Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, 2025

Readings:

Numbers  11, 25-29, Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets.

 Psalm 19,    The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

James 5, 1-6, Come now, You Rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.  

Mark 9, 38-48, If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

                                  Says Harper, "Hi Folks, Welcome in."

Numbers:  observation 

In this reading, from the Torah, the Book of Moses, we are given a wonderful example of the expectation of the OT for the coming of the Messiah. It will be fulfilled by Christ, upon whom the Spirit rests, when he and his Father bestow the gift of the Spirit upon all who welcome, live, and proclaim the good news.

Genevieve, too, says, "Good Morning, Everybody, Welcome in."

Homily by Mike

In our gospel reading, John and other of the disciples had been building a barrier between themselves and the flock without realizing it, for they assumed that the Spirit was only going to rest upon them to bring forgiveness to others.  Jesus corrects them. 

All have a responsibility to sow the seed of the good news by word and example. Jesus continually taught those who were following him not to form barriers that would keep them from being one body.

                     Cole, The Candle Man of the Week, at work.

Recall Paul’s letter to the Galatian church, ‘There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female for all are one in Christ Jesus.  Recall that in Advent and Lent we, each of us, live out our gift and responsibility to bring forgiveness to one another; for we are the body of Christ.

The Jewish dietary laws were a barrier between Jew and gentile. It kept them from eating together. So Jesus said to the Jews, ‘Its not what goes into the mouth that defiles; it’s what comes out of the mouth that defiles. In so doing he made all food clean.  When does he tear down this barrier in the Gospel?  Right before he invites both Jew and gentile to eat together at the table of the Lord.

Say the twins, Buddy & Victoria, "Happiness is a cupcake on my birthday, yippee."

All the early followers of Christ were Jews, and they did not even talk to Samaritans.  Early in the John gospel Jesus’ disciples go into town for food and leave him at a well in Samaria. There is a barrier between Jews and Samaritans.  They didn’t talk to one another. 

When the disciples return, they see him sharing his good news to a Samaritan woman.   Jesus lives the truth that God has no favorites. Jesus simply says to his disciples that they must be about sowing the seed of his word and reaping where he has already sown.  Immediately the Samaritan woman begins to give witness in the town that Jesus is a prophet.  And, maybe, he is the Messiah. 

Cupcakes of the Week to Cole and Brent for special services.

Recall the tax collector who climbs the tree in his interest to see Jesus come into Jericho. Jesus looks up and invites Zacchaeus to come down so that he can eat at his house that day.  The seed sown during lunch brought another into the flock.

Jesus’ disciples were Jews who saw the Romans as beasts.  There are several stories in the Gospel about Jesus befriending a Roman Centurion.  In each of them, Jesus tore down the barriers between them by sowing kindness, and goodness and forgiveness.  

                                   Georgie helping out.

Recall the story about the man who had committed serious sin in the Mark gospel.  So much so, that the Jews would not forgive him, rather they expel him from their community.  He comes to Jesus saying, ‘If you want to, you can make me clean.’ Jesus took his hand and replied, ‘Of course I want to, be made clean.”  He again tears down barriers; and he expects us to do the same. 

                                 
The Team at the elevation.

Whenever we isolate ourselves from others, we deny them the opportunity to become one with us.  Take the opportunity this week to welcome or become closer to your neighbors this week, especially the newer ones.  They were meant to be your brothers and sisters.

     Says Genevieve, "May I have that mike, I would like to talk."

With the exception of John, in Jennings, LA to visit his sister, the whole gang is back, yeah.

Readings:

Genesis  18, 1-10,  Sarah will have a son (at 90!)

Psalm 15,  He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord

Colossians 1, 24-28,  I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.

Luke 10, 38-42, "Lord, do you not care that my sister…

A great sister act.

Observation on Genesis:

I would laugh at the editor who selected this passage about Abraham and Sarah, his wife.  He leaves out the punch line, a most relevant fact coloring this passage.  Namely, Sarah is 90 and Abraham 100.  Why was this not mentioned?

Genesis, by the way is the first book of the bible and a fun read, especially if you can appreciate it as fable & not factual history.  Don't go looking for the Ark, like you read about periodically.

Buddy  reading the Summer Blessing of the Candles.

Observation on Paul writing to the Colossians:

This version of Paul makes me want to pull out the violins and weep for the poor man.  Which, I guess, is the intention Paul is working with.  A poor me presentation.  The goal: get the readers to get up off their behind and get to work, like Paul is doing.

Shonda & Ben, The Best, minus David riding RAGBRAI with Dana, his daughter.

Ragbrai Spirit : People are Good

It’s Ragbrai (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa)  week, Folks.  At this moment bikers (including David & Dana) are arriving at Council Bluffs on the MO River prepared to set out this morning, heading ultimately next Saturday to Keokuk, where Mike &  Judy grew up on the MS River.  I should be there.

