A Shepherd In The Field

“ The Lord’s mercy endures forever.”  Psalm 136 Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’  Matthew 9:13 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful ...”  Luke 6:36 Mercy is powerful, transformative, hopeful, life-giving, and foundational to both the Old and New Testaments. Mercy is knowing that we are forgiven. Mercy speaks of God’s inexhaustible love for each one of us. Mercy is demonstrated daily through our acts of compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, and love. Mercy that Jesus Christ is risen and present.  The world is being defined by retribution, division, lack of accountability, and a “winner takes all” attitude. Despite its loving power, mercy is often forgotten or ignored. We cannot be held hostage by the ways of the world. We must demonstrate in each thought, word, and action that we are liberated by the mercy and love of God. ...

I did not have the opportunity to capture the usual interviews.  My fault.  Luckily Jennifer Tucker was extraordinary.  She captured footage.  I have to return to St. Peter's for the interviews. 

The following is a sermon given by Bishop Gutiérrez for the Celebration of Absalom Jones at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. "Get out of that pew and move.” Those words filling the ears of Absalom as he was kneeling in prayer. “Get out of that pew” directed to the beloved children of God in 1792, as ushers forcibly attempted to move them to the balcony at St. George’s Methodist Church. Painful words polluting a sacred house of God just a few miles from here. “Get out of that pew and move.” Few would realize how those words would impact this city, nation, and the church. When those words of hate were let loose, it set off a sacred chain of events that touches each one of our lives. Christians are part of our painful history and promise of a new pilgrimage.  Words used for 228 years against God’s beloved. “ Get out” toward Ezell, David, Franklin, and Joseph, at that Woolworth’s in Greensboro. “Get out” of my state as heard by John as he crossed the Edmond Pettis bridg...