13th Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 The gospel lesson for this Sunday is worthy of [many] nightmares. No wonder my current confirmation class elected this text from Luke, the toughest of Jesus' sayings. Pastor, does Jesus want us to hate our beloved family members? Take away our lives? Die …
The Word this Sunday, 12.20.2020 – 4th Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 Image by Lumo Project through FeeBible Images. Mary is the star of this fourth week of the Advent season. As Christian faith communities prepare in anticipation of the Christ savior, the annunciation to the very young mother of our Lord inspires us today to feel …
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The Word this Sunday, 12.13.20 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 It is a promise of old, rejoice! Hail to the Lord who proclaims the Word of hope through the mouth of Isaiah, the greatest prophet! Yes, the Word insists. The Word insists in bring good tidings to the desperate, to the isolated, to the …
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The Word this Sunday, 11.22.20 – Christ the King
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7a; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 "That day" has come and The Son of Man in all glory is indeed ready to set apart sheep and goats. No more confusion, things are clear now.
The Word this Sunday, 11.15.20 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost
The day of the Lord, the day of YAHWEH, the day of Christ, the day of judgment, whatever such day is, oh, we have been conditioned to fear “that day,” perhaps with good reason.
The Word this Sunday, 11.08.20 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Image by Lenora Cagle from Pixabay Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 Every time I look up the parable of the ten bridesmaids, I seem to find something else that causes me to struggle with it. The bridegroom, Jesus, is late! It caused the bridesmaids to fall asleep and some lamps maybe …
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The Word this Sunday, 11.01.20 – All Saints
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12
What we celebrate this Sunday has been known by different names, but none quite as striking as the church triumphant. However, if we are mourning the loss of a loved one recently, especially if it has come prematurely, it may be nearly impossible to see any triumph in this event. Triumph would mean for us to beat the disease, to have more time, to survive the accident. Triumph would mean victory, but losses are likely to feel like what they are, defeat. It is not so in the community of saints, in the church of living stones.
Lections for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, September 8, 2019
We all heard that one needs to develop good life skills to do well. Perhaps Jesus is trying to make sure that we have the right tools for the journey.
Lections for Maundy Thursday, April 18, 2019: Love Universal – Part I
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples" - John 13:35a -The premise of indiscriminate love, one that reaches every corner, every people, and permeates through any difference, to restore things thought of being beyond repair, may take a lifetime to accept.
Lections for Palm/Passion Sunday, April 14, 2019.
by Free-Photos from Pixabay Theater of Horrors Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-9a ; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11 ; Luke 22:14--23:56 “Father, forgive them;for they do not know what they are doing.” - Luke 23:24 The Passion narrative in Luke is a biblical text where listening to the Word may be even more powerful than reading it. …
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Bridging Faith 