The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us

Scripture:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3  • 
Psalm 148  • 
Galatians 4:4-7  •
John 1:1-14


It is appropriate, as we begin a new year, that John's gospel is our text this week, opening with "In the beginning was the Word," λόγος , logos, in Greek. This week we learn more about the nature of The Word made flesh, who lives - not just lives- among us, but who tabernacles with us, full of grace and truth, the meaning of grace and truth. And the gift, as well as the giver, and what that means for us. See The Rev. Edward Marquart's "The Word Became Flesh."


Just how much do we mean to God, and each other? Especially in these times. What can we rely on so we do not lose our way? See The Rev. Whitney Rice's "In the beginning..." She concludes  with "This is why scripture matters so much. Because when real life comes crashing in, when the divorce papers are served, when the job loss happens, when the cancer or Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes through, we have to have somewhere to anchor our souls. And we do, in a few simple words a man named John wrote a very long time ago. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The hard knocks of life plus the poetry of scripture give us the chance to build our lives so that we become a word of poetry ourselves, one little phrase expressed by the great Word that is God." The Rev. Cannon Anna Sutterisch says the birth and life of Christ transforms the relationship of God and humanity in Right Relationships." Dan Clendenin challenges us to mean what we say or routinely recite in "Ox and Ass Before him bow."

Saying Yes to God

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16  •Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26   • Romans 16:25-27   • Luke 1:26-38


This week's Scripture is replete with God coming to us through the willingness of a very young woman to say "yes" to God. No cop outs, excuses, or begging out of what God asked of her, but simply and beautifully, Mary says "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

All three authors of articles this week reflect on what it means to say "Yes" to God. See "And It Was Sufficient" by Kyle Childress, “gutsyfaith, greater than the angels – a reflection on the Annunciation" by The Rev. Rick Morley, and Jenny Warner's "The God-Bearer: Advent Reflections on Mary."

What strikes me most is that God chooses the ordinary, the unpretentious, the seemingly powerless - in short, each of us, just as we are, to manifest himself to, and in, the world. And despite our shortcomings and "lowly estate," like the babe in the manger, and his very young mother, the Lord God deems it sufficient and enough to accomplish his will, and bring about his kingdom.

Surprised by Joy

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11  • Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24   • John 1:6-8, 19-28

As we prepare for the Lord's coming, we are reminded that this time of year can be a sad and lonely time for many. A local Catholic church offers a blue mass service for those low in spirit, lonely, depressed, down and out. As we wait and prepare with expectant hope, this week we are invited to share in the joy of the Lord's coming - in the midst of our human condition - amidst times of turmoil, violence, illness, troubles and woes.

As Jesus began his mission, he unrolled the scroll and read from this week's passage in Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners." Isaiah wrote to those returning from the exile of captivity. Returning to the ruins of their homeland. In the midst of those ruins, with great joy the prophet and the Israelites returned, thankful and filled with the promise of restoration.

Psalm 126 shouts of that joy of restoration in every verse, and Luke's Song of Mary, the god bearer (Θεοτοκος) is full of joy as her "soul does magnify the Lord." Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians enjoined them to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for us.

Consider the contrasts, and experience the hope and joy in Daniel Berrigan's, Advent Credo, Steve Goodier's "Surprised by Joy," and Melissa Bane Servier's "Joy?" When you have time, read C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy.

Preparing the Way of the Lord - What is the way?

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11  • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13  • 2 Peter 3:8-15a   • Mark 1:1-8

After last week's apocalyptic passage from Mark, we have the first verse, or introduction, to Mark in this week's gospel. Mark starts with "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," seizes on the writings of the prophet Isaiah, and introduces us to John the Baptist, a voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the path, preparing the way for the Lord, proclaiming a baptism of repentance by water, for the forgiveness of sins. We await the coming of the Lord, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Mark speaks of preparation for the Lord's coming, the author of 2 Peter urges patience and endurance as we wait. Contrasted with last week's cry from Isaiah of "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, " the prophet says, "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God," and he says that the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd, gathering the lambs, carrying them gently in his bosom, and gently leading the mother sheep.

