all in the family – a reflection on Mark 3:20-35

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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 3:20-35, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 5B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Bow Bridge

"the girls by bow bridge" Photo by Rick Morley

A couple of weeks ago, while sermonizing, I talked about The Way, the stunning movie about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It’s a story of journey, and grief, and loss—but it’s also a story of a group of complete and total misfits who come to hate each other…and then love each other. They end up inspiring change in one another every bit as much as the 800km pilgrimage route.

In a sense, no matter how dysfunctional they seem to be at times, they become something like family.

Family is as foundational a concept in the Bible as anything else. The Bible begins in Genesis, not with talk of nations and tribes…but families. Read More

under the folds of the hem – a reflection on Isaiah 6:1-8

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Lectionary / Major Prophets / ministry resources / Religion / Temple / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 8:1-8, the Old Testament lesson properly appointed for Trinity Sunday, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

The vision of Isaiah has always captivated me. It informs my vision of God’s Heavenly Kingdom perhaps more than anything else.

It’s grand. Regal. Sweeping. Read More

wanderlust – a reflection on pentecost

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Acts / Creation / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Religion / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 2:1-21, the lesson properly appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, and Genesis 11:1-9 the lesson appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year c.

window

"looking out" From top floor of the Boudinot-Southard-Ross Estate in Basking Ridge, NJ. Photo by Rick Morley.

Pentecost is often interpreted as the undoing of Babel. At the tower of Babel, God confounded the speech of His People so that they could not communicate with each other. At Pentecost God gave the apostles the gift of being able to speak in many languages so that they could communicate with others.

But, I think there is at least one other, though perhaps subtle, similarity. Read More

Matthias and his slick resume – a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

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Acts / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 7B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

The Holy Isle at Low Tide

"a far way from shore" The Holy Isle of Lindisfarne at low tide. Photo by Rick Morley.

With Judas’ demise, the disciples were down to eleven. Twelve is a good biblical number though. A number with significance. So, it seemed good and proper to get the disciples back to “twelve.”

There was a position to fill. Read More

a litany for Mother’s Day

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Prayers of the People

On this day when we remember our mothers, let us offer our prayers to Jesus, the son of Mary.

Because on this earth we are all sons and daughters of Eve, let us pray for the whole world and the church universal, that we might behold each other as brothers and sisters. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

As Rebecca gave birth to Jacob, and in so doing she gave birth to a whole nation, let us pray for our own nation, and for all in authority. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

As Rachel’s son Joseph was mistreated, beaten, and wrongly jailed, we pray for all in this world who are in trouble of any kind. We pray for the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the victims of war and all who live in terror’s wake. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

As Hannah, the mother of Samuel, went to the House of the Lord to pray with earnest integrity, we earnestly pray for those in this community, and especially those celebrating their birthdays this week  . . . Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

As Naomi took Ruth into her home, we pray for those who act as surrogate, spiritual mothers. We pray with gratitude for all those who give the gift of love and nurturing. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

As Elizabeth gave birth in old age, and as she saw her son John the Baptist carried off to persecution, we pray for all those who are sick, those who are suffering, and those with any need, especially. . . Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

And, as the Blessed Virgin Mary stood by the cross and watched her son die, we pray for the dead and the dying. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our Prayer.

Lord Jesus, who wishes to gather your people as a mother hen gathers together her brood, we offer to you our prayers. Accept our gratitude for all who mother, bless all who mother, and give all mothers your comfort and strength. And help all of us, brothers and sisters, to be your family on earth, as we shall be in Heaven. Amen.

even astonished – a reflection on Acts 10:44-48

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Acts / Easter / Epistles / Lectionary / New Testament / Paul / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 10:44-48, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 6B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

St. Peter's by the Sea

St. Peter's by the Sea Episcopal Church, in Gulfport Mississippi, following Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Rick Morley, in 2005.

…While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles…

The two words above, which to me stick out as if they have neon lights attached to them, are “astounded” and “even.” Gentiles in Caesarea Maritima are coming to faith in God in Christ, and the Christians of Jewish descent are “astounded” that the Holy Spirit of God is being given to “even” the Gentiles.

