St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Mason, TX

06/28/2025

Wordle 1,470 4/6*

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04/18/2025

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02/17/2025

https://youtu.be/K2n-UGtzeX4?si=VrXv6rit8DKSvYh7
Suffragan Bishop Elect Angela Cortinas’ farewell sermon to St. David’s in Austin

The Rev. Angela Cortiñas' sermon from the second Sunday after Christmas. 01/05/2024

06/23/2024

06/23/2024

06/19/2024

The following is a response to a comment made to me on the Mason County Community page:

Thanks for bringing up Holy Scripture. Our church bases everything on Holy Scripture, informed by ancient Christian tradition, and God’s gift of human reason. At their ordinations all clergy in our church solemnly declare “I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.”

In my own case I studied Hebrew in college and seminary, as well as New Testament Greek. I also have a Masters degree from Harvard where I studied New Testament and Judaism.

It is true that the Bible condemns certain same s*x actions, just as it condemns certain opposite s*x actions. The question is whether the Bible condemns consensual same s*x within a lifetime commitment. I believe the answer to that question is, “No.”

To take each of the passages you cite:
Of Leviticus 18:22 the Jewish Study Bible, published by the widely respected Jewish Publication Society, says, Biblical and ancient Near Eastern culture was not familiar with homos*xuality in the sense of a defined s*xual orientation or lifestyle. It acknowledges only the occasional act of same s*x acts, usually as an act of force associated with humiliation, revenge, or subjection. Of the biblical legal collections there only one other mention, declaring it to be abominable and a capital offense. It seems that the author views all s*xual acts that are not potentially procreative as aberrant. This last point is contrary to the teachings of our church which supports responsible family planning, including the use of contraception. If one agrees with the last point made in 18:22, then one must be opposed to any s*xual act that cannot potentially lead to procreation.

Leviticus 20:13 is based on the same argument.

Jude 1:7 is based on the sin noted in Genesis 19. Again, as the Jewish Study Bible indicates, the wrong that the men of S***m attempt involves not only abhorrent same s*x violence, but a radical betrayal of hospitality, which Lot tries to rectify by offering his own daughters, but is not perhaps something worthy of emulation. In the New Interpreter’s Study Bible it says that while Israelite law forbids violent same s*x actions, “the narrator appears more appalled by other aspects of the behavior of the men of S***m. The story is particularly critical of their mistreatment of guests and disregard for the inviolable codes of hospitality in antiquity and of their mistreatment of an alien in their midst.” This is Jude’s point. He is condemning violence and inhospitality, especially to those false teachers who promote these things.

Romans 1:26-28 and also 1 Corinthians 6:9 condemn behavior that is 1) purely based on lust, and 2) same s*x prostitution which involved minor males in the female role, sadly, part of today’s s*x trafficking atrocities as well with girls and boys. Clearly, these are indeed abominable.

None of these passages begin to address the fact that we now have scientific knowledge that some people are born with an innate s*xual attraction; some to the opposite s*x, some to the same s*x, some to both s*xes. The church expects all people to be chaste and to save s*xual relations for lifelong relationships.

Of course, Jesus says nothing at all about same s*x relationships, but said plenty about opposite s*x lust, divorce, and adultery. He said much more about money, greed, and taking care of the poor and sick. Matthew 25: 31-45 makes clear who Jesus condemns. I wish there was more outrage about these sins.

06/19/2024

Dog Run Sunday

This coming Sunday we will worship with the people of Grace Episcopal Church in Llano at the home of Amelia and Scott Zesch, otherwise known at The Dog Run. This is always a special day to enjoy the wider fellowship we share with our Episcopalian sisters and brothers, and the beauty and hospitality of the Zesches and their home. Scott and Amelia’s pup, Petey Dog, reminds us that The Dog Run is his and he prefers that other dogs respect his space.

God’s Peace,
Tom+
The Reverend Dr. G. Thomas Luck, Vicar Part-Time
Sundays, Wednesdays, and Holy Days
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
PO Box 1843
105 Willow St.
Mason, Texas 76856

Emails and texts will be returned by the next Sunday or Wednesday. On-call 24/7 for pastoral emergencies and/or prayer requests, at (325) 248-9470.
stmartinsmason.org

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, June 23, 11:00 am Holy Eucharist and Pot-luck Brunch at The Dog Run with the people of Grace Episcopal Church in Llano. Scott and Amelia’s pup, Petey Dog, reminds us that The Dog Run is his and he prefers that other dogs respect his space.

Wednesday, June 26, 5:30-6:30 pm: Zoom Community Wide Conversation/Bishop’s Committee: Election of a new Treasurer and Clerk, and consideration of other matters. Larry has agreed to serve as Treasurer, and Jill has agreed to serve as Clerk.

Most Sundays: 11:00 am, Holy Eucharist, followed by Pot-luck Brunch at Sandstone Cellars.
Dogs are Welcome!
Join us in person or at:
https://www.youtube.com/
Or
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84263102043

Meeting ID: 842 6310 2043
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,84263102043 # US (Houston)
+16694449171,,84263102043 # US
Meeting ID: 842 6310 2043
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcbOtHwuxZ

Wednesday, June 26: Zoom Community Wide Conversation/Bishop’s committee-Election of a new Treasurer and Clerk. Larry has agreed to serve as Treasurer, and Jill has agreed to serve as Clerk.

The Collect
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Job 38:1-11

The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

"Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb?—
when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors,
and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?"

The Psalm
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.
The Epistle
2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As we work together with Christ, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return-- I speak as to children-- open wide your hearts also.

The Gospel
Mark 4:35-41

When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Commentaries:
http://montreal.anglican.org/comments/bpr12m.shtml
http://www.textweek.com/writings/job38b.htm
http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm107.htm
http://www.textweek.com/pauline/2cor6.htm
http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/mark4b.htm

Please pray:
For a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and for the continuing humanitarian crisis there.
For peace in the Middle East and an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, and for the continuing humanitarian crisis there.
For peace and justice at home and abroad.
For Jane as she awaits meeting with a neurosurgeon in August to discuss the results of her MRI.

For the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which opens in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. Much of it will be live streamed, including the question and answer sessions with the nominees for Presiding Bishop on Tuesday the 25th, as well as legislative sessions and daily Holy Eucharists. The election of a new Presiding Bishop is on Wednesday the 26th, and the new Presiding Bishop-Elect will preach at the closing Eucharist on Friday the 28th. https://generalconvention.org/gc81/

For St. Peter’s Church in Kerrville and St. Paul’s Church in Brownsville, in the Diocese of West Texas Cycle of Prayer.
https://www.stpeterskerrville.com/
http://www.sanpablobr.org/

For the Church of England, in the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/global_partnerships_england.pdf
https://www.churchofengland.org/

For the churches in Kent and Tanzania, in the World Council of Church Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/kenya-tanzania

Send a message to learn more