In violent and unsettled times, considering John the Baptist's ministry of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, Kathleen Norris, in "Mercy, Me," asks "Can it be that mercy really is at the heart of God?  In "I Want to Be Ready, " Steve Goodier suggests ways to prepare for the future we are called to. In "Leftovers," Melissa Bane Servier suggests that in the re-imagining, re-emergence of our faith tradition, is a coming anew of God, creating anew, "taking those beautiful flavors of the ancient past and delivering them to us in ever-new ways," - sort of like living anew that glorious feast of Thanksgiving, and the leftovers of all of the wonderful memories, people, stories, aromas and blessings of our lives.

In "Comfort My People," Debie Thomas asks where do we look for comfort? She says the context of the Scripture finds us in a hard place. What an eye and heart opener to know God is with us in hard places. 

Light a Candle of Hope and Peace

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19  • 1 Corinthians 1:3-9  • Mark 13:24-37

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and the first Sunday of Lectionary Year B. We light a candle with readings of hope and peace as we wait the coming of the Christ child, and Christ's coming again. What are called to do, as we wait? In what, or in whom do we hope? What are our expectations about the coming of Christ? Why does Kathleen Morris call her article "Apocalypse Now?"

In "Advent Alchemy," John Stendahl urges us not to choose indifference or resignation in the seasons of our lives as we take care to note the shape of the darkness in which our candles burn. Instead prepare for the Lord's coming by anticipating the good which will come, and shining when and where the light is most needed.

Finally, consider two short readings about Advent Candles, Melissa Banes Sevier's "One Candle," and The Rev. Eric J. Liles, "Why Blue for Advent?"

Sheep and Goats - Judgment, Relationships, Reconciliation

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Psalm 100  • Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Psalm 95:1-7a  • Ephesians 1:15-23  • Matthew 25:31-46

As we end Lectionary Year A on Reign of Christ Sunday, we also finish up Jesus' apocalyptic, or, as Paul Tillich and Rudolph Bultmann characterize it, his eschatological vision and fulfillment in Matthew 25. For Bruce Epperly, Christ turns us toward justice and relationship. God experiences the world and responds to bring about structures of justice and reconciliation. Enjoy reading the dynamics of the loving Creator God, in relationship with his Creation in his "Adventurous Lectionary- - The Reign of Christ."

The Rev. Kate Matthews always brings so much to the discussion. In her Reflection on The Reign of Christ,Christ is With Us, she considers, along with the authors she cites, judgment, freedom, and the "sheep and goats" of Jesus' parable. As Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "We are called to look at each other and see Christ."

Making the best use of our time and talents

Scripture: Judges 4:1-7 and Psalm 123  • Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 and Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12  
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  • Matthew 25:14-30


This week we have scripture and lessons concerning time and how we should meaningfully use that time. The Greek language has two words for time, Καιρός (kairos) and Χρόνος (chronos). In rhetoric, Καιρός means the passing instant when an opening appears which must be driven through with force if success is to be achieved. In Christian theology, Καιρός means "the appointed time in the purpose of God", the time when God acts. Καιρός is timeless, eternal, whereas Χρόνος is "chronological," and is pictured in Greek mythology by Cronos  who represented the destructive ravages of time which consumed all things, a concept that was definitely illustrated when the Titan king devoured the Olympian gods — the past consuming the future, the older generation suppressing the next generation.

The Psalmist says, "Teach us to count our days, that we may have a wise heart." In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells us to be alert, to have no concern about the seasons, but to prepare for the day of the Lord's coming, building up and encouraging one another, and to have faith, love and hope.

Jesus's parable of the talents tells us that the King entrusts his servants with talents, goes away for a long time, and returns to see what they have done with their talents. Talents are not what we might think. What does Jesus mean when he uses the words talents? Is God keeping score, or time? See The Rev. Charles Hoffacker's "Trust, not Fear."  The Rev. Canon Frank Logue also discusses talents, and taking risks. See his "Love is Risky Business."

What are we to do with our "talents"? See Steve Goodier's "All Used Up."

The Wise and the Foolish. The Choices We Make.

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Psalm 78:1-7  • Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Amos 5:18-24 and Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 or Psalm 70  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  • Matthew 25:1-13

In the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, we are tempted to read it in such a way as to bolster ourselves and our thinking as being wise. What is it to be wise? It also is written in an eschatological sense - the meaning of existence and things to come, such as "the kingdom of heaven." What is the meaning and hope of things to come? Consider "Wisdom and Folly," by Debra Dean Murphy.

