Eighth Sunday after Pentecost / Proper 10, Year B July 14, 2024 St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Seattle Readings:  Amos 7:7-15; Ps 85:8-13;...

This question, “What is to prevent me from being baptized?” is meant to be rhetorical, yet if we ask it seriously, it becomes apparent that there are many potential barriers to baptism at play in the world—including, or especially, toxic waters.

God acts in and as Love incarnate when we love our neighbors as ourselves, when we seek to be reconciled to one another, when we remain alert and ready to forgive others and ourselves. For forgiveness is the companion to love.

God’s response to fear and oppression is to draw the lost back into community, feed the hungry so they can think about something other than numbing the pain, cover and protect those who find themselves exposed to inhospitable conditions.