Moment Of Clarity With Rev. Lorrie Daly-price

This week we read the saga of the bridesmaids from Matthew’s gospel. The tradition required the bridegroom to arrive at the home of the bride’s family, claim the bride, and take her to his own house.    Waiting for the bridegroom meant being prepared, not merely passing time. In this parable, some bridesmaids neglected their oil lamps. A trimmed wick ensured maximum light and minimum smoke. Having lamps that once burned well did not mean that they would burn well again. Constant attention to the lamps ensured the light would be available when required.    In Bible times, oil was associated with anointing and indicated the presence of God’s Spirit with a person. Oil also was a metaphor for God’s presence, displayed in one’s compassion and acts of love and mercy. The gospel of Matthew strives to keep the community of disciples grounded in Christ. The parable speaks to being ready whenever God’s reign comes in its fullness. God’s life is birthed in each person. Each person is responsible to tend the light

This week we hear a reading from the gospel of Matthew known as the Beatitudes or the Sermon on the Mount. It is here that Jesus Microsoft Word - Nov 1 2020 Newsletter v1 shares the attitudes of how to live life knowing that even in the midst of troubles we will be blessed in God’s grace. Sometimes it is about accomplishing a worthwhile goal, even a private, personal victory. Sometimes it is about improving one’s character. Sometimes it is best defined by living into one’s own personal mission, or finding a meaningful purpose to organize one’s life around. And sometimes it is about learning how to live in peace, happiness, generosity and love. Someone put it like this: "I spent my life frantically climbing the ladder of success. When I got to the top I realized it was leaning against the wrong building. Even if she got to the top first, it made no difference. There is no merit in being first to arrive at the wrong place in life. Any life going after the things that count, will count as a life well sp

This week is one of those biblical stories that may be very familiar to you. To us, Jesus is simply echoing what we know in our heart of hearts – love God, love your neighbour. It seems so obvious! But it would not have been so to Jesus’ original hearers. For the scribes and Pharisees (and thus for the people who were taught by them) the Law given by Moses from God was sacred. There were 61 laws in the Jewish Law but as scholars and rabbis interpreted these according to different times and circumstances, a huge body of oral tradition and oral law began to emerge. In Jesus’ days these unwritten community laws and traditions were beginning to be recorded. And the scribes and rabbis debated at some length about which of these were the most important. The Pharisees concluding that they all were; not one had precedence over another, as all came from God. So what Jesus does is takes his hearers back to the first principles. To “love God” with heart, soul and mind, the fundamental creed of Judaism. Then direc

In the reading this week from the gospel of Matthew, we are confronted with the Pharisees who are attempting to trap Jesus in his own words. Jesus, however, constantly turns the tables on his attackers often leaving them speechless and the bystanders amazed. In this week’s reading Jesus’ opponents finally raise the subject of taxes. Of course, taxes have never been very popular in human history, and life in the Holy Land under Roman military rule was no exception. The Romans heavily taxed their occupied territories, and typically the local ruling aristocracy used any method possible to extort money from the lower classes. This is why tax collectors are especially hated characters. In our passage, it is the dynamics of Roman occupation that create the opportunity for this line of questioning: if Jesus responds that it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, he will be deemed to be sympathetic to the ruling class. So how will Jesus respond?

This week in our gospel reading from Luke we find Jesus in a village between Galilee and Samaria. He has met a group of ten people with leprosy who cry out to him for mercy. In their sickness, in their loneliness, in their poverty, they reached out for help. Jesus responded in a way that far exceeded anything they could ever have expected. Instead of tossing them a few coins or bit of food (things which might Microsoft Word - Oct 11 202 Newsletter v1 seem to help but were really only answering the symptoms of their sickness) Jesus went to the problem itself, and healed them. For nine of the ten, this was where their encounter with Jesus ended. We hear nothing more about them. We hear nothing about what paths their lives took, not even how (or if) they took advantage of their new status as cleansed individuals. They were no longer outcasts but full and welcome members of society. Did they use their renewed contact with people in a positive way? They were cleansed, and the last picture we have is of them scurry

This week in Matthew’s gospel we find a story within a story. A parable of Jesus that leaves us asking all sorts of questions. Here Jesus tells of a vineyard owner who cared for and planted some grapes and waited to see what wonderful things would happen. There is a twist this time though which we know many good stories have. In the climax of the story Microsoft Word - Newsletter Oct 4 2020 v1 the vineyard isn’t simply left to wither away, but those who have been given the opportunity to tend the vineyard are found to be thieves and killers. Then Jesus leaves the chief priests and elders to whom he is speaking with a question. What do they think the owner will do? Repay them? Get rid of them for good, and find someone who will do what they should have been doing in the first place? It is a story with lots of twists and turns. With characters that we don’t like and morals that make us squirm. But it is also a story of the gifts that God gives to us to help us in this life. Safety nets for us to use so t

The reading we hear this week from Matthew’s gospel challenges us to walk the talk. In the reading, one brother talked the talk, while the other brother walked the walk. Jesus asks, “which of the two did his father’s will?” Today’s gospel is a short but powerful parable. To an audience of talkers, Jesus says that talk Microsoft Word - Newsletter Sep 27 2020 is cheap. Jesus is in the temple in Jerusalem and he has not come to find favour with the religious movers and shakers. He certainly has not come to whisper sweet nothings in their ears. It seems that Jesus is the new sheriff in town who does not like what he sees and what he hears. The Pharisees had argued the life right out of God’s covenant. Their endless debates and rituals had replaced the purity of devotion. And with it came the pride of self- satisfied, pious frauds. Then along comes Jesus to blow the hot air right out of the temple and replace all the cheap talk with a priceless message: Love the Lord with your whole heart and your neighbou

In our reading from Matthew’s Gospel, the teachers of the day had been blinded by the laws and traditions of the past. They were not prepared to open their eyes (and ears) to the new teachings that Jesus offers about the spiritual significance of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus also presents a number of parables to show how things that are deemed small and insignificant can often make more of a difference than we ever consider them capable of. How many people in our congregations and communities make contributions of time and talent that we take for granted or fail to see the significance of? Can the same be said of us? Are we often blinded to the opportunities of the future by the rose-tinted spectacles of the past? Do we need to re-focus and look ahead rather than closing our eyes and hoping that everything will stay the same? 

In our reading this week from Matthew’s gospel we hear Jesus’ best-known instructions on forgiveness. When Peter asks how many times “another member of the church” is to be forgiven, Jesus insists that forgiving someone seven times is not adequate. The offending member must be forgiven 77 times. The number seems staggering but communicates clearly that forgiveness is to  be an essential part of Christian communal life.   To punctuate his point, Jesus invokes a “kingdom of heaven” analogy that shows how seriously we are to take the reprimand to forgive. He tells the story of a king who is owed a debt by his slaves. At the moment when the king expects to be paid, one slave is not able to pay and as a result is to be sold along with his wife and children. The man pleads with the king and asks to be given more time. The king has mercy on him and forgives the debt completely but then the slave does not extend the same mercy to a fellow slave who owes him a debt. When the king finds out, he reinstates the origina

In Matthew 4:18-23 we hear Jesus calling to Peter and his brother Andrew to leave their lives and livelihood behind and to follow him as he will make them fishers of people.  In this dramatic reading, we hear these brothers reflect on their time spent following Jesus, and the laughter and understanding he brought to them, even amidst the turmoil and challenges of the day.

Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome tells us that although we each have different gifts and talents, we are all one in the body of Christ and that we are to be a living sacrifice. What does that even mean?  Think about what this may mean to you personally as we unpack this during worship.

The scripture of Matthew 16:13-20 has Jesus questioning the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Confounded, they must have thought that an odd question. They respond saying he is maybe John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Simon Peter stepped boldly forward and proclaimed Jesus as "Messiah, the Son of the living God."   Our second scripture is John 6:35, 41-51 where Jesus himself 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."  He was so more than a carpenter, more than an activist, even more than a miracle worker.  John's gospel is the answer.   Join us as we worship.  When worship is finished go out and praise God because JESUS IS.

Our footsteps lead us all over the beautiful earth that God created.  From the first sin - eating from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden we have been sinners.  Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we have been saved.  How do we build that deep and faithful relationship with God?  Please join us for our worship service.   For context, please read the following Scriptures: Genesis 37:1-4,12-18 Romans 10:5-15

This week’s reading from Matthew’s gospel begins with Jesus at prayer. After transforming a few loaves and fish into a banquet and a day of preaching and teaching, Jesus retires to a quiet place to commune with God. We too have opportunities to be still and listen for God’s voice in stillness, as well as in the commotion of daily life.    From silence Jesus goes into action, riding the waves to meet his followers. Once again, they are afraid of the storm. Jesus reassures them that all will be well, inspiring Peter to jump out of the boat. As long as Peter looks to Jesus, he can walk on water. The moment he is overcome with fear, he sinks.    Today's readings invite us to look to God for help and wholeness. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we gain perspective on life and see the storms and trials of life in terms of God’s movement in our lives. 

