6/28/26

Homily: Just a cup of cold water...

Above you'll find a video of my homily for Sunday, June 28. (If you don't find a video, click here!) Here's the gospel on which my homily is based and below you'll find the text of my homily.

 

Perhaps the most important word in the gospel we just heard is: WHOEVER. 

Jesus says some very strong things here…

 

He calls us to love him - more than we love our mother and father… and to love him more than we love our own sons and daughters.

 

And he calls us to take up whatever might be the cross (or crosses) in our lives and to carry them, to deal with them, to work with them: honestly, generously, and lovingly.

 

And whom does he call to do all of this? WHOEVER.

All of us.

He calls WHOEVER would be his disciple.

 

Your very presence here this morning tells me, tells the Lord, that YOU want to be his disciple. He asks all this of:

 

   WHOEVER asks for God's mercy to forgive our sins, great and smooth;

 

   WHOEVER pleads for God's healing touch in those places where we find ourselves wounded and hurt;

 

   WHOEVER longs for some peace, some joy, in the midst of loneliness and suffering, and pain;

 

   WHOEVER desires to know the truth, in the midst of doubt and confusion, whoever reaches out for courage and strength in the midst of fatigue and weakness. 

 

   WHOEVER prays for God's help and grace in the midst of worry and trouble;

 

   WHOEVER desires life – forever - in heaven - with God.

  

    WHOEVER… and that includes, of course, all of us.

 

And that's not even ALL he asks of us.

Jesus also calls me to be willing to lose my life for his sake, to be willing

   to give up,

   to give away,

   to let go,

   to sacrifice,

   to distance myself from,

   to disengage from

      anyone or anything

   that might come between me and my God.

 

And THAT'S not all!

 

Jesus calls me to welcome the PROPHET. And let's be clear here. Jesus isn't talking about somebody who tells the future. No. In the scriptures, the prophet is the one who stands up and speaks the truth about – now; about the moment we're in. The prophet is the one who speaks the truth that no one really wants to hear. And the prophet speaks it when no one wants to hear it. The prophet is anyone who holds up a mirror in which we see the truth of who we are - and who we are not. The prophet is the one who says OUT LOUD what many are afraid to admit… or acknowledge - or even whisper.

 

The prophet is the one who tenderly COMFORTS THE AFFLICTED, and who boldly AFFLICTS THE COMFORTABLE. All for the sake of, in the name of  - God.

 

And THAT’S not all!

 

Jesus calls all of us (WHOEVER) to all of this - all of the time. There is no vacation for whoever might call herself, might call himself a follower of Jesus. There's no time off. We're called to give of ourselves at all times. Whenever we see or meet or discover a brother, or sister, or neighbor: alone, or in need, in need of our presence, our help, our love. ---  Even, says Jesus, even if that's only someone who's thirsty for a cold cup of water…

 

And when Jesus gets that specific, we need to pay attention. He's not writing a point-by -point handbook for discipleship here. What he IS doing is setting a standard, a high standard, a demanding standard, a standard against which we are called to measure our lives as his disciples.  WHOEVER would follow Jesus is called - in big ways and small ways - to lay down their life for others. WHOEVER… and that means all of us here this morning: you and me.

 

Sometimes, the scriptures’ message is a hard saying - and that's what we have today. And there's no way for me to, responsibly or neatly, tie all this up and make it something simple. It isn't. It's hard.

 

So let me suggest that there are two ways we might respond to Jesus' words here.

       - I can either measure my life by his words, 

            see how incredibly far I fall short - 

                and give up. 

          Too much! Can't do it!

OR...

 

        - I can measure my discipleship by his words,

               see where I don't measure up - 

           and pledge, beginning now, this morning, 

               here in St. Ann Church 

           pledge to make a conscious effort 

                in the week ahead 

                    - to lose myself for his sake... 

In the week ahead, to pledge, to be willing

   to give up,

   to give away,

   to let go,

   to sacrifice,

   to distance myself from,

   to disengage from

      anyone or anything

   that might come between me and my God.

 

I’d like to let you know that you're a preacher this morning - as he wrote those words - I'll tell you exactly what came to my mind. So I'm wondering - rhetorical question - what came to your mind about what you might need or be willing to give up, give away, let go, sacrifice, disengage from, distance yourself from anyone or anything in your life. that might be coming between you and your God.

 

And if THAT’S too daunting… how about this?

