A hopeful homily?

Holden Evening Prayer

July 15, 2020

Romans 5:1-5

A reading from Romans,

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

And hope does not disappoint us…

But what about when it does? 

When have you been disappointed by hope?

Or rather…been hopeful and then experienced disappointment. 

Or let down? 

Or lost hope? 

It happens, right? 

You hoped that the outcome of a conversation would be different this time, but it’s not.

You hoped that we would be together in the sanctuary to see the butterflies in the season of Easter. 

You hoped that you wouldn’t need to postpone your wedding….(again)

You hoped that the planned vacation would still work out somehow…

I posed the following questions on my social media feeds:

Question 1: When have you hoped for something and been disappointed? 

Question 2: Where do you see hope now? 

Here are some of their responses…

I had hoped for a permanent teaching position for 4 years through 6 different long-term substitute positions and interviews.

I had hope every test result day for my mom that her numbers would show treatments were working.  I had hope that she would be the cancer miracle.

A job interview when I hoped for the position, but received the unsuccessful candidate letter.

Hope that a husband and wife would have many happy years together where they could travel and enjoy life together. 

Hope for a marriage for life with a spouse who would celebrate shared gifts, differences and abilities.  Disappointed to discover after several years that who he wanted was a silent housekeeper, baby producer who would do as he said or there were consequences.  With healing work to recover, there is a future full of hope, friends and colleagues who love me just as I am…a unique creation of God’s hands and I get to help others who have been silenced find their voices again. 

I hope that my brother will make more of an effort to contact our mother.

I hope that I have the relationship with my daughter that I have with my mother. 

At one time, I hoped I would be considered for a promotion at my job, where I had put my heart and soul in for the last 12 years – only to find out that was never even a thought for the higher ups. 

I hope that we have made the right decision for our granddaughter and that the opportunity provides her space and allows her to thrive. 

On a lighter note…one person was in high hopes when they bought the fridge with the door ice dispenser…big BIG disappointment. 

One friend shared her experience from Monday,

This whole year has been one disappointment after another, it seems. “We’ll see each other in a few weeks” turned into months, turned into Zoom EVERYTHING, and we all have learned that can only be vaguely similar and never a substitute for connection and human contact.

But... we had our recital yesterday. After months of online classes and a single 15-minute-or-less rehearsal for each piece (and for my high school girls a couple of covert parking lot meetups to get themselves more confident because they can’t stand to let themselves or me down), we all masked up and sanitized our hands and did what we love. Outdoors, under a tent, during a spontaneous tornado warning and downpour that were not in the forecast, followed by intense heat and sweating. And trains going by that were not on the schedule. And a motorcycle revving up next door making us all think the speaker blew out.  It was a bit of insanity and a bit of magic and a bit of grace in this dark, sad time.

And they gave me hope. Hope that togetherness will happen again even if we have to bear the storms (and the locusts and the plagues). It was a reminder that although we are all reinventing our reality, life is not cancelled, Love is not cancelled, art is not cancelled, commitment is not cancelled, friendships and beauty and God are not cancelled.

Amen, sister.

Which leads us to the second question…where do you see hope now? 

I see hope in my granddaughter…

I see hope in my kids…

I see hope in my grandchildren…

I see hope in my daughter…in her ideas and suggestions, in her eyes when she plays outside, in her face when I’m reading her a book, and in her questions about what is happening. 

I see hope in all the beautiful nature blooming and providing fruit, vegetables and flowers.

I see hope in my kids, but even more so, I see it in my mom – who holds on to the hope and prayer that there is a kidney somewhere that will be available for her. 

I see hope in the young, the next generation. They seem to ‘get it.’

I don’t know if you heard that…but so much of our hope resides in the young that surround us.  The youth that live with us or in our communities and in our world. 

The youth and youngsters who have the ability to see the world with eyes full of wonder, to ask the difficult questions, to respond in new ways and to change the world as they do. 

I’m looking at you…youth…kids…young adults…you are providing tremendous hope right now…for so many people (no pressure, right?) 

Your words.

Your actions.

Your care and compassion for those in our world who have been mistreated, forgotten, hurt or abused because of skin color, gender, sexual orientation or ability is making a huge impact right now. 

I don’t say this put more pressure on you, but to lift you up in the eyes of others and for you to see yourselves in the light of hope. 

