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 These scriptures for June 14^th teach us to see with the heart, that God may grant us our hearts’ true desire.

On Father’s Day, June 21^st we might consider this sub-theme: the power of the unexpected and the surprising. An elder, Saul, takes a chance on a confident young David, who wisely sheds conventional armor. In Psalm 9, God takes the side of the oppressed, needy, and poor, and is asked to declare nations “only human.” In rebuking a storm, Jesus speaks the word “peace.” In a dispute with the Corinthians, Paul issues an appeal to and from the heart.

The Fourth Sunday of Pentecost, June 28^th  our texts address the reality of human suffering: lives lost in battle, the debilitating cost of chronic disease, the death of a child, the cry of despair. God comes to those in pain with healing and grace, restoring life and hope, offering the abundance of steadfast love, bringing peace to troubled souls. This is the vision of living in shalom, a world of God’s peace, where all find healing and peace and

 

 

 where everyone has enough to thrive. In response to God’s amazing gifts, we are called to build that community as we live generous lives, offering from our abundance, that others might simply live.

July 5^th is Independence Sunday. Sent forth by God and Christ’s disciples, we are called to proclaim repentance, teach God’s love, and offer Christ’s healing ministry. The scriptures warn us, however, that our gifts will not always be accepted; our ministries will not always be received. When faced with rejection, Christ was amazed at people’s unbelief. Even so, Jesus traveled on and offered kindness and mercy to new friends and different communities. Even as we face hardships and rejection in the ministries we offer, we are called to shake the dust off of our feet and travel on, offering kindness and mercy, ministry and love