Happy Father’s Day and, as I like to say, fathering Sunday, when we remember those father figures in our lives. We continue our march on the 15th Sunday of Coronatide and hope to be regathering, at least partially, in the coming weeks. We have been dutifully working together apart for weeks and the leaders at St. John’s have been working to create a safe space to worship in-person all while remembering those who cannot meet in-person. It looks like our worship space will look different, regardless the venue. But, with God’s grace we will work through this “for now” worship experience.
In our Spiritual Communion (link below) today (the 4th in a row), we celebrated Holy Eucharist and offered a prayer of Reception of the Sacrament, not quite the same as in-person but it will do “for now.” Our scripture provided an involved picture of our faith and the principles we should follow in our daily life. Our Old Testament reading from Genesis was the story of Hagar and Ishmael being banished by Abraham; and how God continued to care for Hagar and Ishmael (and Abraham and Isaac) even though they weren’t “chosen” as part of God’s people. Our New Testament reading from Romans reminds us that our salvation is assured in Christ and that our salvation comes partly in the “now” and more fully in the “yet to come.” Our Gospel reading shed light on the harsh reality of the world, both in Jesus’ time and our time. Our mission as Christians may not make us the favored of our culture but as Christians, we know our place in the final accounting is assured – if we do our part for God. Timely thoughts and words.
I invite your comments and likes,
Les+
Readings: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
Link to worship video: https://youtu.be/7sXnAOIcSAI
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