As you continue to live out your baptismal promises, you inspire the rest of us and fill us with hope. 

Keep being you. 

We will be watching.  And as we do, we are encouraged and filled with hope through all that you say and do. 

And…the rest of y’all…if you are looking for hope? 

If you are in need of that encouragement? 

Look to the younger among us…

Let their actions of love and compassion inspire and encourage you. 

To lift your voice.

To learn something new.

To respond with compassion and care.

To live out Christ’s love and Christ’s light this day and all days.

And may the peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Noon devotion - July 7 (aka a PS to Sunday)

Noon devotion

July 7, 2020

Today’s reading is from the gospel of John,

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept 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. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ 

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. (Probably not including the women and children among them.)

Then 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.’

In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, there is some form of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples…and it is from those gospels where we receive the instruction and the words of institution which we say right before communion.  This is my body…This is my blood…given for you. 

The gospel of John, however, no last supper story…well, there is the meal…and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, and the command to love one another…but no mention of this is my body…this is my blood…

No command to ‘Do this,’ as we hear in the other gospels. 

So, I love hearing the feeding of the 5,000 (plus) as the meal where Jesus feeds everyone…I love hearing this story as John’s version of the last supper and seeing how Jesus feeds everyone who is gathered.  Jesus as the bread of life…feeds the over 5,000 people…and feeds us. 

But at the same time these words, The Body of Christ, given for you…have incredible power, don’t they? Especially when they are spoken to you. 

The body of Christ...given for you.

As we gathered in-person on Sunday for the first time in over three months those were the words. 

The words of hope, the words of a promise NOT forgotten, the words of forgiveness, the words of acceptance, welcome and community.

As we heard God’s word, sang hymns and prayed I did not know how deeply I was longing to speak those words.  In the holy space created as communion was distributed, I saw outstretched hands and holy eyes. 

There were shared tears as the gift was given and received.

There were the ones receiving for the very first time: Their hands...so ready.

There were ones coming up for something so familiar and missed: Their hands...so ready.

At the end of distribution, the words were spoken again, this time to me. The tears could not be held back. I sobbed in my seat hearing the post communion blessing - wrapped in the love and grace and forgiveness of an amazing God.

A God who made certain there is a place in the kingdom and a place at the table for me.  A God who calls me to task and calls me to rest. A God who loves me no matter what.  All in those words...the Body of Christ given for you.

So holy.

So needed.

So freely given.

Thanks be to God.

Let us pray,

Dear God, thank you for loving us.

Thank you for the gift of your Son. 

The one who loves us, frees us and feeds us. 

We thank you for the chance to worship together again.  We thank you for safe spaces to gather and hold in our hearts those who are not able to gather.  We pray for our sisters and brothers with health concerns, anxiety or worry that keeps them separated, but also offers them protection.  Help us to reach out to those whom we missed this weekend in love and compassion. 

God, hold us in your love Jesus taught us to pray,

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever amen. 

Receive God’s blessing,

May the God of all steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…

May you depart from evil and do good. 

May you seek peace and pursue it. 

May you go from this gathering wrapped in God’s grace now and forever. 

Amen. 

Sunday's Sermon - July 5

July 5, 2020

5^th Sunday after Pentecost

Zechariah 9:9-12

Psalm 145:8-14

Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew11:16-19, 25-30

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

Come to me all, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Alright, raise your hand if you are tired. 

Raise your hand if you are tired of being at home…

Or tired of meetings online…

Or tired of pandemic updates…

Or tired of hearing about racism…

Or tired of not being able to just live like how you want to live your life…? 

Now…raise your hand if your soul is weary…

That may be a bit different…

But feel free to raise your hand if your soul is weary because you know work still needs to happen to allow justice for all God’s children. 

Raise your hand if your soul is weary because you have missed this gathering…and have missed being in physical community with the Body of Christ. 

Raise your hand if your soul is weary because each day your heart is heavy with the cares and concerns for loved ones who have been furloughed, lost jobs or had businesses close…

Raise your hand if your soul is weary because even thought you love your family a whole stinkin’ lot, you are ready to be around other people…

Wow. 

Lots of weariness. 

There is a lot going on right now that is draining our energy, our passions, our presence, our hearts and our souls. 

