Diocese of Washington Diocese of Washington

Bishop Mariann preaching at St. Michael and All Angels’ Church.

This may sound like a fantastic story and it is. But here’s the takeaway: each and every one of you has walked on water, and more than once. Perhaps not in the way that Simon Peter did, but in other ways just as important, just as miraculous. Every time you tried to do something that you’ve never done before, you were walking on water. Every time you stretch beyond your capacities, you were walking on water. Every time you took a risk--perhaps inspired by someone else doing the same, as Simon Peter was by Jesus’ example--you were walking on water. And you weren’t being superhuman those times. You were being the most human, and in your finest hour. We were created to walk on water.

Bishop Mariann preaching at All Souls Episcopal Church- Father's Day 2019

As best you can, and trust that God is with you, among you, for you, and through you for others’ sake. Take note of your experiences and longings, and follow where they lead. Let go of the images of God that you can’t believe in, and move toward the ones you can. Remember that definition of belief isn’t the absence of doubt but the willingness to trust and to give one’s heart. You can put your trust in God your Creator made known to us in Jesus, and whose Spirit is with us always. Your heart is safe in God.

Bishop Mariann preaching on Pentecost 2019 at St. Columba's Episcopal Church.

Inspired is the word we use to describe extraordinary human activity, with a tacit acknowledgement of a creative energy and power beyond the self. In all major religions, such inspiration is explicitly acknowledged as a gift from God and is, indeed, evidence of God at work in our lives and in our world. For Christians, the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to us that he would send his Spirit, and through the Spirit we would receive power and strength, guidance and wisdom to be his witnesses and to live joyful, purposeful lives.

Bishop Mariann preaching "Living God's Dream with God's Strength" at St John's Episcopal Church- Broad Creek on April 7, 2019

If King’s dream had been his own alone, it would have died with him. But his dream was, in fact, God’s dream taking up residence in him. The dream was of God’s justice, and that is a dream that can never die. It will be passed on from one generation to the next until it is fulfilled. We, like King, can dream God’s dream, align ourselves with God’s love, love most fully embodied in Jesus. To do so is the highest thing we can aspire to in this life, even if most of us live that love and that dream in relatively modest ways.

Bishop Mariann preaching at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church- March, 2019

Keep watch for the open­-ended burning bushes that call out to you because you are in a position to respond. They will present themselves at an inconvenient time, but the world is held by those who respond. And know that there is most certainly a burning bush for you, and you alone, because of who you are, the gifts you have, the wounds you’ve endured. When such a burning bush presents itself, remember that God is calling you as you are, for who you are. Moses was utterly and completely human when God called him. And so are we.

Bishop Mariann at Grace Episcopal Church- Silver Spring; March 2019

We have a crossing over to accomplish, and a truth to acknowledge. Perhaps we have a relationship to reconcile, a secret to disclose, a new possibility to consider. We all have work to do. Jesus makes it quite clear that there is pain involved in this process, as there is with any birth and transformation. But he goes with us, showing us the breadth of God's love and lengths that God is willing to go for our sake. His life and death is a parable of how redemption works—that out of pain there is joy; out of fear arises courage; and out of death, we emerge with a transformed life.