Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.  When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’  When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Today is the feast of St. Joseph.  So, our detour from the regularly prescribed readings continues and we have the opportunity today to reflect on the birth narrative from the Gospel according to Matthew.  The phrase that stands out to me is “God is with us.”

The text introduces us to Joseph who is betrothed to Mary.  He is in turmoil about what to do about Mary because she is pregnant and he does not want to expose her to public disgrace.  God appears to him in a dream and assures him that all shall be well.  God tells Joseph to go as planned, that Mary will have a son and to name him Jesus.  Joseph and Mary abstained from marital relations until after she delivered.

The call that I hear today is to be “receptive” to what God may be doing in the most difficult of situations.  We can all be vessels through which God works, but God never promised it would be easy.  Faced with a difficult and humiliating decision, Joseph decided to remain true to himself and listen to God’s direction.  Joseph received instructions that made him a participant in bringing forth the salvation of the world because he was receptive to what God might be doing.       

John 6:27-40 (NRSV)

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."  Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?"  Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."  So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?  Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "  Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.  Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.

At Morning Prayer on Sundays, we get a detour from our regular continuation of the lesson’s from Mark and switch over to John.  The phrase “Sir, give us this bread always” stands out to me today.  Jesus answers in response, “I am the bread of life.”

In the passage, Jesus is talking to his followers about focusing on the “right stuff” (the right priorities).  The followers want to know what they must do, and what Jesus is going to do to prove who he is.  It almost seems as if they want Jesus to do something great and special like turn lead into gold or make something disappear as if he were expected to be great magician.  Jesus reminds them that the signs aren’t important.  Moses didn’t give Israel manna in the wilderness because the great works like that come from God, and only from God.

Jesus tells them that even though they have seen him and know him, they still don’t believe in him and that he is the Son of God.  The reward of this belief is eternity with God and participation in the resurrection on the last day.

The call today is to believe.  Believe in Jesus (without the dog and pony show), and trust that Jesus is who he says he is and that he will nurture us with bread (which is himself) that will lead us to eternal life with God.

Mark 7:1-23 (NRSV)

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.  (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.)  So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"  He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'  You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition."  Then he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition!  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.'  But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban' (that is, an offering to God ) then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on.  And you do many things like this."  Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand:  there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile."  When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable.  He said to them, "Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)  And he said, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles.  For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

The fact that the disciples were “eating with defiled hands” stands out to me.  My grandmother would have a fit!  She always insisted on us washing our hands prior to eating anything!  (Maybe she was a Pharisee?)  Anyhow, Jesus uses this situation and the ridicule by the Pharisees to teach them.

The Pharisees and scribes have joined the crowds that continue to gather around Jesus.  Mark uncharacteristically provides much detail in the interaction between the Pharisees and Jesus, giving us a chance to feel the tension between them.  The Pharisees ask why the disciples don’t wash before they eat as the elders did.

Jesus calls them hypocrites for teaching human precepts as doctrine.  The Pharisees were strict about keeping the letter of the law, careful not to do anything outside of Torah.  However, they get mixed up sometimes in their pious practices and confound the law with human traditions.  Jesus uses the example of Corban.  Jesus shows how the Pharisees sidestep one of the Ten Commandments -- "Honor your father and your mother" (from Exod. 20:12).  This particular commandment required financial support and care to aging parents.  Corban is a form of deferred giving.  A person could declare something Corban (dedicated or sacrificed to God) and then tell his or her parents that their old-age support has been given to God.  In truth, the property has only been promised to God, but that promise gives the child an excuse to dodge his or her obligation to parents.

Jesus further explains that it isn’t the foods that we eat or ritual defilement that makes us unclean, but the thoughts and feelings of our hearts.  This is received as strong language in the context of the Jewish culture that honors food laws and other ritual observances.  The Torah goes into great detail regarding clean and unclean foods, and Jewish people distinguish themselves from their pagan neighbors by observance of these food laws.

We are called today to “nurture holy things.”  This should not be confused with pious practice.  We live in a culture that tells us that we must honor our feelings rather than to control them, and fiercely resist any constraints that Christ or common sense would place on behavior.  The result is that we live in a world characterized by evil thoughts, (adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, blasphemy, pride, foolishness, and etc., etc…)   Jesus’ teaching points us in a radically different direction.  He tells us that "evil things come from within;" within our human heart, and implies that we have a responsibility to nurture holy things rather than evil things in our hearts.

Mark 6:47-56 (NRSV)

When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.  When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by.  But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."  Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased.  And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat.  When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Jesus came toward them “walking on the sea.”  The image that comes out at me is popular.  When we think of Jesus, we often associate him with the miracles that he performed; healing the sick, changing water into wine, casting out demons, walking on water, feeding the multitudes, and raising from the dead (just to name a few).  He amazed many (and continues to amaze) people with the wonder and power of miracles that shows the power of the one true living and loving God.

From yesterday’s reading, Jesus catches up with the disciples.  He comes to them across sea of Galilee, walking on the water.  The wind was up and the sea was rough.  The disciples were terrified.  They didn’t expect Jesus to be coming toward them like that.  Once Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped.  They were flabbergasted.  The disciples were still trying to understand the miracle that they had just witnessed, the feeding of the 5000, and Jesus comes at them with another display of power over the elements.

After they came to Gennesaret, they were immediately noticed by people.  They brought their sick to him to be cured.  Jesus was recognized everywhere, and there was a crowd everywhere he went.  Even people that touched the fringe of his cloak were healed.

