Church of the Ascension

The Story at Home

A Glimpse of God’s Backside

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.” 

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?

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.

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

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.

Giving Thanks

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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 Book of Nature

The Story for the
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Oct 4, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God, 
and the firmament shows the handiwork of the Lord. 

One day tells its tale to another, 
and one night imparts knowledge to another. 

Although they have no words or language, 
and their voices are not heard, 

their sound has gone out into all lands, 
and their message to the ends of the world. 

In the deep has God set a pavilion for the sun; 
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; 
it rejoices like a champion to run its course. 

It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; 
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; 
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.

The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; 
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; 
the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, 
more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, 
than honey in the comb.

By them also is your servant enlightened, 
and in keeping them there is great reward. 

Who can tell how often they offend? 
Cleanse me from my secret faults.

Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;  
let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound,  
and innocent of a great offense.

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight; 
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 

Something to Do

The heavens declare the glory of God

Gaze at the heavens. Do it at different times of day. Do it in different weather. What are they saying to you? Can you draw it? Or write it? Or dance or sing it?

Sweeter far than honey

The psalmists compares God’s law to honey, the sweetest thing they would have likely known. Do a taste test and find the sweetest thing in your house. God’s law is even sweeter!

Something to Wonder

Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins…

What do you think are “presumptuous sins”? Are they the same for everyone? Or are your presumptuous sins different than mine? Why does the psalmist want to be kept from them “above all“?

Law as freedom

God’s law as a source of freedom is a constant theme throughout the Bible. Does this idea ring true to you? Why or why not? Either way, try to imagine why it might be the opposite for someone else.

Something to Learn

The Book of Nature

Philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages developed the idea that God revealed Godself through nature, creating a “book of nature” to be read alongside the Bible. The idea has still older roots, reaching back to Aristotle. Read a quick summary on Wikipedia.

Then read a modern working out of this idea from the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren:
The question of how God created the universe has never been a settled one, and has sometimes overshadowed more important questions about the purpose of God’s creative work. For example, what can Christians learn about God from creation itself? These important questions merit careful reflection...read on.

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.

Water in the Desert

The Story for the
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept 27, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?”

So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” 

Something to Do

Complaints Complaints Complaints

The Israelites spent a lot of energy complaining – but maybe they had a point. After all, water is not exactly a luxury. Many complaints, however, are not so justified. In fact, complaining can become something of a habit. Pick a day and notice your complaints, whether spoken out loud or just in your head. What do you complain about? Who do you complain to? How does complaining make you feel?

A Tall Glass of Water

Enjoy a big glass of refreshing water. Pay attention to how it feels. Imagine how much better it would feel if you were wandering in a desert. Remember that not everyone in the world – or even in our own province – has access to clean water. Give thanks that you do and connect to the Indigenous Water Project of the PWRDF to work towards safe and accessible water for everyone in Canada.

Something to Wonder

Is the Lord among us or not?

The Israelites followed Moses out of Egypt, trusting in God’s power and God’s promise. Then they found themselves in the wilderness, hungry, tired, thirsty, scared and started to wonder – “Is the Lord among us or not?”.

Have you every set out to follow God and then wondered if you took a wrong turn somewhere?

When have you found yourself in the wilderness, wondering if God was really present?

Wondering about water

The people of the Bible live in a dry place. How did this context shape the use of water as a symbol? In what ways might water have been used differently if they had lived on an ocean or in a rain forest? In what ways does the symbol of water transcend these differences?

What has been your experience of water? How does this shape the way you hear water imagery and symbolism?

Something to Learn

Water Justice

Domestically and internationally, access to and protection of clean water is a critical justice issue. Learn more about the issues and the work being done.

From the SIWI: The world is at a point where water crises and competition for water are no longer risks, but a reality for many. We believe that the best way to tackle water crises, and help bring about lasting change, is to strengthen water governance among public and private actors alike. Essentially, who gets what water, when and how, and who has the right to water and related services, and the associated benefits.

Amnesty International is seeking justice for Indigenous communities in Canada.

University of British Columbia’s Program on Water Governance provides a variety of factsheets and articles on Canada and water.

Closer still to home: learn about the work of the Ottawa Riverkeepers

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.

Enough for all…and that’s it.

The Story for the
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept 20, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

Something to Do

Two conversations

Imagine two dinner tables. The first belongs to the family of one of the labourers who worked all day. The second belongs to the family of one of the labourers who was only hired in the evening. Imagine the conversations that happen around those two tables. You could even write it down or act it out.

Enough is enough

The other reading we are going to hear this Sunday is from the story of the Exodus and is another story about the way that God provides enough for what we we need. (Read it here.) Both stories also caution us about the human inclination to always want more – more than we need; more than other people; more, more, more.

During the Season of Creation, we are invited to think more carefully about the ways our behaviours impact the rest of the world. How might you reduce the amount you take from creation in order to ensure there is enough for all life to thrive?

Something to Wonder

But it’s not fair!

Anyone who has spent time with more than one small child at a time will be familiar with the cry: “But it’s not fair!”. For that matter, anyone who is honest about their own hearts will be familiar with it and I think it is the idea at the root of the labourers’ complaint.

What does the idea of “fairness” mean to you? How do you react when you see something that feels unfair?

In what ways does Jesus challenge the idea of fairness? How do you feel about that?

Locating Yourself in the Story

With which group of labourers do you most identify? How does that influence the way you hear this story? How does that impact the way you think about the kingdom of heaven?

Try to identify with a different group of labourers. How does the story change? What do you see in the world around you when you look at it through these new eyes?

Something to Learn

Food Waste

One consequence of taking more than we need is waste. According to a 2017 study conducted by the National Zero Waste Council, Canadians throw out almost 2.2 million tonnes of edible food every year. Learn more about the study and ways to reduce your food waste with Love Food Hate Waste Canada.

Universal Basic Income?

Jesus was not describing a universal basic income (UBI). For starters, any one who didn’t get hired at all didn’t get paid and the landowner wasn’t just setting a minimum but also a maximum. However, UBI is one proposal of a way to ensure everyone has enough. Like all solutions to complicated problems, however, it is not perfect and it might not be the right answer.

Learn more and reach your own conclusions. Here’s a few places to start:

Possibilities and Prospects: The Debate over Guaranteed Basic Income, published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in 2009 and written by Margot Young (a self-described skeptic) and James Mulvale (a self-described proponent).

Basic Income: Some Policy Options for Canada, published by the Basic Income Network Canada in 2019 and written by Sheila Regular and (Ascension’s own) Chandra Pasma.

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.