What kind of trouble are these 4 up to??

Along the way the bikers will walk (too crowded to ride) through achingly beautiful little towns with glorious Victorian houses, tree lined streets, delightful town parks, and welcoming people.  Plus a gazillion vendors. 

Let me give you two vignettes that reflect the spirit of Ragbrai. 

One early afternoon I am riding over some medium level hills.  They were a work out.  At one point starting to climb I run up behind a tricycle, one wheel in front of two & a bench.  Seated on the bench was an elderly guy and a young woman.  The woman is pumping them up the hill. 

I think to myself, This hill is going to really discourage that woman.  So I ride to the top, drop my bike, and run back down to find two other young guys with the same idea .  We all three joined in and pushed that woman and her father right up to the top.

Cody, I have not seen Ben in a couple of summer months and when he came in this morning I did not recognize him.  He's grown a foot.

I hopped on my bike and as I went down the hill I realized another hill was coming up.  To this day I can only hope other people stopped to push that lady & her dad up what turned out to be a series of serious hills.  I would expect they did help.

I have already mentioned here that my most favorite vendor was the home made pie & ice cream stop, always on the right hand shoulder, always in the afternoon (at least for me).  I mentioned how once when I forgot my money, Hanc, a good kid I would see every year, he served me anyway.

On another occasion I was in line at the pie selections tables when a lady behind me realized she did not have enough.  Naturally I staked her and told her to forget it. 

And the same with your pretty daughter Olivia.  She has so grown up this Summer.

A day or two later I am sitting on a park bench in a beautiful park.  I am looking at a band stand, the bikers’ road, and a gorgeous river.   Behind me is the whole rest of the park with bikers everywhere.   Everybody is just enjoying the beauty.

Suddenly a tap on my shoulder.  The lady from the Amish pie & ice cream stand hands me the money I loaned or really gave her.  She said thanks and disappeared in the throng of people lying around.   To say the least I was stunned and touched, and reminded again of how good people are. 

This year I will not join the 20 to 30 thousand riders doing the 500 more or less miles.  The people spirit stays with me.

Today' Communion team, Cheryl, Patricia, Mike, & Claire.

Readings:                          

Isaiah   66,  10-14,  Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad.  

Psalm 66,  Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Galatians 6, 14-18,     Peace and mercy be all who follow.

Luke 10, 1-12, 17-20,  The kingdom of God is at hand.

Says Dana, "Good Morning, Everybody, welcome in."
 

Readings observations: 

Isaiah 66:  This is the very last chapter of  The Great Isaiah, so you can guess it is upbeat and hopeful for the future.  The Israeli people have just returned from the Babylonian Captivity to discover a totally destroyed Jerusalem.  It will get better, he says, rejoice.

Psalm 66:  66 seems to be the number this week.  

Also, these two readings talking about joy and rejoicing are so apt for our July 4 celebration.  I want to talk about July 4.

Our Community mascot Mr. Gorilla, likewise, says, "Come in, You All."

Happy July 4

It is July 4 time and I would like to talk this morning about why I am happy to be an American.  I was sharing my ideas with Rosemary, an advantage to being a married priest (or maybe not), and she said, “Can’t you find reasons a little more dramatic, a little more universal?”  So, my reasons are just my own homey variety. 

I do claim a certain unique perspective because of living in East Africa for about 10 years.  I admit there were a few occasions when I was grateful I had the American embassy as a refuge in case I got into some trouble.  I can certainly remember looking at the American flag flying over the embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and being grateful and thinking, ‘Yes, that’s my country.”

Sez Sir Charlie to Kevin, "Kevin, wouldn't you like to buy cheap my almost  new, beautiful, smooth running Studebaker?"

So, here are 3 reasons why I am delighted to be an American this summer.   Natural beauty and people beauty with two parts.

First, the natural beauty.  There certainly are beautiful places in East Africa, for instance.  Like Kilimanjaro, which I climbed 5 times & the Serengeti game park.  Likewise, in Italy, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, even Rome. 

The Best Music, Bethany and David.

In the States we have the Rockies of CO, Grand Canyon, the beaches, like Gulf Shores, AL.  For me, there is nothing better than Yosemite.   But, you say, I live in Dallas.  Beware there is natural beauty here, too.  Try White Rock Lake, try the White Rock Creek trail.  I ride this trail and wonder sometimes, ‘Am I truly in Dallas,’ it is so wild and wooded. 

A few weeks ago, thanks to the Collin Classic bike rally, I just discovered in Plano the Oak Point Park.  Is this really Dallas?

I love the natural beauty we have in America.

The Offertory Crew, Laura (whom I knew when she was a nice little girl), Sandra, and Ann.

Then there is the people beauty.   Don’t laugh.  I propose the trustworthiness of people. 

