reflection

If you read the texts for last week, you may have been horrified—and even depressed—as I was. I shared about this in last Sunday’s sermon. The Prophet Jeremiah was listing the terrible things that had happened to the people. And we heard God’s words of mourning about them. Happily, the next chapter (32) of the story is not nearly as bleak. Last week, he asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” This week, we find out that there is!

At the Monday evening Bible study, we were joking about the week’s selection of readings—alternately moaning about the grim first reading and psalm, and scratching our heads over the Gospel passage. Some of us suggested that perhaps periodically the designers of the Lectionary got bored with their work, and just put a bunch of random readings in a paper bag, pulling out four for a random Sunday. See what connections you can make among the readings each week. Interesting puzzle.

In this week’s Reflection Letter we learn through Paul the change that can occur when we follow the way of Jesus. Read how he was once a blasphemer turned servant of Christ.

Today’s reading from the Epistle to Philemon contains some unusual features. In a world that all too often doesn’t seem to be interested in anything except what benefits the self, Paul is praising Philemon for his love and concern for other people. Second, the message was so important to Paul that he wrote it himself.

This week, we want to share various bits and pieces of news with you and give you some things for your calendars. Look inside: new COVID measures, fall events, The Great Chili-Lovers’ Smack-down Pot-luck Picnic!

Without change, our power to make an impact on the world is dissipated.  And instead of saying, “See, how much they love each other,” as the early Romans said about the early Christians, the world will say, “See how much they bite each other. Why would we want to join them?” So let us pray fervently.

WHAT A WEEK! Read all the amazing things going on at St. Margaret’s last week! Music Camp, A Concert, Prayerbead Workshop, A Stewardship meeting, Wednesday & Sunday Services, and more – all the things you are all doing to support St. Margaret’s efforts to live the Good News!

Doing the will of the God who loves us and only longs to do good for us is eminently pragmatic, even beyond the invitations in Scripture and in our faith to follow God’s way. Truly, we cannot live without God, who daily creates us and creates for us all we need in order to live.  

I encourage you to pray fervently for the bishops meeting in Lambeth. And for the opening of hearts to the movement of the Spirit. I ask you to pray, too, for our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters who may be feeling that the church is once again excluding and judging them.

Although summer traditionally is a bit quieter and slower, I have some exciting events to share with you. Please add to your calendar and share with others. On Sunday, August 7, at 1:30, several of us will be going to Legend Senior Living in Macungie, to provide a short service for them. Saturday, August 11, from 10:00-3:00, I will be doing a Prayerbead Workshop at the St. Barnabas Center in Kutztown. October 20, 21, 22 and potentially 23 we’ll be having an Icon Workshop at St. Margaret’s in Emmaus.