Lectionary  Reflections for September 9, 2012 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2:1-10, 14-17; Mark 7:24-27 Today’s lectionary readings break down the barriers of rich and poor, insider and outsider, and body and spirit.  The quest for healing and wholeness embraces all of life, and healing in one place contributes to healing in other places.  We cannot separate injustice from physical distress or racism from infant mortality rates and accessibility to health care and healthy diet.  The church’s healing ministry must take on... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for September 2, 1012 Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:1-2, 6-7; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Faith is a matter of head, heart, and hands.  Faith without works is useless, so says the author of the Epistle of James.  Theology that can’t be practiced is irrelevant – a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.  Action without reflection or divorced from values and vision is ultimately aimless and destruction, and certainly self-serving.  Holistic theology embraces the wisdom of embodiment and integrates... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for Sunday, August 26, 2012 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69 Spirituality involves holy space and holy time.  As the grandparent of a two year old, I constantly observe my toddler grandchild alternating between order and novelty.  On the one hand, he is constantly growing, and nothing is safe as he explores everything within reach.  Each day is filled with surprise and adventure.  His learning curve is immense and constantly growing.  On the other hand, he also... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for August 19, 2012 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 In Jesus’ encounter with sight-impaired Bartimaeus, the Healer asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)  To a man who had been paralyzed nearly four decades, Jesus inquires “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)  These encounters suggest that God is not coercive or unilateral in God’s relationship with us.  Rather, God always seeks our abundant life and honors our creativity... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for August 12, 2012 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51 Today’s readings constellate around the themes of nurture and community.  We need spiritual soul food not superficial fast food.  We need the bread of heaven, embodied in earthly relationships; not spiritual quick fixes and easy answers.  We feast on the Spirit when we see God in all things and all things in God. 1 Kings describes Elijah fleeing for his life.  After hearing of his triumph and... Read more

Let everything that breathes praise God. (Psalm 150:6)   Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps…. Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds. (Psalm 148:7, 10)    And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And God saw that it was good.  (Genesis 1:24, 25b)   When students are taught they are no... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for August 5, 2012 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35 Today’s readings reflect on the contrast between life in relationship and life in alienation from God and others.  Disconnected from God’s relational vision, we literally and figuratively destroy our planetary companions.  We use our power to exploit and see others as a means to our gratification.  Connected with God, we support others’ well-being as necessary for our own spiritual growth and material prosperity.  Joined in loyalty to the... Read more

As we read this passage together, my colleague in ministry Phil Gilliland noted, “If we take these passages seriously, everything’s possible.” This can be good news or tragedy depending on how we use our power and whether our use of power is self-interested, domineering, and objectifying or connected with God’s vision of Shalom and abundant life for all creation. Read more

Lectionary Reflections for July 22, 2012 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2;11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Is election partial, predetermined, or universal?  Is it ultimately dependent on God’s choices, divine persistence, human decision-making, or a dynamic divine-human call and response? A recent Christian Century review of conservative Christian responses to Rob Bell’s Love Wins revealed the stake that many conservatives have in a providence that is, by nature, exclusive.  If hell is not a reality, then what is the selling point of Christianity? ... Read more