To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings 

THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 6.13.21  

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; 

2 Corinthians 5:6-10,[11-13],14-17; Mark 4:26-34

Opening prayer: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The concept of family is the foundation of the Bible, just go back to Genesis and start reading. You will see an image of what we are experiencing today in our own families – strife, dishonesty, dysfunction, and let’s not forget LOVE. Bishop Tutu said ¨You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”  This quote maybe a little difficult to process at once; yet it is true. Psalm 127:3 states “Sons [or children] are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” The is no distinction between how we are brought into the family – by blood or adoption! We are all God’s children, and we belong.

Our Gospel reading today from Mark 3, begins – “The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” It appears that the rumors concerned Jesus’ family. He on the other hand, was not worried about the rumors or what the scribes were saying. Jesus was more focused on the taking care of the people and their need for spiritual nourishment. His love for the people superseded his own need for physical food. 

I believe ‘restrain’ here is more about being cautious. As his family, they probably wanted to tell him to tone down his preaching and actions. What he was saying could impact his whole family. I have no doubt that Mary and the rest of the family loved Jesus very much and just wanted to keep him safe. After all he was Mary’s first born, and very special in many ways. Jesus is God’s gift to you and me! His family was doing what families are expected to do - take care of each other, teach us how live in our community and the world, be socially and politically correct in what we say and do; and help us choose our friends and companions carefully. 

I think they probably forgot that Jesus was the Son of God and was guided by his Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, however, was aware of his purpose and was living into it.  When I hear someone talking negatively about a ‘family’ member or a close friend I warn them to be careful. We heard what the scribes were saying about him…’he has Beelzebul.’ In those day, being labeled as Beelzebul was enough, to get him killed.

In September 1991, when I told a very close sister-friend that I was going to teach in Green Haven maximum security prison for men, she warned me forcefully to not get involved with ‘those men’. She said if I did, she would come from California and break my legs to restrain me so I could not move around. She was willing to go to extreme measures to keep me safe. She was and still is a strong and forceful woman – an ex-Navy officer. I know my friend loved me then and wanted to protect me from the ‘master manipulators’ in an environment that was new and unfamiliar to me. It was not just her loving threat or concern that kept me in line though. I know what happened to the life and career of another teacher who got involved with a resident at the facility. I taught there for 5 years, and during my tenure in the facility, I became family to the men. They protected me in the prison, taught me a lot about life inside the prison walls and how to keep myself safe in the outside world.

On the other hand, in the outside world,… my mother was constantly worried about me. Whenever we talked on the phone she would ask if I found another job, that was less risky and safer. She was as concerned about me as Jesus’ family was, and yours would too, if they thought you were in danger, or I that your actions could get you in trouble or even killed. 

I feel a special layer of confidence when my family supports my choices and decisions. I am also aware that sometimes our ‘calling’ to serve God in the world may seem foolish, irresponsible, and dangerous to our families; just like in Jesus’ case. Nevertheless, we must stay focused on the promise that if we are about God’s business and the Holy Spirt has our backs…. we must move forward despite the name calling and/or lack of support from our families and those who love us. Psalm 138:9 is one of my go-to passages when I feel afraid – “The Lord will make good his purpose for me; O Lord, your love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hand”.

Yes,…..Jesus was getting ready shift and expand our understanding of family obligations. He was fully attentive to the needs of the crowd as they yearned to hear what he had to say. Jesus was and still is the ultimate game changer!   He took a risk in speaking out about the traditional family even when his family insisted on seeing him and sent a message for him to come out to them. His response was gentle, and respectful. “Who are my mother and brothers?” It might appear disrespectful to not go out and see what they wanted. Yet, he was about restructure the old family system to make room for those who were on the margins. Jesus” looked at those who sat around him and said”, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever, does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” What a delightful gift to the crowd as they were welcomed into the family of God. 

Jesus radically changed the concept of family as it was known then. I don’t believe he was disregarding the value and the importance of blood relatives. When I am with my blood family – I feel loved and safe! Our history and dysfunction are protected. I know I am not lost in their memory or forgotten in their prayers and most important – I am never invisible their eyes. Jesus’ words are about looking at the family of God as inclusive – not confining and limiting. (Luke 19:10), ‘For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”, not just those who are blood related but all, all of us need God’s endless and everlasting love. 

Do you remember what Bishop Tutu said, You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”  

I ask you now to look at your own families in the light of what Jesus is saying about the family of God. 

·       What is God’s will for your family? 

·       Have you closed the door on others unintentionally or intentionally? 

·      How have you experienced the family of God Jesus described in our Gospel reading today here at St. Paul’s? (period of silence)

--Shawn Prater-Lee

As more and more people are getting vaccinated against COVID 19 the Bishop has eased some of the restrictions that have affected our worship. Given this the Vestry has decided that starting with the month of June all services (at 10:00am), except for the second Sunday of the month, will be in person and will include singing. We also hope to be able to broadcast the in person service live on our YouTube channel.

The second Sunday of the month will be on Zoom (see below for Zoom link). This allows us to have the coffee hour discussions and to retain those parishioners who are able to only be with us remotely.

All services except for the second Sunday (on Zoom) of the month, will be in person at 10:00am and will include singing.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YOUTUBE CHANNEL  

Total deposits for the past week - $2391 (no money for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who have been generously supporting the Food Pantry.

ST. PAUL’S THANKS YOU!!!  

Tish; Mary Ann; Tommy; Carol; Chris; Sandra; George, Norm; Fr. Tyler & Molly; Janett; Kay, Katherine, Renate; Frank Burnett, Food Pantry Volunteers, victims of Human/Sex Trafficking; Burton family; Lillian, Matthew, Sasha; Joe, G.J., Aleta, Plain family, Melius family; Ibadan Diocese, All Saints' Church, Oni family; Gary, Legend; Rhonda, Joe, Ann, all Teachers, Parents, Students, Theodore, John, Paul, Kathy; Sharon Greene, Owen, Agnes, Norma; McLauren family; Graham family; Wood family; Braxton family; Lori, Steven, Jim, Seth; Phil; All essential workers; Beryl & Glen, Vincent family; George; Daniel Mizell and family; Liz, Martha; Eileen; the Butler, Richards and Barrett families; Fr. Allan and family; St. Paul's Vestry; Darien family; Sherow family; Edna Clarke, Michelle, Kathy B.; Carola and Violet; Whitman, Medical Reserve Corp. of Dutchess County, The Laken family; All Parishioners; Kairos International, Catherine, Michelle, Yamily; Matthew, Lillian; Lynita, Perry, Melius family, Sasha; Stacey, Linda, Phil, Jody; Tucker family, Branch family, Atkinson family; Alison, McGhan, Sterling, Unah, Avonel, Kim, Santos family, Madeline, Bramble, Charlie, Cynthia, Gencia, Val, Joanne, Janet, Corkey, Pelaez, Josephs-Clarke family, Dixon family, Paulette, Jarah, Mertlyn; Adam, Paul, Andrew & family, Douglas family, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana, Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Susie; Sherry, Claudia