We will once again be in RED to show our solidarity with those who mourn the losses due to radical violence. This is not so much about gun control as it is the abuse of any means to do harm to another human being. What do we learn from all of this.....? Look to those who are reaching out to bring societies of people together. Black, Blue, White..... ALL lives matter. There is no differentiation! We must take action to show the love that is in us to bring our communities together. We will be in red again this Sunday....
I invite you to include these prayers in your personal prayers:
For Peace
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
For our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God our deliverer, gather our horror and pity for the death of those in Orlando, Minneapolis, Baton Rouge, Dallas and now Kansas City into the compass of your wisdom and strength, that through the night we may seek and do what is right, and when morning comes trust ourselves to your cleansing justice and new life; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
The greatest commandment is still our mainstay through all this violence and mayhem.... I refuse to let these events deter our call to love our neighbor...
On a much lighter side: With the new electronic-media craze going on with Pokemon-go, we welcome all who might visit our church, as it is a "go-stop" like many other churches in the program. If you enjoy this and participate in the game (culture), please pass on that all are welcome to visit Church of the Resurrection, especially on Sunday, where they may find a "Game Stop" outside and "JESUS" inside! Spread the word!
Today, Friday July 22, as I write this message, we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Mary's life and transformation is very mis-understood from history through the millennia. She has often been portrayed as a whore and prostitute, and the reason for her encounter with Jesus, when Jesus demanded that the first person without sin be the first to through a stone to stone her to death. Better review of history has identified that Jesus was responsible for casting out many evil spirits associated with her character, none of which identified her as a prostitute. Mary of Magdala near Capernaum was one of several women who followed Jesus and ministered to him in Galilee. The Gospel according to Luke records that Jesus "went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out ... " (Luke 8:1-2). The Gospels tell us that Mary was healed by Jesus, followed him, and was one of those who stood near his cross at Calvary. It is clear that Mary Magdalene's life was radically changed by Jesus' healing. Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of the faithful ministry of women to Christ. All four Gospels name Mary as one of the women who went to the tomb to mourn and to care for Jesus' body. Her weeping for the loss of her Lord strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus' tender response to her grief-meeting her in the garden, revealing himself to her by calling her name-makes her the first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, "Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17). As the first messenger of the resurrection, she tells the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:18). In the tradition of the Eastern Church, Mary is regarded as the equal of an apostle; and she is held in veneration as the patron saint of the great cluster of monasteries on Mount Athos.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary
Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her
to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by
your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and
know you in the power of his unending life; who with you
and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
Praying for peace for all of God's children.....
