schools. The Rev. Dr. Anna Frank, who is also on the Commission, shared her story and encouraged the diocese to continue its work of truth-telling. The Diocese passed resolutions in 2021 and 2022, supporting The Episcopal Church’s Truth Telling about Indigenous Boarding Schools.

The Resolutions Committee brought forth four (new resolutions), all of which passed.

Resolution 2024-01 Creating a Celebration Day for Hudson Stuck, congregations of Diocese of Alaska are urged to include a celebration and prayer for Hudson Stuck on the Sunday closest to October 10; Read Resolution.

Resolution 2024-02 Creating a Celebration Day for Walter Harper and John Fredson, congregations of Diocese of Alaska are urged to include a celebration and prayer for Walter Harper and John Fredson on the Sunday closest to June 7th ; Read Resolution .

Resolution 2024-03 Committee for Recognition and Celebration of Alaska Native Saints and Spiritual Leaders; Read Resolution.

Resolution 2024-04 Support of Expanded In-Person Lay Leadership Training; Read Resolution.

We were honored to have The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, join us (on Oct 5) via Zoom and provide an update on the devastation Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene caused in his diocese.  Our thoughts, prayers and well wishes were conveyed to all of them. (To also note, Tom Brackett from the national church, was scheduled to be in attendance at our convention as the keynote speaker, but his hometown is in Asheville, North Carolina and was unable to leave his community).

A special offering was taken for relief efforts and will be directed to Episcopal Relief and Development for their work with the affected dioceses and people.

These are just a few of the highlights from the convention…

Later on today, I will send out the link for the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska website that includes some of the full ministry reports, Bishop Mark’s address to the church, the resolutions, election results, and the 2025 diocesan budget info.

Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Convention page/website can be found at this link https://episcopalak.org/event/2024-convention-and-clergy-conference/

And I encourage you, as you have time in the next few weeks, to read through the reports. It’s important for all of us to be informed, to seek to understand, that we are part of a wider church body, and that a lot of our fears and uncertainties about the church of the present and the future are not “problems” or challenges for any of us to address alone.

We are invited to set off on a journey with Jesus, to follow him, trusting that where he will lead us as we explore and learn and practice new ways of being the church together, in the world today, we can be assured that he is leading us in life-giving ways and to vistas that we have yet to imagine…for God all things are possible…

Closing Prayer/Hymn: (LEVS II) 144 - Refrain

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Benediction

(inspired by Mark 10:27)

With God all things are possible.

May you carry that confidence

into your daily life and work,

as you follow Jesus, and walk in Christ’s footsteps,

guided by God’s hand. Amen.

~ Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press.

Oct 6 - Reflection on St Francis of Assisi

Celebrating the Feast of St Francis

October 6, 2024 

On October 4th, the Church celebrates the life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Francis is one of our most beloved saints because of his humility, his gentleness and especially his joy in God’s creation. Francis loved all of creation because he saw that it belonged to God. He called the birds and other animals his brothers and sisters because, he said, “We all have the same Father.” The world and everything in it was one big family to Francis. This sense of joyful gratitude gave him an excitement in living and a gentle courtesy to all that he met—people, animals and birds. (from Weaving God’s Promises)

In our book of common prayer, the very first prayer that is listed in our collection of prayers and thanksgivings is the prayer for Joy in God’s Creation…and it invites us to share, with St Francis, this same sense of joyful gratitude for the whole creation…

1. For Joy in God's Creation
O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the very beginning, God called all of his creation good, and entrusted the care of the whole creation, into our hands and our care…

On this day, when we celebrate the life and witness of St Francis of Assisi, the stories that have been told about his life, teach us lessons about creation through the stories of birds and animals that highlight his teachings about humility, gentleness, patience, peaceful kindness, joy and gratitude…

One tells a story of Francis and Creation…when he blesses the birds…

Francis and Creation

Francis was making a trip when he came to a place where a flock of birds—doves, crows and jackdaws—had gathered. When Francis saw them, he left his friends in the road and ran toward the birds. When he was close to them, he greeted them, and they did not fly away. So he begged them to listen to the word of God: “My brother birds, you should praise your Creator enthusiastically and always love God.” The birds gazed at him, so Francis touched their heads and bodies and blessed them before sending them on their way. (Weaving God’s Promises)

At the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Sante Fe, New Mexico, there are several statues and plaques with stories about St Francis on the grounds of the church…one, of course, this story about him preaching to the birds, and then blessing them…

Another story that is shared there on the grounds of the Cathedral is the one that depicts the story of Francis and the Wolf…

Francis and the Wolf (weaving God’s promises)

There was in a city a large and fierce wolf that was so hungry that it ate not only animals but also people. All the people in the town were very frightened. They took weapons with them everywhere they went, as if they were going to war. But even with their weapons, they were not able to escape the sharp teeth of the wolf when they were so unlucky as to meet it on the road. The people grew so afraid that hardly anyone dared go outside the city gate.