 

Could we think about losing at least a LITTLE more of myself in the week ahead - than I did in the week this past? To lose a LITTLE more of myself: for his sake, for the sake of my neighbor, for my own sake - for the sake of my relationship with Jesus - as my hope, for life, forever, with him in heaven.

 

And if THAT’S too daunting, then just try to keep your eyes open this week, and look for someone who's thirsty…   

    Someone who's thirsty for some company, 

        for some help, some assistance… 

    Someone who's thirsty for some support… 

    Someone who's thirsty for a kind word… 

    Someone who's thirsty for you… 

 

And then...  

    find a way to give that one person 

        - a cup of cold water.

  

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NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 6/28


On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight we'll pick up the theme of welcoming hospitality found in today's first reading and gospel. 

You call me to welcome the stranger,
    to receive the stranger into my heart
because in welcoming the stranger, Lord,
    it's you whom I receive...
 
Then, help me practice, Lord,
    help me practice my welcoming skills,
        - first on those I already know!
For how can I welcome the stranger
    when I'm estranged from family,
        from coworkers and classmates,
            from neighbors just down the street...

Help me humbly learn to welcome, Lord: 
    the folks I know who tick me off,
    light my fuse,
    grind my gears
    and always push my buttons...
 
Help me graciously receive the people
    who trouble and annoy me,
    irritate and bother me,
    infuriate and irk me,
    embarrass and disturb me...
 
Help me see, Lord,
    how graciously you welcome me
when I'm estranged from you,
    the One I seek,
        by my failings, faults and sins...  

Let me see how warmly you receive me 
    though I fail to heed your word,
    to follow where you lead,
    to seek your truth and wisdom,
    to love you as I ought,
    to serve you as my God...
 
Even when I sin, Lord,
    your arms are wide open, waiting,
        with mercy and with pardon
    to welcome my return,
        and receive me into your heart...
 
Teach me, Lord, to truly, warmly welcome
    my family, friends and neighbors
for when I'm estranged from them,
    then I'm estranged from you...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
    and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
    and asleep, rest in your peace...
 
Amen.
 
I am so grateful to have found this song!

We Are Called to Welcome Strangers 

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 6/28

Photo by M. Rutledge
 
This strawberry's not quite ripe for picking
but the season's here for this heart-shaped fruit
to journey from farm to table
to garnish my breakfast,
crown a shortcake 
or fill a picnic pie...

A natural work of art, Lord:
this simple, succulent, luscious fruit,
ripening red and juicy,
sweet proof that summer's here...

They say that on average 
a strawberry bears some 200 seeds
(which doesn't sound average at all to me)
but that's your wondrous design, Lord,
for generous, overabundant potential
for new life, growth and joy...
 
And all this makes me wonder, Lord:
how many seeds of burgeoning beauty
are hiding, embedded, deep in my soul?
 
What fruit ripens within me, Lord,
patiently biding its own sweet time,
waiting to garnish my day with joy,
to crown with praise a neighbor's work,
hoping to fill with generous bounty
another's emptiness, wants and needs?
 
Make me grateful for strawberries, Lord
and for all the ways that your love flows
from your heart into mine
and from my heart into others
with summer's sweetened promise 
of a season ripe with grace...

Amen.

  

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6/27/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 6/27

I just read, Lord, that:
    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 
        may marry soon;
    that the event might take place 
        in Madison Square Garden;
    that guests must sign an NDA 
        regards the ceremony's details;
    that this will be
        "the wedding of the century..."
 
Well, Lord,
    I'd like to nominate some other couples
        for the title of "wedding of the century..."
 
I'd like to nominate couples 
    getting married in Ukraine:
couples who promise
    for better or for worse,
    for richer, for poorer,
    in sickness and in health, 
to faithfully love and cherish each other
    in a union that only death may part... 
 
I nominate couples who marry in Ukraine
    and couples  everywhere who marry
         in the shadows of terror and war... 
  
I nominate all those couples 
    whose vows embody a living faith
        our world so desperately needs; 
    whose promises speak an enduring hope
        our world has squandered and lost;
    whose given word unveils a love
        revealing your presence among us... 
 
Such are the "weddings of the century," Lord, 
    disclosing for all to see
that in the end, faith hope and love
    are the gifts that all of us need
and not only then, but even now
    - and especially now - 
            the greatest of these is love...
 
