I bid God’s grace on the 10th Sunday after the Pentecost from my study in Chuckatuck. It has been a busy week between the Tropical Storm on Monday, the heat and humidity, the daily thunderstorms, and an earthquake in North Carolina this morning. It appears most of our parishioners survived with only minor damage Isaias’ passing, mostly trees and branches. There was some damage to a couple of the older trees near the sanctuary which will cause them to be removed. Sad but they’ve lived a long life. It was nice to have a few returnees in worship today – 9 total together (including me) in the Parish Hall. We’re hanging in amid the continuing Coronavirus situation. Blessings to you all.

In worship today we were reminded by our collect that the spirit to do and think what is right comes from our relationship with God and not from our will. That is important for us as we continue to navigate a life that has many conflicting voices vying for our attention. Our gospel reading today was the story of Jesus walking on the water and catching up to the Disciples as they struggled to get to the other side of the lake. It also included Peter’s request to walk on the water then him succumbing to the fear of the storm – even though he was walking on the water. Paul’s letter to the Romans reminded us that righteousness (a right relationship) comes not from the law (or Law) but from living our life with God in the person of Jesus. And our job is to spread that word to the world – God brings completeness in relationship. Our sermon was focused on the reading from Genesis, the story of Joseph and his brothers conspiring to kill him. While there was a reason for their dysfunction they had a choice to live in cooperation with Joseph and Jacob – or to turn against their community and use their privilege for destruction not creation. We face the same choice today, and we can remember that life comes from being in relationship not specifically from being right.

I invite your comments and likes,
Les+

Readings: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

Video from today’s worship: https://youtu.be/-eA-lQ5eVEw

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