She Was Taking a Bath

“I wonder … what would Bathsheba’s telling of the story look like? I can scarcely imagine … and yet I know there are those among us here who can imagine only too well. Who have your own stories of violation and imprisonment, abuse and rape. Of being told you are responsible for men’s actions because of how you look or act or dress. Of being judged if your body is unappealing to a man and being told you were assaulted because it was too appealing. Of having even that most sacred of moments, you alone in the bath, violated because there is nowhere you can escape the memory, the fear, the voices that lie and say maybe the people who are telling you it was your fault … are right.” Sermon by Mike Kinman from worship at 9:00 and 11:30 a.m. on Celebration of Ministries Sunday, September 26, 2021 at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Readings: II Samuel 11:2–15 and Matthew 5:21–26. Watch the sermon on YouTube. Read the text of the sermon here. Follow All Saints Church on Twitter @ASCpas. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsPasadena/. Donate to support the mission and ministries of All Saints at https://allsaints-pas.org/donate/donate-now/.