Looking into the lectionary - Superman isn't 'too woke' — he's kind

August 3, 2025 Luke 12:13-21 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost In her luminous book Braiding Sweetgrass, Native American botanist and philosopher Robin Wall Kimmerer shares a dream about visiting her local market on an unusual day. With a basket over her arm, she tries to pay for fresh cilantro, but the vendor pats her arm and waves off Kimmerer’s attempt to pay. “A gift,” the vendor says. As Kimmerer moves further through the market, she sees bread rolls at a stall and opens her purse, but again, the vendor refuses to accept her money, as if it were impolite to pay. Kimmerer looks around in confusion, thinking, “This is a familiar market, yet everything has changed.” In this dream, no shopper is paying. The author drifts through the market with a feeling of euphoria. Gratitude is the only currency accepted here. It’s all a gift — the merchants, it seems, are passing on gifts from the earth. Kimmerer examines her basket, and although it’s half empty, it feels full. Then, noticing a cheese stall, she considers getting some. But after realizing it would be given as a gift, she exercises restraint. She has all she needs in her basket. Kimmerer shares this dream to show that moving from a market economy to a gift economy — from private goods to shared goods — changes everything. When we see the earth’s resources as abundant gifts shared by all, rather than as consumer goods to hoard and sell at market price, our view shifts. As we often say at the communion table: “These are the gifts of God for the people of God.” The parable of the rich fool This story from Braiding Sweetgrass provides an essential context and counterweight for understanding our gospel passage from Luke 12:13-21, the parable of the rich fool. ... Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Thank you to this week's writer, Roger Gench. Order of worship — August 3, 2025, by Roger Gench Superman isn’t ‘too woke’ — he’s kind by Brendan McLean First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville ministers to Texas flood victims, prepares for long-term recovery by Gregg Brekke Hospicing White Christianity and midwifing something new by Tamice Spencer-Helms Want the worship resources for July 27, 2025? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Is death the end? Holding on to love that outlasts loss Is death the end? Earl S. Johnson, Jr. shares a story of grief, God, and how love’s presence endures beyond loss. A blessing for picking up the pieces Blessed are you, who pick up the pieces: who gather sticks and saw down limbs, who drag away the broken branches and rake up what you can amid chaos ... — Eliza Smith DeBevoise Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson  "McPherson was a remarkable female American religious leader when that description fit few others, making her story relevant to Christians today." — Bill Tammeus Holding on A gripping recount of Melanie Spencer's father's passing, his life, and a poem he gave her with his last words of wisdom. Louisville Institute names a new executive director The Rev. Dr. Vanessa Lovelace will begin her new work Aug. 1. — LPTS PC(USA) Co-Moderators reflect at the halfway point of their term The Rev. Tony Larson and the Rev. CeCe Armstrong are traveling the nation and the world to learn from and inspire Presbyterians. — Layton Williams Berkes In four sessions, “Revelation: Professing Christ Today” by Mark D. Hinds seeks to create an inclusive environment for discussing and reflecting on the political ramifications of following Christ.