Worship & Congregation

In this Sunday’s Gospel, part of the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus shows us the depths of God’s mercy. God sees us, in all our sin and failures, and loves us still, casting a merciful eye upon us and calling us beloved

Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain is all about love too — God’s love, which is not just for one special person at a time. It is for all people and creation, especially those who are hungry, hurting, and overlooked.

Jesus’ instructions reveal a radically new understanding of God’s dream for humanity; power, status, riches, joy, success, and prosperity do not necessarily signify blessing. Instead, “God has exalted the humble.”

It can be a hard to try something new, or something that you don’t think you’re good at doing or being. Jesus made sure [his friends] knew that he would be with them, and God is always with us when we’re trying, when we’re making mistakes, and when we’re achieving. 

In all of our readings this Sunday, someone is questioning their own worthiness to receive or share God’s abundant creation, love, grace, and mercy. And in all cases, their willingness was enough; their willingness to fail, and to fish in the deepest unfamiliar waters, and persist, with faith in the “fishing,” as well as the “catch.”