It is hard not to concentrate on the awesome power God in this passage that is shown by Jesus.  His presence and actions are godly and of godly proportions.  To me, the call that is present in this reading is in the phrase that Jesus says to the disciples, “take heart, and don’t be afraid.”  The power of God is a scary thing; the closer we get to experiencing it, the more afraid we can become.  If we take our experiences of the living God to heart, and are not afraid, then we can let God get close and use us as vessels to spread the good news about Jesus to the world.

Mark 6:30-46 (NRSV)

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.  He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.  Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.  As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat."  But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?”  And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties.  Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all.  And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.  Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.  Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.  After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Jesus told the disciples, “You give them something to eat.”  This phrase and extension of hospitality stands out to me today, as Jesus offers to feed the multitude that has gathered to learn from him.  They are out in the middle of nowhere and have very little, but out of very little, in a generous display of hospitality, Jesus provides enough and then some.

Marks story takes an interesting turn in the narrative.  After the back story of John the Baptist, Mark returns to focusing on Jesus who is again on the move.  He is trying to get away from the crowds to rest and goes to a deserted place by boat with the twelve.  However, when he gets there, Jesus is greeted by a great crowd.  Jesus has compassion for them and teaches them.

The disciples want to let the people go to the nearby towns in order to get something for themselves to eat.  This is when Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat.”  However, the disciples don’t understand and think Jesus wants them to go and buy food for everyone.  Jesus asks them what they have and asks everyone to sit on the grass in large groups.  Jesus then distributes the five loaves and two fish to the five thousand plus (most scholars agree that women and children were not in the count).  After all were fed, twelve baskets of scraps were collected.  Jesus then sends the disciples away in the boat to go ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowd.

The call that I hear today is rely on God’s provision.  It has been often said that God equips the called, he doesn’t always call the equipped.  Like the disciples sent out two by two on Tuesday, we are to trust that God will equip us with what we need if we give to God what we have.  Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 5000 to show that God has the ability to provide abundance out of scarcity.  This is Good News to those who are afraid that they do not have enough.  If we give it to God, then God will multiply with great abundance.  With God, there is always enough.

Mark 6:13-29 (NRSV)

They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.  King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him."  But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."  But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."  For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her.  For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him.  When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.  But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.  When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it."  And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."  She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer.”  Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.  Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl.  Then the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

It’s Elijah, It’s John the Baptizer…  These comments jump out at me as the crowd try to figure out who/what Jesus is, and by what power he does his mighty works.  When I was a child, I remember the phrase, “look, up in the air, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!”  It seems to me that the folks that are gathered around are acting just like this.  They don’t know what they have confronted, so they apply it to what they already know.

Today we get the back story of the horrific beheading of John the baptizer.  This is in the context of people trying to figure out who Jesus is.  When Herod hears of Jesus, he thinks that John has been raised, because he regarded John as a righteous and holy man.  The scripture says that Herod feared John and had him bound and arrested because John spoke out about Herod’s marriage to his brother Phillip’s wife Herodias.  Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.

Mark’s gospel story in the New Revised Standard Version is confusing when it comes to the birthday banquet.  The NRSV calls the woman who danced “his daughter Herodias.” We know from other sources that her name is Salome (Josephus).  Salome is Herod’s step-daughter/niece (she is the daughter of Herodias and Phillip).  Regardless of the relationship, her dance gave her the opportunity to fulfill the desires of her mother against John.  To fulfill his promise and save face in front of his guests, Herod had John beheaded and brought his head on a platter to Salome.  She in turn gave it to her mother.

Within the hideous account of John’s murder, the call that I hear is perseverance.  As disciples and followers of Christ, and as people that have faith and belief in the One, true, loving, and living God, we are all called to persevere.  Things happen throughout our ministry as we seek to do the things that God has given us to do (as we heal the sick and cast out demons of all sorts).  We may come across challenges and distractions, and within them we are called to persevere and stay strong.  I could offer a bad pun and say that we are called to keep our head about us, or better yet, not loose our head within the challenges and distractions.

Mark 6:1-13 (NRSV)

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.  On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this?  What is this wisdom that has been given to him?  What deeds of power are being done by his hands!  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?"  And they took offense at him.  Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."  And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.  And he was amazed at their unbelief.  Then he went about among the villages teaching.  He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.  He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.  If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."  So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.  They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

“Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”  This phrase not only stands out to me, it sums up the context of the passage and speaks an incredible truth.  As a priest, it is not very easy to be heard as a prophetic voice in your own home, in your family’s home, or where you grew up.

Jesus has gone home and he took his disciples with him.  Many were astonished by his teaching and healing.  However, in his hometown he lacked credibility and people challenged him and took offense.  Jesus remains surprised that they still don’t believe.

In the context of this passage, Jesus dispatches the twelve and sends them out two by two.  He gives them instructions with a sense of urgency – take nothing for the journey, no bread, no bag, no money, etc…  They went out proclaiming that all should have a change of heart.  They cast out many demons and healed many who were sick.

Since Mark only gives us brief narrative, we must search deep within the text a bit for the meaning.  By not being of any good or having any respect in the hometown, Jesus must widen the circle in which he travels.   He teaches the twelve to rely on the communities and peoples that he sends them to serve.  Without extra provision, the twelve are not weighted down and are able to go from place to place where needed at a moment’s notice.

The call today that I hear would almost be good for a Boy Scout; “Be Prepared.”  However, the preparation isn’t with “provision” like a scout’s would be.  God provides his disciples with what we need to do the task we are given to do.  We are prepared spiritually, by belief and faith.  The disciples travel in the circles away from their homes, prepared to offer a message of repentance and are able to do works of healing and cleansing.  We, as disciples, are to have faith that God will prepare us.