Reflection from your Co-Pastors
August 13, 2020
Ezekiel 12: 1-12
Psalm 78: 56-59, 61-62
Matthew 18:21-19:1
God tells Ezekiel in today's first reading that the house of Israel is a rebellious house. The psalmist chimes in saying they tested God, rebelled against God, and did not observe God's decrees. They were faithless like their ancestors and provoked God to anger. Yet, in spite of this, Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that we must forgive. Forgive these stiff-necked, hard-hearted folks, who continue to disobey the Word of God. And forgive not just seven times but seventy-seven times!
How are we doing in regard to following God's decrees and forgiving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we like the King in today's Gospel who has compassion for his slave and forgives him his entire debt?
Or do we continue to hold on to our grudges and withhold forgiveness from those who have wronged us? Jesus tells us the Kin-dom of heaven is like the King who forgives the huge debt that his slave owes him because he has compassion for him.
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How hard is it for each of us to offer compassion and forgiveness to another?
I always think of particular stories when I hear of forgiveness. I think of Jesus on the cross saying "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34) and I also think of Nelson Mandela forgiving his captors who enslaved him unjustly for 30 years. The Kin-dom of heaven requires this level of forgiveness and compassion over and over again, one to another, because we are humans who err, either intentionally or unintentionally, and these errors demand us to show forgiveness of each other rather than reprimand and punishment.
What small step can you take today to offer mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, so that the Kin-dom of God can move one step closer to us on earth?
AMEN
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Our Service Recordings and More
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During the service we honored Bishop William J Barber, II, a minister and political activist. Rev. Barber is working to turn the tide against systemic racism, systemic poverty and ecological devastation and could open people's eyes to the heretical nationalistic evangelism. Listen to these powerful speeches. |
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Community Prayer Requests
Please pray for -
The peaceful repose of the soul of David Heyman and comfort for his wife, MaryAnne, and their family.
Jim DeMuth and family for the loss of his sister, Pat DeMuth. For Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Dona Bosse - community member. Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane.
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean. .
For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage and other videos are located here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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