Want to see an amazing phenomenon?   Park yourself on a corner of one of the small towns we will pass through in three weeks on the bike rally through Iowa.  You will see maybe more than a thousand bikes hitched to parking cables and lying on the ground, not one with a lock. 

I park in front of a grocery store, put my helmet on the handle bar, walk in, get what I want, and return to my unlocked bike. 

Today's community.

Want to see another phenomenon?  The hospitality of people.  Join me to ride the Hotter ‘n Hell Hundred the end of August.   There are 10 rest stops, like every 10 miles.  Each stop is loaded with bushels of volunteers overflowing with hospitality. 

I have my two favorites, 30 and 75.  At the 30 mile there is a group of elderly ladies (maybe many younger than I) who personally bake dozens of 6 varieties of cookies.  They positively blow me away and every year I tell them they are my favorite stop of all. 

Richard, this Bellvita goes to Carol with an abundance of love and powerful karma on her birthday, that she does well with the chemo beginning Friday.

What are you proud about this year?

Happy July 4.

Today's team.  All the world is on vacation this week, and certainly all our kids.  

Readings:

Isaiah, 56, 1, 6-7,  My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples

Psalm 67,  Oh, God let all the nations praise you.

Romans  11, 13-15, 29-32,  The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 

Matthew 15, 21-28,   Woman, great is our faith!  Let it be done for you as you wish.

The Netherlands

Thanks to the Team

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers,  Hue & Georgie , & Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel & Homily,  John Cade 

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers, Mike (on vacation) & Richard, Tom, Ben & Hue 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

Please Remember these special people:

For our Bill & his family,   For Becky's dad discovered with the virus;  For Cindy recuperating at home, finally!;    For Esparzas, Frank & Mary,  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, Woodlands,  For Joe Hogan with cancer;  For Loretta's aunt Alicia;    For Sydney;  & For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody & Ben & all of Shonda's dear family;   for Michelle;  for Bill Ekes' longtime buddy, Bobby Duncan, who just passed to the other side.

For Jackie's mom;  For a friend, a neighbor, & a doctor, Karen, with brain cancer; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free;    For Hue;  For John O'Donnell;    For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey

Look carefully, you may see Mike.  Buena Vista, Cascade Falls

Download Readings Week 8-16

Homily 08/16/20,    20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Two things:

First, Readings 1 and 2 speak the same truth, that, whether you are an insider or an outsider, you are welcome as God’s people.                  Second, in the Gospel story, even if you are an outsider, you and your sorrow, your pain, are fully understood.  

The first two readings speak about insiders and outsiders.  First reading is from Isaiah Ch 56.  [Recall what

John Stack has said about the 3 authors of Isaiah Ch 1-39, 40-55, 56-64.]  Here Isaiah says, whether you are one of the chosen Jewish people (an insider), or a non-Jewish foreigner (an outsider), is not the point; it’s what you do, how you live your life, that identifies you as God’s people, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

In Romans, Paul says: Neither the non-Jewish Gentiles converting to Christianity (outsiders), nor the Jewish people, including Jewish followers of Jesus (insiders)—neither had an advantage over the other.  God welcomes all.  It’s not where you come from but what you do, how you live your life, that identifies you as God’s people.

The second amazing Good News is in Matthew’s story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman (Canaanite, yep, that would make her an outsider).   It wasn’t so much what Matthew said about the disciples being such unhelpful dorks…is Matthew using sarcasm here? (See Gospel language).  This story is embedded in a whole string of stories about Jesus caring for people in need, in pain.  E.g. in the same Chapter Matthew says Jesus “was very deeply moved by the sick among them”, that he saw the hungry and fed them, that he saw the disciples’ fear in a storm and calmed them.

And immediately after today’s story of the Canaanite woman, Matthew tells how the crowds brought the lame, the blind, the mute; and Jesus said, “My heart goes out to them.”  Matthew strings all these stories together as one, to say God gets it, God gets you and me, understands our needs and pain. God’s Spirit is with us in our fear, our sorrow, our pain. 

Recently, I experienced some of what the Canaanite woman was going through.  We have a daughter, Joey (age 46), who gave her consent to speak about it.  She told us this past week that she has breast cancer and the initial treatment will be major surgery.  My family and I are in shock and pain.  I know from today’s readings that my part is not to be strong or aloof, but to be accepting, understanding and caring; most of all, to be present. 

Remember ……

All three Bible stories today have similar messages:  First, whoever we are and wherever we come from, we are God’s people—totally accepted, come-on-in accepted. 

And second, whoever we are and wherever we come from, we are understood, cared for and loved unconditionally.  God is present with us.  Every one of us.