This week we hear the familiar story from Matthew’s gospel of feeding the 5,000. This story follows immediately after Herod has had John the Baptist executed. Jesus, feeling overwhelmed by his loss wants to get away from the crowds and regroup. He even takes a boat so he can evade the crowds. But his efforts to find a secluded spot falter because as soon as he sets off he is immediately followed by the crowds. Once back onshore he has compassion on them and he begins to heal the sick. As the day began to wind down, the disciples begin to get anxious about the people. They had to be hungry, and a hungry crowd can be an unruly one. Fear is setting in. So, they encourage Jesus to bring the healing session to a close and send them on their way. We can understand their concern. Anyone who is tasked with logistics understands that you don’t want things to get out of hand. Jesus, as you might imagine, has other ideas. Jesus isn’t too worried it seems because he tells them to feed the crowds. Yes, he tells them,

Weeds.  Grass rooting in the flowerbeds. Clover. The untiring dandelion. The skulking, nameless stalks that mimic zinnias and daisies until they suddenly loom large. A gardener’s eyes scan for them continually. Their experienced hand, ready to pull with just the right twist to bring up the root, too.  Muscles from hand to arm to shoulder to waist all responding to the war of the weeds. Gardeners wage this war for the beautiful flowers they aim to protect.  But there is no denying that gardening is an exercise in control.    In the reading this week from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives us the image of God as a mad farmer, scattering good seed everywhere. They begin to grow but so do those nasty weeds. So, the question is raised – What should we do about the weeds? Just let the weeds grow among the wheat, Jesus says, leave the weeds, lest you inadvertently pull out good wheat.  Wait until the harvest then you can sort out the weeds

This week’s reading comes from the Gospel of Matthew. From Matthew’s perspective, the judgment is near and people have one last chance to get their house in order. He is clear that there are consequences of actions and harsh penalties. These all might be at work here alongside the message of grace and the inclusive love of God.   The term used to describe the method of sowing in the time of Jesus was ‘broadcasting’. We are familiar with the term from radio, or television or mobile networks – it reaches everywhere.  The term originated in this farming method, casting seed everywhere and it reached, like sound waves, a variety of places. Sound messages and images infiltrate places where they can be ignored, or partially listened to when other issues distract attention, or rivet attention to the message. Much relies upon the recipient, not the quality of the message. The sower’s broadcasting process was not an economically sound method of planting, perhaps this is the point Jesus is making. God is not bound by

This week we hear a reading from Matthew’s Gospel. After sometime Jesus, weary from all of his traveling around with the disciples, looks up to heaven and prays. The substance of his prayer offers thanksgiving to God that the basics core meanings of life are really simple, rooted in a childlike faith that is built on trust. That trust, according to Jesus, is found when we cast our restless lives on God’s unchanging, faithful presence.   “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (11:28-30).   The problem was however, that the followers of Jesus were caught up in the requirements of getting ahead and checking everything off of their daily to-do lists. They were burdened by the stresses placed on them and because of that struggled to see God acting in their lives. Maybe that sounds familiar to you

June 28, 2020 | In the reading this week from Matthew’s gospel we hear about the mission of the twelve disciples during Jesus’ life. They are placed in pairs and are given instructions on the message that they are to take to the communities. It’s not an easy message, but they are also offered the gifts that will allow them to bring healing within communities. Jesus encourages them to embrace the places where they are made welcome, and to shake the dust from their feet where they are not. The world Jesus sends them to with the message is not an easy world. It’s a world where people wage war against one another, and their encounters will sometimes have them fleeing for refuge. There is no equipment for the task, other than the clothes they wear, for they are to rely on the kindness of others. Then Jesus moves from addressing the disciples, and instead offers instruction for those who might welcome them. Those who arrive at the door, or into our lives, bringing the presence of Jesus are to be offered hospitali

June 21, 2020 | The reading we hear this week from the gospel of Matthew, speaks about God’s faithfulness. God invites us to look beyond our own resources and self-interest so that we are able to see a larger vision of life. When troubles surround us, we are not alone; God is with us. In the reading the disciples find themselves facing persecution but are reminded to remain faithful. They are to continue embracing the joys and the tragedies of life in their totality. Jesus tries to explain to them that by moving beyond their own anxieties will provide them the comfort of resting safely in God. Perhaps the readings this week are asking us to consider what limits we place on ourselves? What if we were to put our complete trust in the path that God has set before us for the future? I wonder what would happen?