Just seeing the numbers of you who feel comfortable gathering together today speaks volumes to how our souls are feeling right now. 

They are weary.

They are tired.

They are in need of rejuvenation, nourishment, refreshment, care, consolation, compassion…I pray that as we spend safely distanced time together today that your souls are fed. 

That you are reminded that you are not alone in this journey, that you are not the only one feeling weary, or tired, or ready for something new. 

We, as a community, nation and world are soul-weary. 

Not just our souls…like our bodies die and our souls go to heaven…

But our souls as our entire beings…

These bodies + God’s breath = our whole beings…our entire souls. 

You, me, we are soul-weary. 

We are longing for and have this deep desire to be together. 

You see, these bodies were built (created) for connection and community. 

You, me, we were/are created for community…to be together. 

This time apart has been tough for our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.

This time apart has been tough on our entire beings. 

So, isn’t it powerful and prophetic (not pathetic) but prophetic…like out of the mouths of prophets that in today’s gospel Jesus says,

Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. 

Jesus says to you…and you…and you…Jesus says to all y’all…come to me…you who are weary. 

Jesus knows the struggle is real, the call is hard and that we need rest. 

Rest for our, hearts, bodies and souls. 

Jesus calls each of us to rest.  To be.  To heal. To be fed. To be nourished. 

In this place…this outdoor space that has become holy ground as we gather, pray, sing and share in the Lord’s supper…this holy space is where we are called for healing, rest and community. 

And there’s part of me, the optimistic one…the one who put on her rose-tinted glasses this morning who wishes we could just stop right there. 

That this holy space is all that is needed…and if we just had this back…it would be all good. 

But there’s more. 

Rest is hard. 

Wait, what did you say Pastor Jen? 

Rest is hard? 

Just ask any parent who has tried to put a little one down for a nap….

Most don’t to go, they don’t want to miss the action…they don’t want to stop going! 

I think we live in a tricky place. 

Jesus calls us to rest, when all we want to do is go back to the busyness of our ordinary lives…of sports, outings, traveling, camps, work (at the office) school…you name it. 

We would almost rather fill our days with extreme busyness…the busyness we know and feel comfortable in rather than allow our souls to rest in Christ. 

Go ahead, just think on that one for a second…

You can go back to the busyness you know (and get wicked stressed over)

Or you can let it go…let it all go…and rest in Christ. 

It’s hard, wicked hard, to let go of what we know…or what we think we are in control of to let Christ be present in our lives, bodies and souls…

Rachel Held Evans wrote, “The prophet’s voice is routinely dismissed as too critical, but she always challenges from a place of deep love for her community.” 

Let me say that again, “The prophet’s voice is routinely dismissed as too critical, but she always challenges from a place of deep love for her community.”

This call that we hear from Jesus, today…is out of God’s deep love for the body of Christ, God’s community at work in the world. 

Jesus’ call –

Come to me…all y’all….you all…my beloved…who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

Come to me, says Jesus, I will give you something the world cannot give…and it is something you need this day…for your heart and soul….

Come to me, Jesus says, and I will give you rest. 

So just stop. 

Stop. 

Stop arguing.

Stop fighting.

Stop worrying.

Stop shouting.

Just. Stop. 

Just for a moment…in this moment…and REST! 

Rest. 

Because here’s the thing…this holy space is awesome.  And it is just what I needed today…and maybe you needed it too, because the rest of the world is continuing in its busyness…and at some point, we will jump back in.  or slowly ease ourselves back in…to the call of Christ in the world around us. 

Responding out of compassion and justice for our neighbors, friends and even our enemies. 

Rest while you can…let it be holy. 

Let it be a moment or two that fills your heart, soul and entire being. 

And may that rest…shape our lives for action in our homes, community, nation and world. 

May that rest strengthen you for service in God’s kingdom this day and all days. 

May that rest be the gift that you receive this day that you didn’t even know you needed. 

May these words of Jesus be an invitation to you this day…

Come to me all, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

And may that rest…that holy rest…be yours this day. 

And now may the peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Holden Homily June 24

Holden Evening Prayer Homily

June 24, 2020

Luke1:57-79

Please pray with me,

God of the prophets, you sent John into the world to proclaim the coming of your son. Give us ears to hear the proclamations of your promises and eyes to see your presence in this world. Amen.