Ruminating on the declaration of Joshua, "... choose this day whom you will serve [other gods, idols] ... but as for me, and my household, we will serve the LORD," Professor Walter Bruggemann reviews Israel's history and choices, and Christ's feeding of the multitudes in "The Liturgy of Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity," and invites us to change our public life.

"Whether we are liberal or conservative Christians, we must confess that the central problem of our lives is that we are torn apart by the conflict between our attraction to the good news of God's abundance and the power of our belief in scarcity -- a belief that makes us greedy, mean and unneighborly...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if liberal and conservative church people, who love to quarrel with each other, came to a common realization that the real issue confronting us is whether the news of God's abundance can be trusted in the face of the story of scarcity? What we know in the secret recesses of our hearts is that the story of scarcity is a tale of death. And the people of God counter this tale by witnessing to the manna. There is a more excellent bread than crass materialism. It is the bread of life and you don't have to bake it. As we walk into the new millennium, we must decide where our trust is placed... It has nothing to do with being Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, socialists or capitalists. It is much more elemental: the creation is infused with the Creator's generosity, and we can find practices, procedures and institutions that allow that generosity to work. Like the rich young man in Mark 10, we all have many possessions. Sharing our abundance may, as Jesus says, be impossible for mortals, but nothing is impossible for God. None of us knows what risks God's spirit may empower us to take. Our faith, ministry and hope at the turn of the millennium are that the Creator will empower us to trust his generosity, so that bread may abound." - Walter Bruggemann.

All Saints Sunday - What is godliness, holiness?

Scripture: Joshua 3:7-17 and Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37  • Micah 3:5-12 and Psalm 43  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13  • Matthew 23:1-12

As we read the regular appointed Scripture for this Sunday, we also celebrate All Saints. The articles for reading ask about what is godliness, holiness? What are the characteristics of the saints? Who have been saints in your life? 

Michael Anthony Howard, in his "Saints in the hands of a humble heaven," contrasts the saintliness and holiness portrayed in Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the hands of an angry God" with a God who finds us worthy of salvation, and who comes to dwell among us - who chooses to be in the midst of us, in humility and love - not an "over-and-above holiness," but an "under-and-in-service holiness. 

Bob Stuhlmann, helps ground our conceptions of "godliness" and saintliness" in his "Humility Against Despair," Stories from a Priestly Life, drawing on Thomas Merton's Seeds of Contemplation, and learning godliness and saintliness from the words of the Rt. Rev. Mark Evans given to him when his son, Christopher, was born with Downs Syndrome. See "A Place to Call Home."

Living the Great Commandment

This week Jesus teaches us the "Great Commandment" which is a combination of the first part of Israel's great Shema (Hear): "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, The LORD is one. You shall love the LORD you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." And from Leviticus 19, 1-2, 15-18, particularly: "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." 

Professor Alyce MacKenzie tells us in "Reality-Show Jesus: Reflections on Matthew 22:34-46," that Matthew's gospel account has Jesus teaching the Great Commandment after he was tested  by and confronted the religious leaders of his day by overturning the tables of the money changers, telling the parables of the vineyard and wedding feast, and after answering those who seek to entrap him with the question of whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.

What is Jesus teaching us about the Great Commandment? About Love? See MacKenzie's article (above), The Rev. Canon Frank Logue's "Everything Hangs on Love," in which he describes what it means to be committed in loving another as ourselves (agape love - ἀγάπη),  and The Rev. Sharron R. Blezard's "Living the Gospel of Love." What does living The Great Commandment mean while living in community? For us in our parish? See The Rev. Anjel Scarborough's "The Benedictine tradition of community." Laying down our egos, our long-nurtured grudges and resentments, and seeking the way of love is the way of the cross through which we find fullness of life in Christ.

Just when we think we've got it...

