The Story for the
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Oct 18, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Exodus 33: 12-23

Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.’ Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” The Lord said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

And Moses said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.” The Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The Lord’; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.”

And the Lord continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.” 

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Something to Do

But you said…

This conversation between Moses and God comes after the Israelites get in big trouble for creating and worshipping a golden calf while they were waiting for Moses to come back after his last talk with God. God is angry and has told Moses that while the people will still make it to the Promised Land, God, Godself, is no longer going with them. Instead, God says, I’ll send an angel to go with you.

Not good enough, says Moses. And that’s where we pick up the conversation, with Moses reminding God of God’s commitments to both Moses himself and to God’s people.

Imagine – or write – a conversation you would like to have with God that is as honest and bold and intimate as this one between God and Moses.

…unless you go with us

This is, at its heart, a story about who God is – God-with-us. During this time of renewed distancing, it is good to remember the power of “withness”. How might you be with someone this week?

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Something to Wonder

and you shall see my back

The fullness of God’s glory is too much, even for Moses, but God grants him a glimpse of the wonder that is God’s presence. In my mind’s eye, I see God leaving a trail of silvery glory dancing in God’s wake as evidence of God’s passage.

This is often the way we experience God – recognizing a moment of holiness just as it is slipping by. Have you ever had this experience? What happened? How did you respond?

I will put you in a cleft of the rock

Jan Richardson, of the Painted Prayerbook, offers a meditation on this image in which she reflects on the dual meaning of cleave – to separate and to join. She asks: “Where do you find the clefts in your own life—those places that break your heart open even as you become whole?”

And she offers one of her beautiful poem blessings:
In the Cleaving
A Blessing
Believe me,
I know how
this blessing looks:
like it is
leaving you,
like it is
walking away
while you stand there,
feeling the press
of every sharp edge,
every jagged corner
in this fearsome hollow
that holds you.
read the rest of Jan’s poem.

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Something to Learn

The Book of Exodus

Today’s reading comes from the second part of the Book of Exodus – the part where Israel and God work out the terms of their relationship after the drama of the escape from Egypt. It can be a tough slog to read through – it includes a lot of chapters about how to built a tent. Watch the Bible Project’s video to get the broad sweep of the story instead: Exodus: Chapters 19-30

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 11, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, ¹³ they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” ¹⁴ When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. ¹⁶ He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? ¹⁸ Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

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Something to Do

Giving Thanks

Make a list of ten things in your life for which you are thankful. If you’re having a hard time, name something in your home, something in the city, something in nature, etc. If you have a smartphone or camera, try taking pictures of these things for when you need to remember them.

Thank You Notes

Once you have made your list of things for which you are thankful, choose as many or as few as you’d like and write it a short Thank You note. If you need inspiration, check out the Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi, below.

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Something to Wonder

The Canticle of the Sun

In the spirit of giving thanks to God for all Creation on this Thanksgiving weekend, I invite you to meditate on this ancient hymn.

In 1224, Saint Francis of Assisi was recovering from an illness at San Damiano. Throughout his illness, he composed a song known today as “The Canticle of Creation” or “The Canticle of the Sun”. The first time it was sung was by Francis himself on his deathbed, with Francis adding the final lines about ‘Sister Death’ just minutes before passing away.  It also served as the inspiration for the well-known hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King”. Here is the text of that song (paraphrased slightly), written 796 years ago:

O all-powerful and Most High God,
To you are all praise, glory, honour, and blessing;
Your Holy Name beyond the capability of mortal lips.

Be praised, O God, through all your creatures,
Through Brother Sun, who brings the day;
Through him You shine light into the world.
He is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Truly, he bears your likeness, O God.

Be praised, O God, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Be praised, O God, through Brother Wind,
And through the air, cloudy and serene,
And every kind of weather,
Through which you sustain life.

Be praised, O God, through Sister Water,
who overflows with life, purpose, humility, and purity.

Be praised, O God, through Brother Fire,
through whom you shine light into a darkened world.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.

Be praised, O God, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us, and leads us,
Who gifts us with fresh fruits, colourful flowers, and herbs.

Be praised, O God, through those who give pardon for your love,
Through those who are sick, and those who are vulnerable.

Be praised, O God, through Sister Death,
Whom we all must face.
Our hearts break for those whom she finds sewing hate,
But we rejoice for those who have lived a life of love.

Praise and bless God in all you do,
Return to God all your thanks and gratitude,
And live your life walking humbly with the God and Creator of all.

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Something to Learn

Leprosy in the Modern World

Learn more about the medical, social, and cultural impacts of leprosy in the modern world by watching this short documentary produced in partnership with the World Health Organization.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.