St. Francis was visiting there one day and decided to go out and meet the wolf. The people warned him not to go, for he surely would be attacked and killed. But St. Francis ignored their pleas. Putting all his faith in the Lord, he went bravely out to meet the wolf where it lived. The wolf came running toward him with its mouth open. St. Francis made the sign of the cross toward it, and the power of God stopped the wolf in its tracks.

St. Francis said, “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt me or anyone.” The wolf closed its jaws, lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis’ feet. St. Francis then made peace between the wolf and the people, making the wolf promise not to hurt any animal or person ever again.

The wolf promised by raising its front paw and putting it in the saint’s hand. Then the wolf began to walk along beside St. Francis like a pet.

From that day on, the wolf and the people lived peacefully together. The wolf went from door to door for food, hurting no one; the people fed it gladly and not a single dog barked at it. When the wolf grew old and died, the people grieved because its peaceful kindness and patience reminded them of the holiness of St. Francis.

What do you suppose this story might have to say to us? What else is it causing us to wonder about?

Do we all have a wolf within? If so, to what extent is the wolf ravaging in us? Are we afraid of something? Are we angry about something or angry at someone? Are we shutting ourselves off from the rest of the community, from the wider creation of all God’s people and creatures, because of our anger and our fears of the other?

To what extent is the wolf within us, open to be tamed? Are we opening our hearts to the power of God to bring mercy, forgiveness and healing? Are we willing to reach out to our brothers, our sisters, and all of creation and seek to be instruments of peace…are we willing to enter into those places of hate, and sow love; go where there is hurt and forgive; lead where this is strife and division, to become one; address doubt, by sowing faith; bring hope to places of gloom; sow light, in the darkness of people’s souls; where all is tears – bring joy?

Are we willing to go, as St Francis and many others, who have gone on before us, have been called to go …answering Jesus’ call to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”? Preaching love, forgiveness, unity, faith, hope, light and joy?

Are we willing to spread the joy of this good news – that God’s love is for all of his people and all of creation? And that Jesus, the firstborn of all creation, has paved a way for us to be reconciled to God and one another …as we strive to walk in love, as he has loved us…

This love is shown to us, in all of creation….the people, the birds, the animals, the trees, the oceans, the rivers, the mountains, the rainbows….whenever our eyes are open to behold God’s gracious hand in all of creation…there is joy…joy and gratitude for all of God’s gifts, that remind us to love and care for one another, with humility, gentleness, patience and peaceful kindness…

Rev Julie Platson

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

 *image - unsplash

Prayer and Healing - Sept 29 sermon

19 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/September 29, 2024 - Rev Julie Platson

Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

Opening Prayer: (Psalm 19:14)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen

We come to the last Sunday of a 5-week series of readings from the book of James. The reading began with these words:

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.

Today’s reading from James may be familiar to some of you who have participated in special healing prayer services in the church, or you may have heard a portion of the scripture when a church member or clergy member made a visit in your home, or hospital to pray for healing with you and anoint you with holy oil. We have a short liturgy called “Ministration to the Sick” in our prayer book on pg 453 that is often used in those personal home or hospital settings. And I encourage you, if you are desiring some special healing prayers for your body, mind or spirit, or needing some pastoral support, to contact me, Deacon Kathryn or Deacon Glenda, so we can arrange for a home visit. And periodically here, at the conclusion of the service, we have some lay leaders or clergy who can pray with you and anoint you with holy oil. Today will be one of those days…so at the conclusion of the service, you can meet at the baptismal font for healing prayer and anointing.

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

Those words from James are on my mind this week.

