July 22, 2024    1 Kings  2:12 – 3:28     Acts  19:21 – 41      

“When David’s time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, “I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you’re made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, ‘If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you’ll always have a successor on Israel’s throne.’” 1 Kings 2:1-4 (The Message)

As David gives advice to his son Solomon, we hear the words that many a father has said to his son: “Stay on the straight and narrow path, listen to what G-d is telling you, and most of the time things will be good for your journey”. Getting on well in whatever you do and wherever you go does not mean that there will not be the occasional trip, stumble, or even crash. There are plenty of stories from the Bible describing the unfortunate happenings in the life of faithful people. David is not telling Solomon that life is guaranteed to be rosy and full of sunshine – none of us are promised that. What we are promised is a relationship with G-d through Jesus that cannot be taken from us. We might turn our backs on G-d once in a while – but Jesus is always there to welcome us home. And when the train of life falls off the tracks, Jesus still has our backs and will be a sustaining and strengthening presence.

Pastor Dave

July 21, 2024 – Pentecost +9B

“The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.” Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Look, when I go away on vacation or some destination tour, my family knows that I have a sign I will give them when I have reached my limit — my limit of walking and browsing — I sit down. It is my signal to everyone with me that I am done for the immediate moment. It is not a sign of weakness — it is a plea for help. It was my plea to others that I could not go on anymore.

Which brings me to another question:

Do we recognize when others are sending out a plea for help? Do we care if we see others who have obviously slipped down their continuum? Again, because life is so busy today, we can often get too tied-up in our own needs to be aware of the others around us. Look at the people of Gennesaret — look how they begin to scramble to get their neighbors and friends to Jesus when they realize he is there. Jesus’ comments about the people looking like sheep without a shepherd was more about those who were present for the feeding of the 5000 than the people in Gennesaret — but the image works in both situations. There are times when we all feel like sheep — wandering around — looking for food — looking for guidance — looking for help. And, my friends, it is also easy to follow the wrong shepherd.

Every Sunday — Jesus offers time for rest — for reflection — and time for spiritual recharging. It is through the Sacraments of Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion where we receive Grace — the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. All of us, here gathered together, strangers and friends, family and foe — we have gathered around the waters of baptism and the bread and wine of communion to receive the forgiveness of sins, so we can go forward refreshed and renewed to face another week of draining work and confrontations with sin and evil.

Pastor Dave