Matthew 18 gives clear instructions for dealing with conflict in the Church. Here we have guidance from Jesus himself. If a member sins against you, go to that person yourself. If he or she will not listen, bring someone else and try again. If that doesn’t work, tell the whole church, and if that doesn’t work, shun and exclude them; they are like a gentile and a tax collector.
We are good at what one commentator this week called, “acute decency.” We see images of families begin rescued from floods in Houston, small children and pets being carried through flood waters, and our hearts overflow. That commentator went on to say that we are good at acute decency, but we are not so good at long-term decency.
We must repent of white privilege to end racism. Racism in America will not end by the efforts of black or brown people alone.
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and…
The Transfiguration, August 6, 2017 Luke 9:28-36 The Rev. Catharine Reid
There are interesting parallels between this story of Jesus walking on water and the crucifixion and resurrection stories that come later. This story, and the resurrection stories, illustrate the importance of faith, hope, and the life-giving power of the sacred. The parallels are so strong that I would even argue that the story of Jesus walking on water is a kind of resurrection story.