A Message from Pastor Kaji

Beloved in Christ,

In our text, Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar are driven by fear and survival. Abraham clings to power, Sarah seeks validation, and Hagar bears the weight of injustice.

This story in Genesis 21:1 and beyond challenges us to reflect: Are we making choices out of fear or faith? What is right? What does God desire?

Trust that divine revelation meets us when we dare to ask these questions.

Are you asking them?

Meanwhile, our hearts go out to everyone affected by the fires in Southern California. Like me, I know many of you have close family friends, and loved ones out there. We pray for everyone’s safety, and are grateful to all the emergency workers for the sacrifices they are making. God bless them all.

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

SCRIPTURE
Genesis 21: 14–19 (Gafney, Wilda. A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church Year C. Church Publishing, Jul/2024. P 39):

14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar. He placed it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. Then she walked away and wandered in the wilderness of Beer¬Sheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she thrust the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat herself down before him some way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Let me not see the death of the child.” So, she sat before him and she lifted up her voice and she wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the messenger of God called to Hagar from the heavens, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Rise, lift the boy and hold him with your hand, for a great nation of him I will make.” 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and let the boy drink.