Angela Taylor Perry

Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns’” (Matt. 16:23).

When I read that verse, my first response is that I want that kind of wisdom to rightly discern what is not of God. But then Jesus goes on to say to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (v. 24).

We Celebrate Creation

God looked into emptiness and created all that is.

God spread out the earth in its diversity

with mountains and valleys, rivers and fertile plains.

There were patches of flood and fire,

of dryness and of vivid green,

embraced by the wind and sea,

a sun-filled landscape of hospitality.

And threading through it all, like weavings of golden hope,

were dreams of justice and compassion

and gentle streams of peace.

God gathers all repentant people into communion,