Pentecost Year A
Proper 19 - Ordinary Time 24- Pentecost +17
Based upon Matthew 18:21-35. Copyright Katherine Hawker, 2002.
forgiven and unforgiving
the servant becomes master
forgiven and unforgiving
greed overpowers compassion
forgiven and unforgiving
ripe fruit left on the vine,
rotting and useless.
Based upon the Parables. Copyright Katherine Hawker, 2002.
As sabers rattle in lands both close and distant
we confess that we are in pain,
fear has taken root in the souls of our being.
Even as we turn to the parables ,
familiar stories that we thought we loved,
we find troubling stories offering ever more questions .
Lord have mercy,
lord have mercy,
have mercy upon us.
We are loathe to take account of the many ways
in which we unwittingly profit
from the machinery of war and greed.
Still we read the parables of Jesus
which fly in the face of social convention
offending those who dare to listen.
Christ have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
have mercy upon us.
Believing that we are insignificant,
and at the same time fearful that we might become so,
we are timid to use our voices to speak truth to a world of war.
Now the parables of Jesus offer a new vision;
now the servants dine and the masters serve,
now the last becomes and the first becomes last.
Lord have mercy,
lord have mercy,
have mercy upon us.
Hear the good news of the Story
that no sheep is unworthy of rescue,
no coin too small to be missed.
Hear the good news
that love is stronger than hate
and that this power is alive within you
now and forever.
Amen.
Based upon Exodus 14. Written for Evangelical United Church of Christ, September 1999. Copyright Katherine Hawker.
The sea of apathy surrounds
enticing us with self promotion
luring us with greed.
The sea of apathy surrounds
bloated with decay
the remains of injustice and idolatry.
The sea of apathy surrounds.
Our task this day
is to cross the sea.
Our task today
is to say "no" to the stench.
Our task if we chose it
is to say "yes" to life and faith.
"Yes". Yes.
Let us cross the sea together.
Based upon the series of readings from Exodus. Copyright Katherine Hawker, 1999.
The Pharaoh decrees death to the foreigner.
The power of fear and hate rage surround us.
In the face of evil
Forgive us our complacency.
The burning bush flickers beside us.
The presence of God invites us.
In the presence of the holy
Forgive us our lack of notice.
The Red Sea waters stand at attention.
The threshold of grace is breath-taking.
In the company of grace
Forgive us our reticence to embrace.
Invitation to Pardon
Based upon the series of readings from Exodus. Copyright Katherine Hawker, 1999.
Hungry bellies and grumbling souls
are not the final word.
Manna and quail and water
fill the bellies and calm the souls.
The gifts of God reign
o’er the people of God.
Come for all things are ready.