Hospitality and a cup of cold water - what does God require of us?

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14 and Psalm 13  • Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18  • Romans 6:12-23  • Matthew 10:40-42

 In this Sunday's readings we have the amazing story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Are we, like Abraham, being tested?  Consider Dan Clendenin's "A Terrifying Text: Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah," and, along with Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, put yourself in Abraham's shoes. Compare this with last Sunday's gospel where Jesus says that whoever loves his son or daughter more than me, or who does not take up their cross and follow me, is not worthy of me.  What does God ask of us?

Enjoy the story of wild haired college student John, who squats in the isle of a church service in  Christopher Burkett's "The Smallest of Good Deeds." 

What does God want us to do? Read Fr. Ric Morley's "sit up straighter..." Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me.

God's Peace in the Midst of Fear and Chaos

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17  • Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18  • Romans 6:1b-11  • Matthew 10:24-39

"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me." Words from a favorite hymn. In this week's scripture, from Hagar's despair over her son, Ishmael, cast out in the desert and death of her son looming, to Jeremiah's lament, to Jesus telling the disciples that God cares for them as he sends them out to take his message of love and forgiveness to a hostile world, we learn that God sees, hears, is present, and provides. God knows when every sparrow falls, and every hair on our heads is counted, Jesus tells us. 

And what about that hostile world and our greatest fears? How is God with us? What does God's peace mean for us? Read Debie Thomas' essay, "What to Fear."

In "Sent," The Rev. Joslyn Ogden Shaefer says Jesus sends out his disciples to interrupt the world-as-they (we)-know it with new possibilities for healing, wholeness, truth-telling, and repaired relationships.

There will be storms and battles, but, thanks be to God, through Christ, there will be victory, even victory over death. Read "Ishmael: God Hears and Sees," by Dan Clendenin and  "Facing battles with the promise of victory," by The Rev. Canon Frank S. Logue.

Dancing in divine relationship - Trinity Sunday

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Psalm 8  • 2 Corinthians 13:11-13  • Matthew 28:16-20

This is Trinity Sunday. In "A glowing oven full of love," The Rev. Dr. Joseph Pagano discusses the social nature of God, and "relationship," within the Godhead, with God and us, and the relationships we have with each other. Part of our scripture is one of two creation stories from Genesis which says that we are created in the image and likeness of God. And God saw what he had created, and it was good. This is cause for celebration in relationships. Read the Genesis account and Psalm 8. 

Katrina K. Whitley, in The Mystery of the Trinity God , discusses the relationship of the Triune God in Richard Rohr's book, The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation with references to Dorothy L. Sayer's book, The Mind of the Maker.  She discusses being created in the image of God, and the creative spirit with which God endowed us, comparing the creative process of Idea, Energy, and Power to God, the Word made flesh - the Son, and the Holy Spirit - the breath of God, the  παράκλητος  (paracletos) -  "one who consoles or comforts, one who encourages or uplifts; hence refreshes, and/or one who intercedes on our behalf as an advocate in court." Or from the Greek root words which mean "to make a call close- beside us, and advocate." Whitley reminds us that it was not enough that we were given the Word. We are to take the living Word to the ends of the earth. Read the passage from Matthew.  

 The power of God is with us in the creative dance of, and with, the divine. Read the Genesis account.

Pentecost - the Church's amazing birthday party

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b  • 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21  • John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

  This week is the church's birthday - Pentecost. We read in Acts of the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples with a sound like a violent wind, and divided flaming tongues dancing over their heads. Top that Mick Jagger! And then the most amazing thing, those rustic Galileans spoke in languages all flesh, for all time, could understand. 

  In her Reflection on the gospel of John's account of Jesus giving us peace through the Holy Spirit , Sister Kym Harris tells us that  it is not the kind of peace that turns us off, but like electricity, it turn us on to a power enabling us to do far more than we can ever do ourselves, to live lives of abundance, free from compulsions, selfishness, and whatever holds us back from advancing God's kingdom of love. In her Exposition, she speaks of the power given to us by the Holy Spirit to deal with sin - the power to forgive, not only others, but our selves, so we can get up off the mat, renewed to serve up the Good News of Christ's love and abundance of life.

  In "Things like that don't happen anymore, right?," The Rev. Marshall Jolly asks "Could a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit happen? What do you think? What would it look, sound, feel and be like?  

Ascension Sunday - what is its significance for our faith?

Scripture: Acts 1:6-14  • Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35  • 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11  • John 17:1-11

This is Ascension Sunday. We, along with the disciples, Mary and other followers of the Lord, witness Jesus coming into his glory and authority. What is the significance of the Ascension? What is the glory of God? What is the power and authority of Christ? Has Jesus left us? What are we commissioned to do? 

 

Consider The Rev. Ben Helmer's "Jesus didn't say, 'Beam me up," and Sister Kym Harris'  "This Sunday's Commentary."

 



Rocks and Stones - the Way, the Truth, the Life - the Mission

Scripture: Acts 7:55-60  • Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16  • 1 Peter 2:2-10  • John 14:1-14

This week's readings contain the imagery of rocks and stones - the stoning of Stephen, the rock of refuge and fortress in Psalm 31, and living stones building a spiritual house, believing on the living stone which is the cornerstone the builders rejected. See "And then the Stones Cried Out, " by Native American writer Coyote Terry Aleck and Melanie Delva.

These passages are read together with this week's gospel account in which Jesus tells us that he goes to prepare a house for us - that in his Father's house there are many mansions, and that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. That no one comes to the Father except by him.

Is Jesus talking about things to come, the here and now, or both? See  "Building the Kingdom, Stone by Stone," by The Rev. Dr. Susanna Met.

Is Jesus inclusive or exclusive in his statement that no one comes to the Father except by him? Consider "No Power Shortage Here, " by The Rev. Dr. Fred A. Anderson.

"I am the Gate for the sheep"

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47  • Psalm 23  • 1 Peter 2:19-25  • John 10:1-10

This is Good Shepherd Sunday in Lectionary Year A. This year we read the first part of the Good Shepherd story in John's gospel, verses 1-10. In Year B, we read verses 11-18. In this year's lesson, Jesus is telling his diverse audience about the shepherd who is the one who enters by the gate, who calls the sheep by name, whose sheep know him, and that he is the gate of the sheep. What does he mean by that? At another point, Jesus says that he who enters by him (the Gate) will be saved. He leads the sheep in and out, and they will find pasture. Read this in conjunction with the 23rd Psalm. Jesus says that all who came before him were thieves and bandits, who came to destroy, but the sheep did not listen to them. In contrast, Jesus said he came that they might have life, and life abundantly.

Does this mean, as we hear so many Christians say, that Jesus only offers salvation and life to a select few? Read the remaining verses of John10:11-18. We read about the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, and that there are other sheep in other folds who belong to him, and he will bring them in. Consider The Rev. Dave Johnson's "I am the Gate."

In leading the sheep out of the fold to pasture, is the life we are promised all peace, comfort and security? Remember that part of Psalm 23 which says that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me; your rod and staff - they comfort me. See "The Shepherd Who Casts Us Out; A Homily for Good Shepherd Sunday" by David R. Henson.

What is abundant life?