"And He took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:16)

​   Who did Jesus bless?  And who does He bless today?
    Next month we are planning a blessing of Pets.  And in the months to follow we plan to bless others, including children and their backpacks, parents and grandparents, the hands and feet and minds of all who work, firefighters and police, those who are retired...  Do you get where we are going here?  Everyone is blessed by God!!
   As we look closely at the Scripture readings for today, we see an ancient culture that gave power to men, over their spouses and over children.  Slavery was common in that day.  Women and children were considered property to men. 
   We see this in the Pharisees' question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"  And Jesus responds by raising up the value of the community offered in a marriage and family.   For ALL people, no matter the gender or orientation, or ethnic or social-economic status.  Love and commuity is for all people!  
    And so the overarching message of these Scriptures is to address the problems of aloneness with the community that we have in marriage and family.  Not whether or not marriage is only for a man and a woman, or whether divorce is allowed or not.  Or exactly when and where children should be included.
   The message of Scripture, of Jesus!  is that we love one another, be at peace with one another, and live in harmony together as people, all people, everyone, created and blessed by God!  

May God bless us all,

Pastor Steve