My question: When did you last see and know that you are accepted, understood, loved unconditionally?  And when did you last accept, understand, love another unconditionally?                                       

A note from John Cade:

In the summer of 1956, when still in the seminary, I spent a week at the Trappist monastery north of Atlanta, outside Conyers Georgia.  I got to experience how Trappist monks end every single day, expressing their devotion to Mary, Jesus’ mother—a hundred men standing together and chanting in Latin, Salve Regina, Hail Holy Queen.  August 15^th is one of the days we have traditionally honored Mary.  I will chant this hymn in her honor at the end of Sunday Mass.

Birthdays:    Last Week,  Carrie Bieda, 62;   Stephen Farmer, 30; Marlene; Richard has a new grandbaby, Madeline, & Mom is Cary

This Week. Haya from the JCC , 6:00 A.M. Spin Class, 82, Rose Banzhaf

Anniversaries: 

Last Week.  Mary Hall & Dave, 60 years;   John & Jean O'Donnell, 62nd;  Ryan McClurg & Grace, 7th, 

This Week:  Bernadette & Gilbert  

From mountain stream to desert rock.

Community Finances, August 16, 2020

Expenses: $600.00  

Outreach   $100.00    (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.

As of September 1, Rosemary & I will have a new address,   7017 Helsem Way, Dallas 75230.   This enclave has TREES, unlike our poor, dear, tornado battered Preston Hollow neighborhood.

Cindy Cramer is home!  Hooray!

On Thursday, August 13, 2020, 12:52:06 PM CDT, Cathy Cramer <catcramer@gmail.com> wrote:

Great news, everyone — my mom is home!

She's tired and still has some recovery ahead of her. She asked that you hold phone calls for a few days until she gets back into some semblance of a routine.

This will be my last email to y'all. Thanks again so much for all your love, support, and prayers!

Love,

Cathy

Rosemary's Blessing:

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

This is to have succeeded.

Success – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Readings:

Ezekiel  17,  22-24.  Nope, actually a change this Sunday to 1 Corinthians 13.  Bet you cannot guess which great passage this it.

Psalm 92,    Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

2 Corinthians 5, 6-10,   We are always courageous.

Mark  4, 26-34,  On its own accord, the land yields fruit.

The Wedding in Mechanicsburg, PA with Sarah & Beth, and the United Church of Christ ministers, Karin and John.

Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is accepting

This morning I would like to talk about some things that struck me about the wedding we performed last week in Mechanicsburg, PA.  As I’ve mentioned, the wedding was between two women.

About 14 years ago I performed the wedding of Beth to a neat guy named Doug, a stocky Greek.  They had only been married 6 months when Doug died of a heart attack.  Beth is Rosemary’s niece, the daughter of Joe & Claire, who live in Hilton Head, where Rosemary & I love to go for Thanksgiving. 

                   The 3 Sisters, Rosemary, Patty, and Claire.
 

Beth decided to stay in the house she and Doug owned and stay in her job.  During the next few years she got involved with a very open United Church of Christ.  Sarah played the organ.  They got together and developed a warm friendship.  Eventually this lead to their marriage last Saturday. 

I don’t know how you all feel about same sex marriages.  I personally would have loved to sit down with Beth and have her tell me how it all came about, first marrying a guy, now marrying her best friend.  Whatever, I did not have the chance.  However, I am convinced from all my years of experience with gay people as a priest and a psychotherapist that no gay person really chooses this path.  I have worked with so many who agonized over coming out.  It involves hatred and abuse, even from family members.

Cupcake of The Week to Georgie for the do.  "I may tease you, Georgie, about the do, but I admire your spirit of exploration. Keep it up.  Keep dancing.  And keep swimming

The first thing that struck me at the wedding.  Did you recognize the 1 Corinthians passage?  I confess that after performing so many weddings where I heard the passage read, I eventually was put off by it.  Until a few years ago.  I suddenly realized it is helpful for me to be reminded of what love really is. 

At the wedding I heard Beth’s sister read the passage with such feeling and tears that I and lots more of the 200 more or less people there, we were all in tears.  Kristine herself took 30 minutes because she was in tears.   I was so touched and so struck.

                                                      What a team.

The second thing that struck me was the cordiality and warmth of the present pastor, John, and the previous interim pastor, Karin.  I thanked them and told them how I sensed a kinship of spirit among us. 

Karin was the one who suggested we go bare footed as a sign of respect for the sanctuary where we were performing the wedding.   It was a first for me.  Should I do the same here?

                  Zoe & Buddy say, "Hey, don't forget about us."

The final thing that struck me was the whole hearted acceptance of Beth on the part of, not only her parents, but all the McGinn Clan.  Rosemary had 3 brothers and two sisters.  One brother died a few years ago.  All these siblings have kids and all of them were there, most of them with their kids.  Their support was total. 

Kristine’s reading about love being patient & kind, the pastors John & Karin, and the total McGinn family acceptance of Beth.  A powerful, moving weekend. 

Where are you on the whole phenomenon of same sex marriages?