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23  • Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23  • Philippians 4:1-9  • Matthew 22:1-14

Just when we think we've got the lesson of the parable this week, Jesus turns the tables on us... again. In Luke's account of this parable, as in the first part of Matthew's account, we get the message - all are  welcome at the wedding feast given by the king, cutting through the legalism, hypocrisy, self righteousness, ownership and control asserted by the religious leaders of the day. But things take a violent turn in Matthew's version of the parable. When a guest does not have a wedding robe, the king orders him taken out, bound and thrown into the outer darkness. Why the violence? Is God rejecting him? Is there no room at the feast for him? What is meant by "many are called but few are chosen?" What is the wedding robe? What is God's grace in all of this? What is meant by Bonhoeffer's saying that there is no such thing as "cheap grace."

Consider John van de Laar's "The Uncomfortable Invitation," and  Samuel Zumwalt's "Ready for the Feast." Debie Thomas asks if we believe in a God of wrath and cruelty, and asks what if Jesus is teaching us not to project our own rationalizations and wishes on God in "The God Who Isn't."

God's Law - Dominion and Control, or Love and Justice?

Scripture:  Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19  • Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15

  • Philippians 3:4b-14  • Matthew 21:33-46

This Sunday we study the Ten Commandments - words carved in stone, or are they more? Laws to be obeyed, or more. Love to be earned, or more. God on high, or more. Laws of dominion and control, or love and justice. Read The Rev. Kate Matthew's "A Rule of Love."

In "Crazy Love," The Rev. David Lose makes some cheeky good points about Matthew's account of another vineyard parable which Jesus gives us. This one is about the vineyard workers who kill servants sent by the landowner to collect his die from his tenants, including the landowner's son. Jesus is reaching the climax of his ministry as he confronts religious authorities on his way to the cross -  to humiliation and exaltation and glory. Why does the landowner keep sending his servants, and even his son to these "bloodthirsty hooligans?" Jesus says it best when he tells them, and us, that "the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes!"  

Does the gospel account have anything to say about how we should read and live out the Ten Commandments?  What do they both say about God and us?

How do we become what God Wants - One?

Another week of grumbling and complaining in the wilderness. God rained manna on his people, not punishment in last week's lesson. This week, acting through his agent, Moses, who strikes a rock with his staff, life giving water gushes forth. Living bread, living water.

What do we look for, what do we find when we are in wilderness times? Do we see our glass half empty? Half full? Is it wrong to question God? Is God present in the good times, but not the bad times? Do we look for mirages instead of the truth in times of want, need or trouble? Security instead of facing our fears and troubles? Read Kate Matthews' "Everyone's a Critic."

And Jesus, speaking with authority (ἐξουσία - a liberating power, not a dominating force), gives us the parable of the two sons who are asked to work in the vineyard. One says he will, and doesn't. One says he won't, but does. Who does the Father's will?

In Paul's beautiful letter to the Philippians, we have the kenosis (κενόω - to empty out). After telling us we need to have the mind of Christ, Paul tells us a love story of Christ's sacrifice from the beginning to the cross. Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross." 

So, with all the grumbling and complaining, how are we to do the Father's will? How can a grumbling church become the church God wants us to be? How can a divided nation become one nation, under God? Consider Will Willimon's "One in Christ." Debie Thomas tells us Words Are Not Enough. 

The first shall be last, and the last shall be first - what really matters.

This week God hears the grumbling of the Israelites in the wilderness, complaining that they don't have food to eat - that it would have better to have died as slaves in Egypt where they at least had food to eat. In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, God hears the complaints of those who came first and worked longer than the ones who worked less time, but all were paid the same.

We read that God rained down something on the Israelites. What was it? What does Jesus mean when he teaches us "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first?" Read about what really matters to God, and what should really matter to us in The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell's "Small and White, Clean and Bright," and "The Generosity of God," by The Rev. Dr. Michael Foss.

How can I forgive when it hurts... when it makes me so angry?

Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  • Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  • Romans 14:1-12  • Matthew 18:21-35

Peter asks Jesus how many times must he forgive his brother who sins (misses the mark in Greek) against him. Jesus answers seventy times. Apart from the number, what does that mean? What if someone you trust betrays you, makes a mockery of you? Hurts you, or a family member or friend? Just won't give up that stubborn pride or position?

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans asks us "Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? We will all sit before the judgment seat of God?

How do we recover and overcome our mistakes when we have judged others, and there has been a broken relationship? Consider Professor Alyce MacKenzie's "You Be the Judge (not!), particularly the story about five monks and the Rabbi, and Dan Clendenin's "Accept One Another: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant."