Reconciliation, Unity, Compassion -16Aug2020SERMON

Sermon from August 16, 2020 - "Reconciliation, Unity, Compassion"

the Rev. Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

This week our theme is "Reconciliation, Unity, Compassion"...we hear "the end of the story" about Joseph and his brother, about the reconciliation of the family, along with Paslm 133's call for unity, Isaiah's call for justice and compassion, and the call for compassion and Grace to be extended to all people...
Sermon Snippet:
"So we have come full circle  - 
Back to the lessons of Isaiah: “maintain justice, and do what is right… God’s house is for all peoples.”
And the Psalmist: encouraging unity, inclusion… while we wrestle with who exactly are kindred and who are not.
And Joseph’s story of not just reconciliation – but his recognition that God took something bad, horrible, and completely turned it around and with that forgiveness and reconciliation, and the growth of Joseph into a mature man of God, Joseph cared for his family with compassion – as well as the people of Egypt, and the people of the neighboring lands. 
And finally in the story of the Canaanite woman – the inclusion of everyone in the gifts of compassion. 

Let it be so. May we share the gifts of reconciliation, unity, and compassion, with all."