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
    and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen. 
 
The Greatest of These
    by Tina English
   
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If I speak with the tongues of men and angels,
but have not love, I am just noise. 
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and know all knowledge, have all faith,
understand all mysteries, 
or remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing. 

If I give all I have to feed the poor, 
but have not love, 
nothing is gained. 

Love is patient, love is kind, 
Love is patient, love is kind,
love does not brag; and is not arrogant. 
Love is not proud, boastful or rude. 
Love does not seek its own. 

Love rejoices in the truth.
Love rejoices in the truth.
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love bears all things, bears all things,
believes all things, believes all things,
Love hopes all things, Love hopes all things,
endures all things. 

These three remain; faith, hope, and love. 
But the greatest of these is love. 
The greatest of these is love.
The greatest of these is love.  

  

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 6/27

This morning I'm posting a quote which has frequently appeared on social media and in several different versions. It's source is unknown.

I offer it here as a kind of examination of conscience - for everyone - for all of us.  In light of that, please refrain from commenting unless you care to share with all of us how you have been guilty of the transgressions outlined in this quote.

Having an opinion is human. 
Disagreeing is natural. 
We were never meant to all 
think, see, or believe the same,
in the same way, at the same time. 
That's what makes conversations powerful 
and growth possible. 
However, what's not okay 
is attacking someone's character 
just because their perspective challenges yours. 
What's also not okay 
is confusing disrespect with strength. 
You can stand firm in what you believe 
without tearing someone else down. 
You can speak your truth 
without silencing someone else's. 
Maturity isn't about winning arguments; 
it's about keeping your integrity 
when it would be easier to be cruel. 
Respect should never go out of style, 
yet somehow, it's one thing 
our society is running low on. 
Different views need not divide us 
- but disrespect always does. 


  

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6/26/26

NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 6/26



As the sun sets, Lord,
   and evening breezes stir;
when clouds begin to disappear
   and darkness settles in
I'm wondering:
   how'd I spend my day?
What words of mine now echo
   in the hearts of friends and family?

What assistance did I offer
   to others in their need?

What time did I spend
   alone, with you, in prayer?

What comfort did I give
    in healing, grace and mercy?

What openness was mine
   to the gifts you sent my way?

What steps did I take
   to reconcile with others?

What silence did I seek
   to listen for your voice?

What effort did I make
   to accept my neighbor's help?

What risk did I take
  to be loyal to my faith?

What time did I spend
   just for others, not for me?

What peace might now be mine
   because I walked this day with you?
As the sun sets, Lord,
   and evening breezes stir;
when clouds begin to disappear
   and darkness settles in
I'm wondering:
   how'd I spend my day?
 
 Protect me, Lord, as I lie awake,
   and watch over me as I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
   and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.
 
There Is No Greater Love 

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There is no greater love, says the Lord,
than to lay down your life for a friend;
There is no greater love, no greater love,
than to lay down your life for a friend.

1. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. 
    Live on in my love ...

2. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours 
    and your joy may be complete ...

3. You are my friends if you keep my commands; 
    no longer slaves but friends to me ...

4. It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you, 
    chose you to go forth and bear fruit ...

  

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6/25/26

Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 6/26

 
June is a month of special devotion to the Heart of Jesus - as are all Fridays.  Today is the last Friday in June. The inscription on this icon translates: Here is the heart which has loved us so much! 
 
Lord, give me a heart
    to love as you love...
 
give me a heart
    to see as you see...
 
give me a heart
    to forgive others freely...
 
give me a heart
    as deep as your own...
 
give me a heart
    at peace with your word...
 
give me a heart
    for serving the poor...
 
give me a heart
    both generous and kind...
 
give me a heart
    of strength and conviction...

give me a heart 
    of gentle compassion...

give me a heart
    as pure as fresh snow...
 
give me a heart
    courageous and bold...
 
give me a heart
    both simple and humble...
 
give me a heart
    healed by your mercy...

give me a heart
    filled with trust, filled with hope...
 
give me a heart
    to welcome the outcast...

give me a heart
    steeped in your wisdom...
 
give me a heart
    that hungers for truth...
 
give me a heart
    to welcome your Spirit...
 
give me a heart 
    where you are at home...
 
give me a heart
    at home with your own...
 
and give me a heart, Lord,
    to love as you love... 
 
Amen.
 

  

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