Joan Clark Houk

Have mercy, tender God,
forget that I defied you.
Wash away my sin,
cleanse me from my guilt.
(Psalm 51:3-4 Liturgical Psalter 1994, ICEL)

“Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”
Who do you need to forgive today?
Is the one you need to forgive yourself?

Some people are black and white thinkers.
Some of them see only the good; others see only the bad.
Some of them see only the rules; others reject all rules.
Some of them see only opportunities; others see only the obstacles.

Life is bigger than black and white.
Life is filled with paradox, ambiguity, nuance, chaos and order.
Life is both / and.

God does not think in black and white.
God thinks in rainbows.
God gave Noah’s Family and us
the rainbow as a symbol of God’s covenant with us,
a symbol of beauty, diversity, mystery.

The rainbow is not the black and white thinking of heaven verses the world.
The rainbow is multi-colored light streaming from the heavens,
touching the earth, the world where we live.

God thinks in rainbows. Do you?

Teach me your way, O God.
For you, O God, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
[from Psalm 86]

In Isaiah (58:1-9a) we learn the kind of fast God desires.
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Black smudges
powdery ashes
of burnt palm leaves
symbol of our communion with all creation
in an everlasting circle of dying to rising.

May our loving God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you

May God look upon you with kindness,
And grant you peace

May our gracious God bless you,
Source of all being, Eternal Word,
and Holy Spirit.

AN INVITATION TO WOMEN CALLED TO ORDINATION

If you have heard God’s call
and the call of community to become ordained as a priest,
I am inviting you to call me for a private conversation where
you may share your story with me.
To reach me, call my phone at 724-612-3842.
All conversations are held in confidentiality.

Life is mystery, changes and transitions.

As one wise, frail woman passes over into new life,
a life that has no limitations,
a baby girl bursts onto the earth, a bundle of energy,
gift of God’s love, symbol of hope for the future.

On October 10^th John’s mother, Ruth Houk, died,
just shy of 98 years of age. It is never easy to say “Good-bye”.
Looking down from her mother’s arms, Beatrice Ruth, 7 months old,
saw her namesake in the coffin appearing to be asleep,
a gentle first experience of death for the baby.

As Beatrice grows in age, wisdom and grace through the years,
she will move with earth’s rhythms asking the questions
that have been asked throughout the ages.
Firmly rooted in the faith and values of her ancestors,
she will feel safe in her questioning.
Beatrice Ruth will come to know
that death is not the end of life, for life never dies,
it just changes and transitions.
Life is change and transition in the deepest of mystery.

May you be blessed with the fullness of life and mystery.

+Joan and John

PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Ever-living God,
your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.

Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit
who prepares us for Christ’s coming.

We ask this through Christ the LORD.
The Church’s Opening Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent — Sacramentary 1985.

REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL FOR
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT       LUKE 1:26-38

It is 4^th down on the 40 with seconds to play and a touchdown is needed to win. Big Ben throws a big looping pass into the end zone. We call this a Hail Mary pass.

Today Luke tells us the story of Mary and the Angel, and Mary says, “How is this possible?” and the Angel answers, “Nothing is impossible with God.” But God has no chance to make the impossible possible unless we throw the pass. Justice is possible. Forgiveness is possible. Reconciliation is possible. Love is possible.

Games are won and lives are changed when we believe the Angel’s message. Try and pray, and be amazed that “Nothing is impossible with God.” Throw the pass.

PRAYER FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Ever-living God,
may we, your people,
who look forward to the birthday of Christ
experience the joy of salvation,
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

We ask this through our Brother Jesus the Christ, your Beloved,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Church’s Opening Prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent — the Sacramentary 1985.

REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

In John’s Gospel, John the Baptist is asked, “Who are you?” When we meet someone new we want to ask, “Who are you?” In Pittsburgh this question goes like this, “What parish did you grow up in?” “What high school did you go to?” “Do you know this or that person?” “Yes, that’s my cousin!” “Then we are related!” Pittsburgh is a great big small town.

John answers who are you? by saying, “I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the LORD.” John is who he is by naming his connection to Jesus. Our connections define who we are.

Jesus is having a birthday party, and you are invited. Will you be there? Who are you?