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

July 8, 2024 — suggested reading: Psalm 105:16 – 106:48

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times. Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you deliver them; that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory in your heritage.” Psalm 106:1-5

The early church used the Psalms both as liturgical materials in early Christian worship, and as a theological resource for teaching. Evidence for the first use is found in Paul’s advice to the Colossians, that they were to “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”  As one commentary puts it: “The book of Psalms is quoted and alluded to in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book.” (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IV)

I think it is difficult for us to look at the Psalms as exclusively liturgical material for several reasons. First of all the Psalms are often attributed to an author which comes from the tradition of placing the text into a particular historical context. Does it really matter, after all, if the psalm in question was written by David, or some other Old Testament character? I would say no to that question – but it does help when we consider the Psalm as it relates to other Old Testament texts. In fact, we use the Psalm in our liturgy to support the Old Testament reading. And second, the Psalms are often one of the first readings I turn to at a funeral, or at the bedside of someone who is dying. The words of the Psalms bring comfort where simple contemporary poetry will not.

Whatever is determined by scholars about the authorship of the material, the psalms are a great source of liturgical poetry and words of meditation and comfort. For these reasons, and many others, we should study them as often as possible.

Pastor Dave