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

The community of Sitka has been faced with some real heartache these past couple of weeks. We heard the news of the serious car accident that involved four young people here, one who has died. I’m amazed by all the people throughout the community who have been praying for these young people, their families, the search and rescue teams, and how the prayers have been so appreciated and comforting for them.  Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

We received the news of the sudden passing of Tuffy Robards, who was baptized, confirmed and served as an acolyte here in his younger years, and was known to many in the community through his work at Stereo North. I’m amazed by the outpouring of prayers from across the entire community for Tuffy, his family, his medical team…and I know these prayers, in all their different forms, have been bringing comfort and support to his family and closest friends.

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

We’ve all surely heard the national news about the devastating destruction, floods, loss of lives, that impacted several southeast states when Hurricane Helene made landfall just a few days ago.

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

For all of these tragedies and losses…we are called to persevere in our prayers…for healing isn’t just a one-time incident. There are so many multiple aspects of healing needed. And for anyone who has experienced their own personal losses, they know too well…how long of journey it is to reach a point when you sense that healing is just beginning to mend the most difficult parts of your fractured body, mind and spirit.

Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.

Healing isn’t just for the person or persons we are praying for. We as the ones praying, are also in the process of healing, throughout our lives. And prayer, can be one of the most important foundational tenants of our faith, that reassures us that we are not alone, and we were not created to live apart from one another. So sometimes, our prayers are confessing our sins for the ways we have contributed to be being stumbling blocks for the healing of all God’s people and all of creation.

We were created to live in unity with one another, grounded in the love of God’s presence, made known to us in Jesus.

That’s where the hope of healing begins and continues…

When we are concerned about one another, when we are truly curious about one another, and listen to one another’s needs, when we learn to confess our sins to one another and forgive one another, when we strive to love one another, as we have been so loved…when we allow the prayer of our faith to lead us to faithful and loving actions that heal all of us…

Pray for one another, so that you and all of us may be healed by the thread of love that unites us to one another, in this life, and in the life to come.

BLESSING: For Health of Body and Soul – BCP 460

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing Prayer/Hymn: (R) 292 – Bind us together

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love.

There is only one God, there is only one King;

there is only one body, that is why sing:

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love.

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, AK

Sept 22 sermon - Mark 9: 30-37

Sept 22, 2024

Today’s sermon was written and shared by Deacon Kathryn Snelling

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Are we using our tongue for blessing or cursing?

17 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/September 15, 2024 - Rev Julie Platson

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-8; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Opening Prayer: ~ posted on The Minor Keys, adapted

Holy One of Blessing, give us open hearts and open hands.

Make us eager to hear your voice and seek your guidance.

Open our minds to your ever-present spirit that is always moving within and around us. Open our spirits to your nudging and open our lives to your love. Amen

We continue this week with a reading from James (5 weeks of James) …he continues to speak to us about our words and actions…This time, he speaks about the power of our tongue and our words... He points out the discrepancy that is sometimes there, between our words and our actions…We say we love God and our neighbor, we say we want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus…but oh, how often, that tongue of ours, reacts and speaks too soon…and oh, how we regret what we have just blurted out….words that have nothing to do with loving God or our neighbor…

Sometimes, it’s quite obvious, when we react to someone negatively….but at other times, the tongue can be used to hurt others in the quiet conversations that take place behind closed doors…or in the whispers between two persons on the other side of the room….or in the e-mails or texts that get sent off in a fury….The tongue, our words, are so strong, powerful…and they can crush one’s spirit with one word…one word uttered in anger…one word belted out in a moment of impatience…one word spoken in ignorance…

James tells his listeners in today’s reading…From the same mouth come blessing and cursing…

James tells us, the tongue is not just capable of cursing and damaging one’s spirit, … the best part is, is that it is capable of something so much better! It can be used for blessing, for encouraging and advocating for one another, for forgiveness, for speaking words of hope and healing…

Blessing others with the use of words that we would hear if we were following in the footsteps of Jesus, walking with Jesus, and eavesdropping on his teachings and conversations with others, words we would speak that reveal our love for God and for our neighbor…words that reveal that it is indeed God’s Holy Spirit directing, informing and guiding us…Words that speak of love, patience, understanding, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness – words that seek to build up and bring persons together, as one, in God’s family….Words, that if used in this way, could set a whole forest on fire, a whole community of people, ablaze with the love of God, to build up his beloved community here and now. That is indeed good news!

