Oaks of Mamre

  10th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 18.23-35 Forgiveness is a hot topic right now in the news as there is consideration being given to canceling student loan debt. Making a political statement one way of the other on this issue is well beyond the scope of this essay. However, one of the most common objections I see to loan forgiveness has to do with fairness. People are complaining that it isn’t fair that they had to pay all their debts off so why shouldn’t this generation have to do the same? There is a real fear that this act of forgiveness might lead to an entitlement attitude where a whole generation will get off the hook for paying back what they owe.  This week’s gospel reading is about similar themes. Forgiveness. Fairness. But even more importantly about how God forgives and how that should shape how we forgive.  This may be among the most pointed, clearest teachings on forgiveness in all of Scripture. It spells out exactly what Jesus taught us in the prayer he gave us where

  Icon available from Uncut Mountain Supply 9th Sunday after Pentecost:  Matthew 14. 22-34 - Jesus walks on the water Let’s start with a confession. I relate to Peter in this story. Of course, I’m not putting myself on a pedestal equal to an apostle! I only relate to his “fire, aim, ready” approach to almost everything.   A few years ago I was part of a business workshop that helped business owners figure out their “working style.” I won’t bore you with all the details of that but the style that suited me was called “Quick Start.” Yes, my “style” was leap then look. They said I was the sort of person that was comfortable to start a project then plan it out as I go. In other words, I was comfortable to wing it and make it up as I went along. I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a warning. Likely both. What the intent, it wasn’t exactly a badge of honor! Especially in a business setting where most people love spreadsheets and long planning sessions before launching new projects. H

Reflection on Matthew 14.14-22 - Jesus feeds the Five Thousand   Last Sunday I was helping Erin and Robert Lockridge move a couple of children’s kayaks for a summer camp they are leading. As I was getting the kayaks out of the back of my car, Amarie came over and wanted “to help.” Of course immediately her little brother, Kallum, also wanted in on the action. So now there are 3 of us carrying 2 small kayaks that one adult could easily carry. Amarie had her hand on the front of the kayak, and Kalem was touching the back. In this way, they were “helping.” But what’s actually going on there? How much weight were Amarie and Kalem actually lifting? Answer: not much, if any! Yet, there was something sweet about the scene to me. They were doing what they could. They were contributing. They were a part of something that “big people” do. And honestly, the contribution felt significant. But not for the reasons they likely thought it was. It was significant because adults an