St. [aka Marina] Pentecost 4B [Miriam of Alexandria] June 20, 2021 5th Century

1 17:57-18:5, 10-16 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Centreville VA Adult Lectionary Forum 2021 Marina, born Mariam, was the child of wealthy Christian parents and is often considered to be a transgender man. Marina's mother died when the was very young & Marina was raised in devout Christian life by her father Eugenius. As Marina’s age of marriage drew near, her father indicated he wished to retire to a monastery once he had found his child a husband. Learning of her father's Marina/ plan, she asked why he intended to save his own soul "and destroy mine." When Her father asked, "What shall I do with you? You are a woman," Marina answered that she would renounce women's clothing & live as a monk. She then

immediately shaved her head & began to dress as a man. Marina’s father, seeing Marinos his child’s strong resolve, gave all his possessions to the poor; the two travelled to Lebanon’s to live in a monastic community & shared a cell. From then on Marina was known to others as Marinos & was believed to be a Kadisha Valley man. Ten years later, Marino’s father died, leaving him alone. Marinos continued * to conceal the fact that he was born a woman. Later, an innkeeper’s daughter Alexandria] of [Miriam who had been seduced by a Roma soldier, accused Marinos of impregnating her. Hearing the story, the abbot called for Marinos and reprimanded him severely. When Marinos realized what was happening, he fell to his knees & wept, confessing his sinfulness (without explicitly stating how he had sinned) & asking forgiveness. That he made no attempt to deny the fault so infuriated the abbot that he expelled Marinos from the monastery. He left at once but remained outside the gates as a beggar. When the woman gave birth, Marinos personally raised the child. A decade later, the other convinced the abbot to allow Marinos to return to the monastery. At age 40, Marinos became ill & died. While cleaning the body, monks discovered that he was, in fact, a woman. The discovery greatly disturbed them, all the more for the injustice with which their colleague had been treated. During the funeral prayers, one of the monks, who was blind in one eye, regained full sight after he merely touched Marinos’ body. Collect for Pentecost 4B O Lord, make us have perpetual love & reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives & reigns with you & the Holy Spirit, one God, forever & ever. Amen.

Prayer for Pentecost 4B [Marina aka Pelagia] Give us grace, Lord God, to refrain from judgments about the sins of others; that, like your servant Marina the Monk, we may hold fast to the path of discipleship in the midst of unfair judgments; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives & reigns with you & the Holy Spirit, one God, eternal. Amen. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Centreville VA -- Adult Lectionary Forum 2021 . soon SaulDavid welcomes : Presents anxiety of an anxious soul anxious an of anxiety Presents for making example an also is Saul on dispatch to hopes Saul David’s on focus with closesText Tragedy of a ruler unfolds: Clinging unfolds: a ruler of Tragedy star rising a as David choosing God’s his secures success ongoing David’s a classical as Saul dismiss Mustn’t shadow of God’s rejection. God’s of shadow -- success. Davidic by consumed -- much so decisions, misguided bad, dangerous a up sets finally he that David. for quest -- but return, not will he hoping missions in grounded are successes latter’s the God.. in trust David’s& help God’s -- whom to leader faithful a as triumph success more even bestows God Synopsis theintohousehold,butroyal favor God’s because angry grows David upon rests now & him leaves Becomes LeastWhen Greatest -- success David’s sees Saul power, to threat a as -- storyline this shapes Judah in -- God’s exemplifies court; at standing election. of freedom -- compassion merits who one but villain, the in living ruler of a example an as Adult Lectionary 2021 Forum Lectionary Adult PENTECOST 4B: STAR SEARCH [1 SAM’L 17:57–18:16]

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poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, & yet possessing everything. - We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 13 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return-- I speak as ] to children-- open wide your hearts also. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Centreville VA Adult Lectionary Forum 2021 30’ or more. or 30’ 700’ MSL; climate can stir can climate MSL; 700’ - : Calminga : at storm sea, crestv not even close. In Matthew and In Matthew close. even not — 41: Calming the sea is a Godly act Godly a is sea the Calming 41: - The Church, too, must guard against guard must too, Church, The of North part deepest is Galilee of Sea faith of a sign danger thru sleeping V38: to Jesus leads appeal 12s’ The V39: V40 than more story: to this key is act The Jesus’ role as teacher is important in important is teacher as role Jesus’ the at lookwe when ironic appears This don’t stillthey but insiders, are 12 The side Gentile = the side” other “the V34: Popularity multitude” the “Leaving V36: Synopsis is seductive & it’s hard to walk away from away walk to hard it’s& seductiveis did however, Jesus, crowd. favorable a elsewhere. work his pursue or pray to so -- success own its by swayed being -- @ riff Jordan that waves -- -- them calm & elements the rebuke calmly -- attention! 12s’ The gets certainly& -- story epiphanythis power, Jesus’ reveal or agent God’s either as Jesus reveals incarnate. God Jesus shows his powershowsLord asall his of Jesus creation. Unity & Faith Of -- parables severalwith opens 4 Ch Mark. given is “To you 12, the tells Jesus which of God…” Kingdom the of mystery the -- sea. at storm of the story -- it” “get the Mark, In clueless. remain they Luke, it.” do “get never 12 -- -- Adult Lectionary 2021 Forum Lectionary Adult Pentecost 4B: Troubled Waters! [Mark 4:35-41]

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