It’s tough, though…we are human beings…we make mistakes, many mistakes…yet we have the opportunity to learn from them throughout our lives…we most likely set out to say and do the right thing …probably try real hard to use our tongues for blessing not cursing…But it’s hard. Our words, what comes out of our mouths at times, and our intentions don’t always line up. But this isn’t about beating ourselves up over it or judging ourselves and others. It’s about taking a stand once again, choosing to start anew, over and over again, to embark on a new direction, with hope and faith in following and walking with Jesus Christ…a way of life of walking in the way of love, that calls us, as the psalmist describes today:  to walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Perhaps that’s what one of the things Jesus is talking about when he speaks to the crowd and the disciples about taking up their cross and following him.

In the reading from Mark today, Jesus called the crowd with the disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

It’s not always an easy choice to say or do the right and most loving thing…we often want to say the popular thing, we want to say things that build us up, we may want to say certain things because we don’t want others to know that we are fearful about something, we don’t want to be portrayed as the underdog or the weak one. It’s hard - we use our words in these situations that curse others because we are reacting, trying to save our life - we don’t want to lose our life, or our reputation.

But, Jesus tells us – that’s exactly what we have to do – we have to give up our “so-called” life, the worldly life of expectations – our ego, our self-importance, our need to be right, our need to be in control, our need to be always strong. And as we do that, we gain life, abundant life, kingdom life – where all are welcomed, where all belong, where all are loved and blessed by God.

There’s an old Cherokee Legend that some of you are probably familiar with…

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed.”

So, this gives an opportunity to pause and ask ourselves: Which one are we feeding these days? The one that will enable us to speak words of blessing or the one that will cause us to speak words of cursing?

Which one are you following? Are you striving to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the one whose life speaks boldly of abundant blessings and life? Or are you being led astray by “setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”, as Jesus tells Peter in today’s gospel reading. 

As we prepare to begin a new day, a new week….

Let us seek to walk, together, in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living….by taking up our cross, following in the footsteps of Jesus by striving to love others and bless others, as we have been so loved and blessed; and let our hope and faith in Jesus Christ lead us and guide us in choosing words (and actions) that proclaim the love and blessing of God…for all people and for all of creation.

Closing Prayer/Hymn: May the Good Lord Bless & Keep You (Meredith Willson)

May the Good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away
May you find that long awaited golden day today

May your troubles all be small ones and your fortune ten times ten
May the Good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again

May you walk with the sunlight shining and a blue bird in every tree
May there be silver lining back of every cloud you see.

Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows, never mind what might have been, May the Good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again, May the Good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again.

The bread that satisfies our deepest hungers and longings in our hearts. - Aug 25 sermon

14 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/Aug 25, 2024 - Rev Julie Platson

Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

Opening Prayer:

God of Israel old and new, write in our hearts the lessons of your law; prepare our minds to receive the gospel made visible in your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

The past five weeks, we have been journeying through a portion of the gospel of John, and listening to a series of Jesus’ teachings on bread, and his passion to help his listeners and followers come to believe that he is the One they’ve been waiting for, longing for, the true bread that can finally satisfy their deepest hungers for themselves and the community among them; the One they’ve been waiting for, longing for, who can finally satisfy their longing in their hearts for justice, for freedom, for mercy, for wisdom, for courage, for comfort in times of sorrow and grief, for healing, for wholeness, for new life, for belonging, for love…for the love of God, made visible to us in Jesus Christ.

Let me give you a re-cap on Jesus’ teachings from the gospel of John these past several weeks…

I think back to week one (John 6:1-21)…with the feeding of the five thousand with five barley loaves and 2 fish and his disciples questioning how it would be possible to feed so many with just 5 barley loaves and 2 fish…When Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

Week two (John 6:24-35): Jesus continues with these words, after the feeding of the five thousand...telling them that he IS the bread of life and whoever comes to believe in him will never be hungry or thirsty… “Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Week three (John 6:35, 41-51): More doubts and questions arise for the Jewish leaders among them, questioning Jesus saying “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”… because they knew him as the son of Joseph and knew his mother, too… Jesus goes on to tell them in that gospel passage that week: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Week four (John 6:51-58): Jesus’ teachings seem to become much more difficult to comprehend… the Jewish leaders were said to be disputing among themselves…  “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So, Jesus attempts to unpack this question for them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.” Jesus makes it completely clear now, right?????

This brings us to today, on week 5 of the bread of life teaching (John 6:56-69)…in the synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus’ disciples say it plainly and probably speak for most of today too as we’ve listened to Jesus’ words today and the past few weeks… “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it? Jesus responds by asking them, Does this offend you?  Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? He goes on to try and help them understand the difficult teachings through another lens of interpreting his words and coming to believe that he is the One that they have been longing for, waiting for…“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

We heard in the conclusion of today’s gospel, that many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So, Jesus turns to the disciples still there and asks them… “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

As we come to the end of this five-week teaching series…where do you stand today? What have you come to believe? What are you still trying to make sense of in these gospel readings the past several weeks? Perhaps you are struggling with what to believe? About God, about Jesus, about what is possible when you can’t quite imagine that there truly is a way forward? Why not find someone to sit down with and process through these scripture passages further…together…

Are you in the midst of some difficult transitions or circumstances of your own? Or your loved ones? Trying to make sense of your own suffering or the widespread sufferings and injustices you are aware of in our community and worldwide? Why not find a friend in grief to sit down with to support one another.

When you close your eyes at night and when you anticipate the coming of a new day - What are you longing for? What are you hoping for? Why not meet up with someone to share your concerns…your longings and your hopes…

Will you turn away from what’s difficult…or will you turn once again to receive the gospel, the good news made visible to us in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, and allow His Words of spirit and life to satisfy your deepest hungers and longings in your heart…

Throughout our lifetime, we will all be faced with difficult circumstances and challenging transitions, unanswerable questions, longings that we don’t think could ever be satisfied.

Yet, this isn’t a solo journey we are on in life. We are meant to be in community and in relationship with one another.

With Jesus, the bread of life, at the center of all our prayers, our gatherings with one another, we can be nourished, fed, comforted, uplifted, and encouraged to keep on striving to love one another and care for one another in such a way…that we truly come to believe and understand that we are not alone…our prayers are heard…and all of our deep hungers and longings in our hearts can be satisfied, through the love of God, made visible to us in Jesus Christ, and by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit that unites us together in this lifetime, and for eternity.

Today, and every morning anew, we are invited to make a choice. Will we choose to turn away from all the difficulties that threaten to overcome us? Or will we lean into them and choose hope, by turning again and again, to walk with Jesus in the way of love that nourishes us with the true bread of life that can satisfy our deepest hungers and longings in our hearts. May it be so.

Closing Prayer/Hymn: There is a longing in our hearts, O Lord

                  There is a longing in our hearts, O Lord,

                   for you to reveal yourself to us.

                   There is a longing in our hearts for love

                   we only find in you, our God.

1        For justice, for freedom,

          for mercy: hear our prayer.

          In sorrow, in grief:

          be near, hear our prayer, O God. Refrain

2        For wisdom, for courage,

          for comfort: hear our prayer.

          In weakness, in fear:

          be near, hear our prayer, O God. Refrain

3        For healing, for wholeness,

          for new life: hear our prayer.

          In sickness, in death:

          be near, hear our prayer, O God. Refrain

4        Lord save us, take pity,

          light in our darkness.

          We call you, we wait:

          be near, hear our prayer, O God. Refrain

An invitation to Taste and See - Aug 11 sermon reflection

12 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/Aug 11, 2024 - Rev Julie Platson

1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6: 35, 41-51

Opening Prayer:

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ

fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom.

Renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness

sustain us by the true and living bread, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

—posted on The Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

We’ve been talking about Jesus and bread for the past three weeks. And for two more weeks, we will still be on the topic of Jesus and bread. Makes one wonder – why five weeks talking about bread? What’s so important about something so basic as bread?

To those of us, who appear to have their daily needs met, by always having food to eat, having a roof over our head, a pillow to lay our heads down at night, work that is meaningful, family life that is good, health that is robust…something as basic as bread, may not enter our minds too often.

So, perhaps five weeks talking about something as basic as bread is calling our attention to someone else. Maybe we are being nudged to consider that for many among us, in our communities and outside of our church, something as basic as bread, has a whole different meaning for them.

There are those who experience hunger are all around us, from all walks of life, and all ages - these are all people, who are all beloved children of God…They all have a story to tell…ones that perhaps we need to pay more attention to and listen more closely to.

