The scripture for Sunday is a garden of life. It has a little bit of everything: soil, seeds, thorns, birds, and so much more. Like so many scriptures, Jesus’ parable of the sower from Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23 has often been taught with a slant towards works rather than grace. Too often I’ve read this…
“Some care for others with great conviction. But do not care for themselves with the same conviction.” ~ Wayne Muller from “Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest,” alt. Are we experiencing a true movement for systemic change or just a moment? Protests in various expressions are leading to policy changes in some cities, important…
For Jesus a seed is not just a seed. For Jesus a seed is a force for life. A seed is hope. A seed is potential and transformation. As seed is a miracle waiting to happen. In Sunday’s Scripture from Mark 4:26-34 Jesus says, “What’s a good image for God’s realm? What parable can I…
I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence. ~ Frederick Douglass Tomorrow on June 19 there is, for many, a celebration of Juneteenth. This day commemorates bringing the words and impact of the Emancipation Proclamation…
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest.” –Jesus, Matthew 9:37-38 Yesterday morning, I spoke with one who is feeling hopeless. One of the comments was: “It is sad to bring a child into this world.” Later, on the noon…
My mother was not overly protective. Nevertheless, when I was a child she gave me a few instructions for my safety, such as look both ways before crossing the street. As a white child growing up in the small town of Denair, California, I was free to walk to and from school, the little markets…
As we sing in a beloved MCC hymn: We are the church alive Christ’s presence on this earth; we give God’s Spirit Body in the act of our new birth. As yielded open channels for God’s descending dove, we shout and sing, with joy we bring God’s all-inclusive love. This Sunday, we celebrate the fulfillment…
Mychal’s Prayer: “Lord, take me where you want me to go; Let me meet who you want me to meet; Tell me what you want me to say,and keep me out of Your way.”~ Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M (1933-2001) I’m finding strength during this time through learning how others have lived through similar though different…
I know that at times I will be troubled, I know that at times I will be belabored, I know that at times I will be disquieted, but I believe that I will not be overcome. Amen. ~Julian of Norwich It takes courage to live the spiritual life. It is easy to get pulled into…
“We live in the light of the promises of Jesus, the one who came to reveal God’s love for the world.” ~D. L. Lose The disciples have lost confidence. They are fearful. Jesus has told them he is going to be leaving them and they can’t go where he is going. They have come to…
