On the Way to Calgary
Devotions and prayers for the 2026 Leadership Gathering
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank
California-Pacific Conference
Sunday, September 20, 2026 · Third of seven devotions
Seven bishops from across the connection are offering a devotion and a prayer on each of the seven Sundays leading to the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Alberta, October 20 to 24, 2026. You are invited to read, to pray, and to share these with your congregation.
Scripture
All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.
“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’”
Matthew 25:32-40, CEB
Reflection
One morning during my devotions outside on the patio, I sent my brother a Marco Polo and while videoing it, my eyes welled up with tears. I asked myself, “What are you crying about?” I was feeling the sadness of the world as I paid attention to the state of things, including:
- Hearing the cries of the clergy who are carrying so much in this world.
- Noticing fights between humans, churches, parties, and countries that are painful, even atrocious.
- Hearing the cries of the children of the world: those being torn away from their parents by ICE on our streets, and those who are crying for hunger while leaders waste their time attending to war plans.
- Seeing those who are sick with loneliness, sick with disease, and lacking community.
- Watching the earth groaning with earthquakes, floods, storms, and fires.
- And noting that we don't know how to get plastics and toxins out of our bodies, or our world.
I recognize that there is still good news in the middle of it all.
- The leaves on the trees are still bursting with vibrant greens, and the birds and squirrels still come to say hello every morning.
- The clergy and laity are so very courageous and are trying to love and cherish the world despite the difficulties they encounter every week.
- The news has an OFF button.
- Justice workers keep showing up to change the systems that bring harm, sorrow, and death.
- Some are trying to figure out how to address plastic and toxins in our world.
- Moms and Dads are sending their children off to school with anticipation, tears, and courage.
There is good in the world too.
In the middle of all that, my question is, “What is the Church up to in these days?” Are we up to spreading the love around as far and wide as possible? Are we still loving our enemies? Are we throwing the doors open wide for those who struggle, embracing them with resources, jobs, school enrollments, and providing safe sanctuary? Are we up to the work of ending spiritual and physical hungers in our neighborhoods, cities, and world?
What the heck are we up to?
A religion that sits in pews, sings songs with apathy, tolerates a sermon, and then fights over who rules the kitchen, or the finances, or the traditions that keep people out… that is not my religion and I hope it is not yours.
You see, while the world is falling apart in many ways, we need to stay strong in love and in action. The only way to fight evil and harm is with love and goodness. Our words need to cry out, “I see you! I'm here.” And our actions need to be the foundation for our words as we feed the hungry, visit those in prison, march in the streets, and welcome the neighbor who some call a “stranger.” We are the ones that can make a difference, who can change the trajectory of our existence. There is no one else coming to rescue us. We must do the work of loving God, loving our neighbor, and even learning to love ourselves better. It is the work of the Church, and we are needed now.
And so, as the tears flow for our world, we can treasure each tear as we pray.
Prayer
Dear God,
We are so in need of you today. We hear the cries and the groans and the hurts of our world, of Your world. We understand our part in the harm, and we ask you to cleanse us and ready us to meet the needs of our neighbors, the earth, and the whole world. You have taught us to love and you have asked us to be a part of the transformation that is needed now. Help us to have the courage to act in love, the wisdom to speak for justice, and the heart to meet people, and the world, with mercy. Guide us, Your Church, as we seek to follow Your way. Help us to live in such a way that heaven is felt even on this earth.
Be very near to us, O God. For we have need of You. Amen.
Read the whole series: On the Way to Calgary.
Next: Bishop João Filimone Sambo, Sunday, September 27, 2026.