This week is Labor Day weekend and the hymns are all about vocation and commitment. But what's really on my mind this week is another call to labor - the Texas coast and coastal plains have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey. There is a lot of work to do and will be a lot of work to do for a long time to come. While we should pray for the victims of the storm, we should also roll up our sleeves and get to work. And remember that while donations and funds are flowing in now, the communities will need a lot of support after the news moves on to the next thing. But for now, here are some charities you may consider donating to:
With all of images on the television and Facebook, I'm reminded of the story I told earlier this summer about Gander, Newfoundland, taking in 7,000 stranded passengers from international flights on September 11th. A new musical, "Come From Away," depicts their story. One song in particular has been on my mind as calls for donations and volunteer work come in. I'll leave you with that. Think about what you can do and how you can help, however small you think it may be.
For all of Sunday's Lectionary readings, click here When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 It's so easy to try to put Jesus into terms we can understand. I can see why the people might have claimed Jesus was one of their familiar prophets - there is comfort in familiar, understandable things. There is an element of safety in things we can easily identify. But Jesus was all about breaking through preconceived notions. When people expected a king or a conqueror, Jesus came as a servant. When they expected condemnation of the people they looked down on, Jesus offered forgiveness and compassion. Jesus was revolutionary - he turned everything on its head. Want to receive? Give. Want to be exalted? Be humble. We are constantly being asked who Jesus is - maybe not directly, but the world is watching. People look to the Church to see who Jesus is. What is our response? Who are we showing them that Jesus is? Do our actions say that Jesus is condemnation and judgment? Or do our actions show the revolutionary Jesus who stood up for the oppressed and offered forgiveness and compassion? If someone asked you to demonstrate with your life who you say Jesus is, what would your life show as your answer? Peter became the "rock" God built the Church on for recognizing Jesus for what he was. What can God build on us? Sequence hymn: You are the Christ, O Lord #254 (click here to listen)
1. You are the Christ, O Lord, the Son of God most high! For ever be adored that Name in earth and sky, in which, though mortal strength may fail, the saints of God at last prevail!
2. Oh! Peter was most blest with blessedness unpriced, who, taught of God, confessed the Godhead in the Christ! For of your Church, Lord, you made known this saint a true foundation-stone.
We're more than halfway through August, which means one thing: it's time for school to start! This Sunday is our annual Blessing of the Backpacks - the day when we invite the families and teachers of our St. George's School to come for a special service. The kids pile their backpacks on the altar and we say a prayer for the students, teachers, and administrators. For the sequence hymn this week, we are singing two of the songs the school kids sing every week in their chapel service. One of them is "Be Still and Know." The words are simple ("Be still and know that God is here"), and the message is timeless. It also makes a perfect prayer for the school year, for students, teachers, and those of us who have been out of school for a long time. "God is with you in all that you do." - Genesis 21:22b When the alarm goes off and you start getting ready for the day - be still and know that God is here. As you walk down the halls of the school, amidst the noise and chatter - be still and know that God is here. As you're grading or planning lessons - be still and know that God is here. When you're stuck in traffic - be still and know that God is here. When it's "one of those days" at work - be still and know that God is here. When you're stressed out, overwhelmed, and tired - be still and know that God is here. When you're watching the news and it seems like the world has gone crazy - be still and know that God is here. Take a deep breath. Listen to calming music. Close your eyes for a second. Whatever it takes to have a moment of stillness in a day full of chaos. Be still and know that God is here. Happy school year, students, teachers and administrators! (And happy August-is-almost-over, everyone else!) (Slightly different words here)
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the
other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the
crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was
there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the
land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking
toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they
were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But
immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be
afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you
on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking
on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he
became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus
immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little
faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And
those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
There is a little skydiving place east of San Marcos, Texas. At the entrance is a small, broken plane, and a sign that reads "There's no such thing as a perfectly good airplane - learn to skydive!" It's a bit bleak, but the message is clear. In today's Gospel reading, I can almost imagine Peter saying "There's no such thing as a perfectly good boat."
I'm not sure if I would have had Peter's courage to get out of the boat. The wind is raging, the waves are crashing, and a spectral figure is approaching - walking on the very water itself. Those all sound like very good reasons to stay in the boat. But Peter was a fisherman; had he lost friends or even family to storms on the water? Peter knew there was no such thing as a perfectly good boat.
Throughout the centuries, even as boats and ships have gotten sturdier and safer, storms and icebergs and warships have sunk "perfectly good" boats. Shipwrecks are the subject of poems, songs, and award-winning movies. It seems that every few years there is another story in the news of some tragedy that has befallen a cruise ship. There's no such thing as a perfectly good boat.
Peter called out, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." Peter climbed out of the boat and onto the water. No rowboat, no life jacket, just Peter and his Lord. Even when he looked around at the storm and began to sink, he called out to Jesus again. He didn't turn back for the boat. Because there's no such thing as a perfectly good boat.
Peter knew that there is such a thing as a perfectly good Savior. Safety was not in the boat, but in the presence of Christ.
Ships sink. Planes crash. Bodies age and crumble or give way to sickness. Nothing is perfectly good. Nothing is perfectly safe. Nothing, that is, except the love of God. The waves crash around us but our souls are safe in the arms of Christ. Truly he is the Son of God.
Sequence Hymn: Jesus, Lover of My Soul (Tune: Aberystwyth) #699
1. Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high: hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life be past; safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last.
2. Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee; leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me! All my trust on thee is stayed; all my help from thee I bring; cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.
3. Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cleanse from every sin; let the healing streams abound, make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee: spring thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.
Words: Charles Wesley
(There is an additional verse in the video that is not included in The Hymnal 1982)
Click here for Sunday's Lectionary Readings Have you ever been to a service or concert in a church in the evening? Did you notice the way the light changes in the stained glass windows? At first, the light of the sun shines through the windows into the church. But as the sun sets, the windows slowly go dark. Of course, they haven't really gone dark - they're just shining the other way now. You can still see the beauty of the colors and images, you just have to go outside to see it. In today's readings, we have two different stories about shining faces and transformative mountaintop experiences. In the Gospel, we read the story of Christ's Transfiguration. The disciples see Jesus' face and clothing shining and Peter is so overwhelmed that he can only say something ridiculous (Peter should serve as a reminder to us that sometimes the best thing to say is absolutely nothing). In the Old Testament reading, Moses spends time in the presence of God on the mountain and returns to the Israelites with a shining face, and they don't seem to fare much better than Peter. Encountering the light of God transforms us. Maybe you've never left church with your face literally shining, but I hope at some point you have encountered God in a way that has changed you. Which brings me back to the stained glass windows - the sun shines in during the day and our light shines out at night. May the Light of the Son shine into you, so that when the darkness comes, you can shine out to the world. Amen. Closing hymn: Christ is the World's True Light (Tune: St. Joan) #542 1. Christ is the world’s true light, Its Captain of salvation, The Day-star clear and bright Of every race and nation; New life, new hope awakes, For all who own his sway; Freedom her bondage breaks, And night is turned to day. 2. In Christ all races meet, Their ancient feuds forgetting, The whole round world complete, From sunrise to its setting: When Christ is throned as Lord, Men shall forsake their fear, To ploughshare bear the sword, To pruning-hook the spear. 3. One Lord, in one great Name Unite us all who own thee; Cast out our pride and shame That hinder to enthrone thee; The world has waited long, Has travailed long in pain; To heal its ancient wrong, Come, Prince of Peace, and reign. (Words: George Wallace Briggs)
