Proper 23.B.24
Mark 10:17-31
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

This morning I awoke to the sound of my iphone alarm in the rectory—a lovely home to live in with seven bedrooms—a rather ridiculous size for two people and their cats. I took a shower with hot running water and put on these clothes—which may not be the most stylish, but were not inexpensive.

I went to the kitchen, enjoyed my breakfast from a full fridge and pantry and rehearsed my sermon which I wrote on my Apple laptop.

Proper 21.B.24
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Proper 17.B.24
James 1:17-27
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Proper 16.B.24
John 6:56-69
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Have you ever wondered why so many people failed to recognize Jesus as the Son of God? If you haven’t pondered this, let me assure you, I have. And I find myself considering whether I would have been one of the faithful—or if I, like many people in the Gospel lesson for today, might have turned away.

Proper 15.B.24
Proverbs 9:1-6
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

For the vast majority of us, Wisdom is gained through experience—it is the accumulation of life lessons. That’s why we oftentimes associate wise people with being great in years. Yet, this is not always the case. Wisdom begins young—just listen to the following gleanings from children, who may not have years on their side, yet are clearly already following the path of the wise:

Proper 14.B.24
1 Kings 19:4-8; John 6:35, 41-51
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Discouragement can be a devastating feeling. And, we’ve all been there. From the little leaguer whose team didn’t win a game all season, to the middle manager who is let go of their job as they approache 60, the high schooler who doesn’t get into the college of their choice, to those in failing relationships and others with mounting medical issues. Who among us, at some point in our lives, hasn’t felt like throwing up our hands and throwing in the towel.

Proper 13.B.24
Ephesians 4:1-16
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul makes a case for unity. He writes: “I, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Proper 12.B.24
John 6:1-21
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

The story of the “Feeding of the Five Thousand” is one of the best known and well loved miracles found in the Bible—and with good reason. It is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. In fact, the symbol of bread and fish is an ancient one, dating back to the earliest days of Christianity—as a symbol both of the Eucharist, and a reminder of this particular miracle—that Jesus took five barley loaves and two fish and fed five thousand hungry people.

Proper 4.B.24
Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Mark 2:23-3:6
The Rev. Melanie McCarley

Proper 4.B.24
Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Mark 2:23-3:6
The Rev. Melanie McCarley