Proper 19.A.23
Matthew 18:21-35
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
A Nun, Sister Elaine, liked to tell a story about a bishop who made fun of an old woman because she claimed that when she prayed to God, God spoke back. Now the bishop had devoted his whole life to the study of God, and he was certain that if God spoke to anyone, it would not be to one such as she. And, as the bishop himself had never heard God speak, he was dismissive of her claims.
Proper 18.A.23
Romans 13:8-14
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
Imagine what might cause a person to head out on a rainy spring night, when temperatures hover in the mid-forties, to walk along the quiet roads of rural New Hampshire? Insomnia, maybe? A troubled mind? An opportunity for a quiet, albeit chilly and damp self-reflection? These all make sense. However, the truth is far more dramatic…a life saving mission! But one without sirens or flashing lights…just a flashlight.
Proper 17.A.23
Romans 12:9-21
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
Labor Day Weekend is a time of transition. We are shifting from summer into autumn, schools are reopening, and after a Monday of rest, people will return from vacation to work. It’s a fine time to be thinking about how we live and work together. To this end, St. Paul has words of advice for us in his Letter to the Romans: