"Jacob was a Heel"

Proper 13.A.20
Genesis 32:22-32
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Jacob was a heel. No…really, he was. In truth, that’s what the name Jacob means. The root of the Hebrew name “Jacob” means to “supplant, circumvent, assail and overreach.” It also means “heel.” What’s more, remember that Jacob was born grasping the heel of his brother Esau. Jacob was a heel.

"Finding the Kingdom of God"

Proper 12.A.20
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Today’s lesson is chock full of parables. Five of them, in fact: The mustard seed, leaven in a loaf, treasure in a field, the pearl of great P andRICE a dragnet of the good and bad.

But look closely, and we can discern a similarity amongst several of these stories as well. Jesus, here, is teaching us one of the most remarkable truths that comes from the Gospel—he’s speaking of the hiddenness of the kingdom of God, and encouraging us to search for this mystery and make it our own.

"Rooting out the Weeds"

Proper 11.A.20
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

There is something about human nature that prompts us to divide people into groups. Think about it. There are upper, middle and lower class individuals: blue collar and white collar workers, smart and stupid, nobles and serfs, tall and short, skinny and fat. And, of course, how can a clergy person omit the saved and the damned.

"A Cup of Cold Water"

Proper 8.A.20
Matthew 10:40 - 42
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

The Gospel theme for this morning is hospitality. Jesus says: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” And he ends with “and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

"The Time is Ripe"

Proper 6.A.20
Matthew 9:35-10:23
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

It’s strange, really. During this awkward season in which we are living, when many of us feel as though our lives have been put on “pause” if not “stop”, the Gospel lesson for today focuses on The Great Commission. It seems a bit out of place. After all, what can we do? In so many ways we’re stuck.

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