Jesus is concerned about everyone’s story: your story, my story, people living in poverty’s story, children going to bed hungry and waking up hungry – their story; he’s concerned about the farmers in rural communities; he wants to hear the story of the working poor in our urban communities; he wants to hear from the women and girls who account for over 60 percent of the world’s hungry; he’s concerned about the seniors, who are often overlooked and go hungry in isolation.

And we are called, as Jesus reminds us often, to be concerned about our neighbors’ story, especially the hungry among us. Hungry for food, hungry for belonging, hungry for love, hungry for respect and compassion and understanding of their needs.

I think back to our first reading today from 1st Kings…and wonder how many of us or those we identify as experiencing hunger, have ever been in that place of deep despair as Elijah was – at the point of giving up and not feeling like he could go on? And then to have an angel of the Lord come and nudge him to get up and eat...and be strengthened for the journey…It was an angel of the Lord, who shared the bread of life with Elijah.

I wonder how many people among us, that you are aware of, are often at this point of giving up? Whether it’s from physical hunger, or dealing with chronic illness, health issues, family issues, struggling to pay rent, or put food on the table for their families? How many would be encouraged to go on, if only an “angel of the Lord”, someone who looked like you or I, showed up and shared the bread of life, the Good News of God, in Christ? Someone who uses their words to build up and encourage, to be kind and tenderhearted towards one another…

I am thankful for all the ways, that there are angels and messengers of hope that walk among us now through the various ways we are working with the hungry among us here in Sitka, through our weekly manna meal offering in collaboration with other Sitka churches, collecting lakeside receipts to help fund some of our outreach ministries, collecting non-perishable foods, partnering with the Sitka Homeless Coalition. On a national level, Episcopal Relief and Development donations help with various life-giving resources to encourage communities at risk worldwide establish their own ways of addressing the extreme poverty in their areas. Bread for the World is another world-wide organization that addresses poverty and hunger through advocacy efforts to address the ongoing systemic practices that contribute to the ongoing barriers that trap people in a cycle of poverty and hunger.

So, yes, the past few weeks, Jesus has been talking about bread, but not necessarily only about bread in regard to our physical nourishment which we often associate hunger with. Addressing hunger and poverty, as you can see in the examples of these different types of outreach efforts that are working on hunger and poverty issues that I just mentioned, is not only about putting a meal on someone’s table. It’s about learning to live together in love with one another and learning from one another, listening to one another, in such a way that brings about healing and wellness and fullness of life for all of God’s people.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Jesus is talking about believing in Him, the bread of life, that is broken, blessed and shared at the table of God’s kingdom, a banquet to which all are invited.

When was the last time you thought about inviting or welcoming the poor and hungry among you to the table and banquet of God’s love? When was the last time you stopped to consider for a moment that there might be people among us, in our communities and outside of our church, that are hungry for the Good News of God, in Christ?  

There might be someone among us that is longing to hear your Good News story, your witness…that yes, the Lord is good. There might be someone among us who is longing to share their story with you, their sorrows, their hopes?

This week, I encourage you to consider, how you, in this time and season of your lives, are being called to be an angel of the Lord to someone who is hungry for food, hungry for belonging, hungry for love, hungry for respect and compassion and understanding of their needs.

Invite them to come, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Closing Prayer/Hymn:

Taste and see.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

O Taste and see.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Closing Benediction

May the love of God which gives life to the world, sustain you;

May the bread of life, Jesus Christ, feed you with the food that endures to eternal life;

May the power of the Holy Spirit nourish and strengthen you in faith.

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online.  http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Prayer and expecting miracles - Sunday sermon

10 Pentecost Year B

7/28/2024

2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-19; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

Opening Prayer: (adapted from a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals)

Lord, grant us the ability to think with your mind, to hear with your ears, to see with your eyes, to speak with your mouth, to walk with your feet, to love with your heart…so that we can be strengthened to transform our world with your abundant love and blessings, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Have you ever heard the phrase, “be careful what you pray for?”…or how about the “Prayer of Jabez” book series that was released over 20 years ago? Millions of books in this series were sold about the power of praying this prayer from 1st Chronicles which is this: Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.

