Live in Love.

This past Sunday at St. Mary's we celebrated the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. It was an opportunity for us to remember and pray for those who have gone on before, and to think about their witness and the witness of all the saints, whether officially designated by The Church or not. It was a beautiful service in which we welcomed new members of the congregation, experienced the joy of a baptism, and lit candles for those departed who were near and dear. But that's not what we're here to talk about this week. The service also featured a famous bit of scripture that gives us a lot to think about. And to wonder whether we're up to the task. Our Gospel reading was from Luke 6:20-31, the version of the beatitudes, or blessings, taken from Jesus Sermon on the Plain. (Matthew's version, 5:3-10, comes from the Sermon on the Mount.) In this sermon, Jesus lays out four blessings and four woes, but it's the last part that is a particularly challenging call to action. Jesus lays this charge before his apostles and the gathered crowd: "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you." This is some pretty powerful food for thought, and so we are going to spend some time thinking about and talking about this in our conversation this week. Rather than a series of questions, let's just go with this. If these words of Jesus are central to what it means to be a Christian, how well do we measure up? Join us for the conversation this Tuesday, Nov. 4, starting at 7pm at Irish Tavern in downtown Lake Orion.

This Sunday, all are welcome to join us for a morning of worship and fellowship. Whether you are with us in the sanctuary or joining from afar, your presence strengthens our community. Our services are at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. We warmly welcome those who cannot attend in person to join us via our live stream.

This Sunday, all are welcome to join us for a morning of worship and fellowship. Whether you are with us in the sanctuary or joining from afar, your presence strengthens our community. Our services are at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. We warmly welcome those who cannot attend in person to join us via our live stream.

I was having coffee with a friend this morning, and they brought up an idea that I think makes for a provocative topic of conversation. The thought was both simple but also painfully complex. What would our lives and relationships be like if the burdens we all carry, the weight of our traumas, anxieties, cares, and worries, were visible for all to see? If you need a visual, imagine walking through life with a big book strapped to your back in which was written all the things that make you the person you are in the world, all the good and all the bad. Or shouldering a block of stone upon which all these things were engraved. No longer would you have to explain why you are the way you are, for it would be there for the viewing. But neither could you hide yourself from others. Your story would literally be right there, on display for everyone. It wouldn't be written on your face, per se, but it would be there, apparent to anyone who looks. Would this be a blessing, or a curse? No longer would we have to explain ourselves to others. Why we are the way we are would be plain to see. But no longer could we conceal the things about ourselves that we'd prefer not to acknowledge, or admit to ourselves or to others. What would it be like to live this way? How would it change the way you think of others? How would it change the way you think of yourself? And because this is Pub Theology, I would be remiss if I didn't bring in Jesus' words from the Gospel of Matthew (11:28-30): '“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” We'll talk about all of this in our conversation this evening. Join us for the discussion starting at 7pm at Irish Tavern in downtown Lake Orion.

This Sunday, all are welcome to join us for a morning of worship and fellowship. Whether you are with us in the sanctuary or joining from afar, your presence strengthens our community. Our services are at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. We warmly welcome those who cannot attend in person to join us via our live stream.