Welcome on this
wonderful day. We have so much to be grateful for! The phrases “Do not be afraid” and “Peace be
with you” are repeated more often than any other phrase in scripture. Today as we listen to the readings let’s go a
little deeper into these holy words and see what else Jesus has to say about
fears and living in peace.
Peace Prayer
Close your eyes and
be in the present moment in the presence of the Divine Beloved. Notice your
breath and breath in and out slowly and deeply. Be aware of this life-giving
breath. Stay with the breath and let peace enfold around you. In this moment,
no anxieties can reside. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly with gratitude for
this moment of peace. Extend your peace to everyone gathered in the circle
wishing them this wellness of life. In your mind’s eye embrace the person on
your right with a hug of blessing for peace. Now bring into your mine’s eye the
person on your left. Embrace him or her with a hug of blessing for peace. Come
back to yourself and this space now with only the present moment of all-encompassing
love.
Opening Song:
Berakah, the Blessing by Jan Novotka
A reading from the
letter of the Philippians
Rejoice in the Holy
One always! I say it again Rejoice! Let everyone see your forbearing spirit.
God is with us. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds, instead present your
needs to the Holy One, giving thanks for all circumstances. Then God’s own
peace which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and
mind.
These are the
inspired words of Paul a disciple of Jesus and we affirm them by saying:
Amen
A Reading from the
Gospel of Thomas
There was a rich
person who had a great deal of money. He said, “I shall invest my money so that
I may sow, reap, plant, and fill my storehouses with produce, that I may lack
nothing.” These were the things he was thinking in his heart, but that very night
he died.
These are the
inspired words of Thomas a disciple of Jesus, and we affirm them by
saying: AMEN.
Kathie’s
Homily Reflection:
The
Gospel parable that we just heard is the same parable that is heard in many
Christian Churches this morning. This
parable, however, is taken from the Gospel of Thomas instead of the Gospel
of Luke. Thomas was a writer who was
more of a minimalist. He wrote what he
remembered Jesus said and did not embellish or add further explanations. He had
a ‘less is more’ style of writing. If you
read the Luke gospel the same parable is about a farmer who builds bigger barns
so he can store away his fortune for the future. Like the investor in the Thomas gospel, Luke’s
farmer dies before he can make use of his fortune. The Jesus seminar scholars concluded that
both parables were very likely taught by Jesus.
My guess is that Jesus was teaching two different crowds and made his
point first to a group of business people, and then later to a group of
farmers.
This
morning let’s imagine Jesus is teaching specifically to us in our present day
circumstances. Most of us are storing up for the future, or worried if we are not
storing up for the future. Retirement
funds, the stock market, 401k’s, we are taught the earlier we start saving the
better, and saving is better late than never.
We worry
and fret exactly like the farmer with his barns and the investor with his
money. 2000 plus years later we are still the same. Worries and anxieties about the future seem to
be part of our human nature.
Years
ago the church recited a prayer during Mass that ended with “free us from all
anxiety.” This prayer was followed by
the “sign of peace.” While offering the
sign of peace to our neighbors in the pew we briefly left our anxiety behind. Offering
peace to one another brings us to the present moment. Here at the Upper Room each week our opening
peace prayer calls us to let go of worries and anxiety and be in the present
moment.
Peace
comes to us in the present. Peace is in
the moment. Anxiety and worries are found and held in the future and we easily
lose our inner peace when we go out to the future.
In 2007 I
read the book The Shack, the movie came out last year or the year
before. In the book, God the
Father, who happened to be an African American woman, told the main character,
Mack, that our anxiety and worries can be overwhelming because we are either
living in the past or imagining the future. She reminded Mack, She is no longer in the past, nor is She yet
in the future. She is only in the
present -standing with us, holding us-loving us in the present moment. The Holy One is in this present moment. We are free from anxiety when we live in the
present with the Holy One.
Remember
I asked us to imagine Jesus teaching us?
It just so happens that after he told his listeners to stop worrying
about the future and live in the present, Jesus continued his teaching by asking
his listeners to look around at
creation- look at the lilies of the field-how beautiful they are-look at the
birds of the air, they don’t plant or harvest, or save money yet the Holy One
feeds them, cares for them, and loves them- all of creation lives in the
present moment and trusts because all of creation experiences the Holy One in
the present. Jesus invites us today to
look around and see the wonder of creation and live in the present with the
Holy One.
What did
you hear? How will it change you? What will you do?
Communion Song: You Can Relax Now by
Shaina Noll
Closing Song: Be light for our eyes by David Hass
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