All the Saints

Good afternoon, Loved Ones,

Another Hump Day came and went without enough time to document my gratitude cybernetic-ally. Consequently, I have decided to roll with it. Consider this Thankful Thursday. Today I am thinking ahead to All Saints Day, Monday, Nov. 1, and sharing one of the lectionary texts for that day, Luke's version of the beatitudes..

Luke 6:20-23 (The Message)

Then he spoke:
You're blessed when you've lost it all.
God's kingdom is there for the finding.
You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry.
Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.
You're blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.

^22-23"Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

Jesus Idea of blessings, of things we should be thankful for, seem to fly in the face of our expectations. The saints, those who follow Jesus, see challenges as blessings.

Thanks for the blessings Grandview Park has found in the midst of the tremendous loss, hunger and tears of the last couple of months.

Thanks for the 25 saints gathered for prayer on a cool Wednesday night at the church.

Thanks for the spontaneous lunch crew of Stella, Veronica, DeDe, Sonia, Maria, Carmen and others who have satisfied our hunger after church the last few weeks.

Thanks for Orlando Gallardo, the young seminarian who will bring the message to us this Sunday.

Thanks for all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia!

2 Peter 2:10 reminds us of our call "to tell others of the night-and-day difference God made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." So, all you saints, even though we are a day late, let's hear of your blessings.

Gimme cinco!

Pastor Rick

Good morning, Loved Ones,

Today we look at a traveler's psalm. Psalm 121

Psalm 121 (The Message)

A Pilgrim Song

^1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
Guardian will never doze or sleep.
^5-6 God's your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.
^7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

This psalm is one of the psalms of ascents. It was a blessing for those about to travel 'up to' Jerusalem. It acknowledges the dangers along the way; the temptation to be drawn away to the mountain top altars burning to Baal, the hazards of bandits, the blistering sun, the terrors of night. But even as it acknowledges the terrors of the journey, the terrors are trumped by the unwavering companionship and protection of the Lord of heaven and earth who does not snooze nor snore.

Whether you journey is of the weekend variety or the lifetime sojourn, give thanks for the Guardian God who 'walks with you and talks with you along life's narrow way.'

Thank you, Lord, that though I still live and work in the city of my birth, you have taken me far from the comforts and confines of a parochial faith.
Thank you, Lord, for being there during the terrors I have experienced in life.
Thank you, Lord, that most terrors are not at all what they are made out to be.
Thank you, Lord, that today we are able to travel and journey with a level of peace and safety unheard of in the history of the world. Yet, Lord, we offer prayers for those who, around the world, make life-threatening journeys across borders for better lives.
Thank you, Lord, that our life-long journeys with you are full of beauty, grace, hope, peace, welcome and overcoming.

Where are you headed today? Do you know that the One "who made heaven, and earth, and mountains" is with you?

Gimme cinco!

Pastor Rick

Shouting Gratitude

Good morning, Loved Ones,

Hump day is a day late this week. My apologies, but yesterday got away from me.

Today we look at the gospel reading from Sunday's lectionary.

Luke 17:11-19 (The Message)

^11-13It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

^14-16Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."

They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

^17-19Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

Today I give thanks that the church's healing is often found in those who are considered outsiders.

I give thanks for the work of Elena Morales and the MUSA theatre group who bring healing and hope to those who are survivors of domestic violence.

I give thanks for the bi-lingual prayer group gathering at the church last night.

I give thanks for the voices of little Alin and Ashley reading many scriptures aloud last night, but particularly Philippians 4:6-7 about not worrying and turning our worries into prayers. If I had a recording of their voices reading that passage to listen to once a day, then worry would occupy far less of my day.

I give thank for hot chocolate, sweet bread and apples with caramel dip.

We're a day late, but not short on gratitude,

Gimme cinco!

Pastor Rick