In other words, they have no clue. Read More

true content – a reflection on the 23rd Psalm

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Lectionary / Old Testament / Psalm / Year B

The following is a reflection on the 23rd Psalm, the Psalm properly appointed for Lent 4A
Easter 4A,B,C, Proper 11B & Proper 23A, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Sheep

A Sheep on the Billings Farm in Woodstock, Vermont. Photo by Rick Morley.

Why this Psalm? Of all the ancient texts, and all the glorious pieces of scripture, what makes us as a people and as a culture gravitate towards this one? I’ve presided over funerals where the majority of those in attendance didn’t know the Lord’s Prayer, but they could stumble through the 23rd Psalm.

Why this Psalm? You’d think that an image as archaic as “shepherding” wouldn’t easily inspire. If you’ve ever spent anytime with sheep, they’re cute enough creatures. They leap so wondrously in the air when they are young. But, they smell. They’re loud. They frighten easily. It’s not like much anyone these days aspires to “shepherd” as career path.

So, what is it about this Psalm which grabs us and doesn’t let go? Read More

swaddled and squinting – a reflection on 1 John 4:7-21

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Creation / Easter / Epistles / Lectionary / Soteriology / Year B

The following is a reflection on 1 John 4:7-21, the epistle lesson for the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Melissa and AJ

My sister, Melissa, holding her newborn son. Photo by Rick Morley.

I have very clear memories of holding each of my daughters, just moments after their births. Both times a nurse handed me those little swaddled bundles and then left the room to care for my wife, just recovering from the c-section.

I remember experiencing a flood of emotion, and an overwhelming sense of wonder. Looking into their little squinting eyes, and running my fingers through their little whisps of hair, I was convinced that I’d never love anyone else ever as much.

But, why? Why did I love them so much then? They hadn’t done anything yet. They hadn’t even eaten, or had reason for a diaper change. They hadn’t accomplished some great feat, and they hadn’t done anything for me at all.

They hadn’t even fetched the remote control for me. Read More

so we would not perish – a reflection on John 10:11-18

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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 10-11-18, the Gospel lesson for the Easter 4B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Sheep in Vermont

Sheep from the Billings Farm in Woodstock Vermont. Photo by Rick Morley.

When talking about John 10, verses 11 through 18, it’s hard not to also talk about the first ten verses of the chapter—because for Jesus it’s one teaching with related metaphors.

In 10:1-18, Jesus talks about a gate, a shepherd, a gatekeeper, a group of sheep, and a group of thieves and bandits. And that’s all well and fine, but Jesus explicitly claims to be the gate. I am the gate.

Then he explicitly claims to be the shepherd. I am the Good Shepherd.

And, depending on how you look at it, he might even be the gatekeeper at the same time. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him.

Whoa…hold on a minute.

Read More

not cast offs – a reflection on Luke 24:36b-48

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Christology / Easter / Eschatology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Luke 24:36b-48, the Gospel lesson for Easter 3B and the Thursday in Easter Week, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

The Highline at Night

The Highline at Night. NYC. Photo by Rick Morley.

The Gospel authors (especially Luke and John) go to great lengths to show that there’s something different about the resurrected Christ. Something so different that Mary Magdalene doesn’t recognize Jesus, and in fact mistakes him for the gardener, on Easter morning. And then the disciples on the road to Emmaus talk about Jesus all afternoon long, but fail to realize that they are speaking to Jesus, mistaking him for a stranger.

The Gospels don’t tell us what exactly was different about Jesus. Just that he is unrecognizable. Until Jesus calls Mary by name, or until he breaks bread with the disciples. Then they know it’s him.

Very quietly, gently, the evangelists communicate something very important to us: something happens in the resurrection which makes Jesus new. They are coy about the specifics. But, we don’t need the specifics to know that something is going on here.

And, it’s big.

But, one of the other things that the Gospel authors are also clearly intent on showing us, is that it’s really Jesus who rose from the dead. It’s not a phantasm. Not a spirit. Not a vision. Not a hallucination. Read More