We might say to ourselves…surely, I am not afraid to pray for miracles, or to pray for more abundance in my life and the life of those we know and love. But, might we be just a little afraid, just a little hesitant at times if our prayers really did get answered? I’m not talking about the ones when we are asking for healing and comfort for others or the ones when we are praying for those celebrating birthdays or wedding anniversaries… but the ones that would call us out of our comfort zones, the ones that would ask us to be agents of change and instruments of God’s healing and peace in time of such division and chaos…

I think of some of the prayers in our book of common prayer (ones that we don’t regularly hear on Sunday mornings)…and how praying them, and really believing in the outcome…could leave us feeling a little uneasy of the potential outcome…I’m especially thinking of the ones that speak to some potential big changes in our own personal lives… the prayers that are spoken that would invoke a change needed in us or a call to action by us.

For example: The prayer for Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What would our world look like, if we believed in this holy and life giving Spirit of God to move our hearts to break down the barriers which divide us, to move our hearts to hate no more, and to truly live as one people – with justice and peace for all. It would take a lot of work and collaboration on behalf of all of us. It would require some radical love and imagination to envision and work towards a world in which this would ever be possible.

What about this prayer: The prayer for the Oppressed
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer is loaded with a call to action. This would mean facing the people who live on the margins, the ones who are often forgotten, ignored, the ones who live with terror in their lives every day, who deal with death and disease as an everyday occurrence. This would mean acknowledging and reckoning with our part in being cruel to our neighbors, directly or indirectly…And striving to work together to live into God’s dream of beloved community…a community that no longer differentiates between them and us…but truly welcomes and respects the dignity of every human being…

There are so many other prayers you might look to in our book of common prayer section…as other examples of some of the more challenging prayers…For unity of the Church, for peace in our nation, for times of conflict…

Let’s turn to the gospel reading now to help shed some insight and good news to help us with these challenging prayer topics…

IN our gospel reading today, Jesus had a large crowd following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples…perhaps hoping once again, for a rest. As they looked up, they saw that the crowd was coming towards them again…and Jesus looked at Philip and asked him, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not be enough bread for each of them to get a little.” Philip’s first response was that of fear and scarcity, impossibility and perhaps…why are you asking me? What does this have to do with me? What could I do? I think many of us, would initially react the same way, if we saw 5000 people walking towards us, and then having someone asks us to feed them…

Then, we have Andrew speak up, “there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.”

So, at least we have Andrew here suggesting an option – as improbable as it seemed to him, when he asked Jesus “But what are they among so many people?” I imagine Philip and the others rolling their eyes in disbelief at the absurd suggestion Andrew makes.

But, here we come to the point in the story, when Jesus reveals his power to “increase and multiply”. Jesus had the people (all 5000 of them) sit down on the grass, he took the loaves and the fish and gave thanks for them, and then had them distributed among all who were there. They all ate and were satisfied, and there were even leftovers!

Wow! If only miracles like that happened today...wouldn’t that be wonderful?

What if I suggested to you, that perhaps miracles like that are still possible today? Would you look at me strangely and wonder, what?

I go back to my initial thoughts at the start of my sermon – about praying for miracles and abundance…I think about our hesitancy in praying for miracles as we contemplate the implications in our lives if we really believed in the power of prayer…especially those challenging prayers!

We gather together to pray weekly…we use prayers from our “Book of Common Prayer”, we offer free intercessions and thanksgivings, we give thanks and break bread together every week, in remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer is an important part of our faith traditions.

Prayer has the power to change lives. Do we really believe that when we recite our prayers every week?

Have you ever noticed that we end most of our prayers with “through Jesus Christ our Lord”?

I think that’s important to notice… because the power in our prayers, to change lives, to perform miracles, to increase and multiply, and to bless, is through the power of God, made known to us in Jesus Christ. (not by any strength or power of our ow

It is through the power of God, in the presence of Jesus that any loving action we are called to share and do with our hands and our feet and with our hearts will be multiplied beyond our imagining to transform our world and bring about miraculous healing and an abundant and joyful life for all God’s people…

So, don’t be hesitant or afraid or careful what you pray for:

Pray that you may strengthened in your inner being with power through God’s Holy Spirit, Pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, pray that you may have the power to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Closing Prayer/Hymn: Hear Our Prayer, O Lord   - Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #249

Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord;

Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.

Words: George Whelpton (1847-1930). Music: George Whelpton.

Rev. Julie Platson

St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

 ***Photo by Michelle Kavouras