Our lesson for tonight is the story of the birth of John the Baptist and the song of Zechariah, his father.  Today is the feast day of John the Baptist, the day we celebrate his birth. 

And yes, the day celebrates (?) honors (?) helps us remember the birth of John.  But there is more said by Zechariah following the birth that is a message that speaks to us this day. 

We have to go back about 9 months when an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah telling him that he and Elizabeth would conceive a child and they would name him John…not a name from either Zechariah’s or Elizabeth’s families.  Zechariah didn’t believe it…and he was rendered speechless for 9 months. 

Silent for 9 months…

Now proclaiming the good news of the God of Israel. 

What would it be like to be silent or silenced for that amount of time? 

Because of the situation Zechariah had ample time to reflect on God’s call in his life the life of his family. 

As personal as his message was, coming straight from the heart…he proclaimed a message about God for the people of God. 

Almost as if he was preparing the way for his son John who would prepare the way for Jesus…hmmm…I think that’s worth pondering. 

The proclamation and preparation that these voices (Zechariah’s and John’s) are doing for the presence of Jesus that will be coming into the world. 

They will be echoed as we sing the Canticle of Mary just following this homily.  Both Zachariah and Mary as parents called by God proclaim a message of hope, of redemption, of freedom and of a world that will be turned upside down….all because of a God who loves this world so much! 

Right?!?! 

God loves each and everyone of us and this whole world so much…God brings Godself into the world through the gift of Jesus God’s only son. 

And that world…the world that God created for us…is the one that Zechariah is singing about in tonight’s reading. 

That God has raised up a mighty savior for us
   in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.

That we might serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness. 

With the presence of a pandemic, different areas of our lives have been silenced…concerts, sporting events, large group gatherings…has this offered us all a time of reflection? 

To ponder God’s call in our lives?

To ponder how God calls us to follow Jesus and Jesus message of love and justice and healing in a broken world? 

Maybe. 

Has this situation given you time to ponder who God is calling you to be…today? Tomorrow? 

Has this situation given you time to ponder how and when to use your voice?

Has this situation given you time to ponder God’s call in your life to love and serve your neighbor? 

I’m not asking these questions in a judgy way…please know that. 

I have struggled with these questions, too.   

How is the current climate…impacted by politics, racism and a pandemic…giving me time to pause and ponder? 

How is the current situation opening my eyes and ears to God’s call in my life? 

How is God calling me to follow Jesus and Jesus’ message of love and justice and healing in our broken world? 

These are questions I ask myself, think about and pray about every day. 

And everyday…I listen and look for a response…

            In my community both in person and on social media.

            In home, because that’s where I spend lots of time 😊

            In my faith life & journey…because who God calls me to be is a huge part of that journey. 

Every day as I ask those questions… I look and listen for a response to how and where God is calling me to serve that day. 

Sometimes I take it…day by day…because that’s all I can do. 

Thanks be to God who continues to break into our hearts and our lives.

Thanks be to God who continues to calls us to be part of this inbreaking of love and justice.

Thanks be to God who walks with us every step of the way…

And now may the peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and let all God’s people say, amen.   

Sunday's sermon

Hi friends...here's Sunday's sermon.

June 21, 2020

3^rd Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 20:7-13

Psalm 69:7-10 [11-15] 16-18

Romans 6:1b-11

Matthew 10:24-39

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

Do not be afraid…

Fear not…

Why do you think these phrases pop up more than once in our gospel lesson today? 

Because they bear repeating, especially from Jesus. 

Maybe because the reality of our world is that fear begets fear…

Yes, there is danger out there in the world, yes, danger is real, but fear…fear is a choice.    

When asked what my fears are I often reply frogs and porta-potties. 

I know…just hear me out. 

This frog fear was from when I was much younger and went frogging with a friend and her brother.  Her brother trapped a frog under the dock and with no place left to go it jumped and landed on his face.  Leaving little webby prints here, here, here and here. 

So, when I corner a frog (which doesn’t happen often, in fact it’s not a common practice for me at all) but when faced with a frog, I’m afraid it will jump and land on my face. 

My other fear is that I will drop my phone in a porta-pottie.  Now, truth is, there is a much greater chance of that happening over a frog jumping on my face, but still, there are actions I can take to make sure an accident like that doesn’t happen. 

If I’m ever cornered by a frog in a porta-pottie my head will probably explode. Gosh, I can’t believe I just put those two images together….nightmares for days!  Ugh! 

I digress…there are other fears out there, though, right? 

Fear of getting sick, fear of losing your job, fear for our loved ones health and wellness, fear for your safety and the safety of the ones you love, fear for the future….lots of fears out there. 

And we can and often do get stuck in our fears…be they rational or irrational…but they can seem to take on personalities and lives of their own.  Fear begets fear. 

When we live out of fear, we respond only out of concern for our personal well being, safety and care. 

When we experience fear and are able to see the difference between fear and danger, then we can make a choice as to how we respond. 

You see danger, that’s real.  But fear, that’s a choice. 

Let me say that again, danger is real.  But fear is a choice. 

When faced with any situation we can see whether there is danger and then we can decide how we respond.  We can decide to act out of fear or not. 

In our gospel lesson today, Jesus says, more than once, do not be afraid.  Because, as I said at the beginning, it bears repeating. 

It’s said more than once because the work of the gospel, the call of Christ, is not an easy one.  And, just because we are called, does not mean that the path will be easy and free from danger and fear. 

Jesus preached a message of incredible love and forgiveness.

Jesus lived a life of modeling loving others and reaching out to those in deepest need. 

Those who were outcast, hurting, voiceless, downtrodden. 

Those who were ignored, those deemed untouchable by society or abused by society. 

Those whose lives were shaped by the systems set in place and by structures that were meant to give a certain group of people power. 

During Jesus’ time, those who were deemed unclean were required to shout out ‘untouchable!’ so that those who were healthy and clean could avoid being contaminated. 

In the fictional book Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal, Biff talks about how when he and his buddy Jesus would be out for a walk and Jesus would hear the people shout ‘Untouchable!’ it was like a reflex that Jesus just HAD to touch them.  Like being untouchable just drew Jesus towards them.  Just like Jesus was drawn to those society deemed least likely to receive a visit from the Son of God. 

So, we have Jesus, this savior, who not only went to the places and people who were outcast, downtrodden, ignored, abused…but, he called his disciples and he calls us to do the same. 

That this call is not easy. 

It is not a simple call to love our neighbors as ourselves…and move on. 

Although that’s part of it. 

It’s also the call to listen to the voices in our society that have been ignored, that have been silenced, that are crying out for justice. 

It’s the call to hear those voices, amplify those voices, and join in their cry for justice. 

It’s the call to reflect on our wrongdoings as individuals and as a nation and repent of our past mistakes so that we may learn from them and move forward in a way that offers healing for those who have been hurt in the past. 

It’s the call to realize that there are systems in place that maybe (just maybe) we have benefited from, that have pushed or held others down.

And maybe these systems have made us feel safe and protected, but for others they are downright dangerous and life threatening. 

Friends, this is a hard call, but it is the call of Jesus. 

Jesus continually reaches out to each and every one of us with words of love and grace and forgiveness. 

Because of that love and grace and forgiveness we are given this space to listen, to learn, to make mistakes, to love, and to grow. 

Because of that love, we are freed from our fears…

Freed from our fears of being silent when we have voices to lift up on behalf of others. 

Freed from our fears of being outside of our comfort zones of complacency.

Freed from our fears of losing privilege we have held on to for generations.

Freed from our fears of what the future may look like when ALL of God’s children, those white and black and brown…have the same voice and place in our world. 

Jesus embraced diversity. 

We are called to do the same to see the differences in the colors, genders, sexual identities, political beliefs and economic backgrounds…and to embrace them all.  Some, because of past and current treatment, are crying out for more embracing, understanding and hearing right now…. those are the voices to listen to right now. 

Friends, we can do this. 

We can do hard things.

We can hear the call of Jesus, and respond, knowing it is not always easy, but we do so knowing that it has and will continue to change the world. 

We can hear the call of Jesus, who will help to quell our fears, give us strength and humility to live our lives as Christians each and every day. 

And we can respond.

In our words and actions.

In our care and compassion.

In our learning and our mistakes. 

In our desire to know better and to do better.

In our desire to treat other human beings with love, just as Christ first loved us. 

And now may the peace, which surpasses all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.