The Reign of Christ Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 As I write these words, there is confusion in the USA. Hopefully it will be resolved by the Reign of Christ Sunday. With no evidence of election foul play, a national leader refuses to concede and is trying to use all the levers of power to subvert his duly elected successor. Self-interest trumps loyalty to nation, planet, or even his supporters. He cannot imagine anyone placing the... Read more
Honoring Our Veterans with Lives of Sacrifice: Embracing the Moral Equivalent of War My mother was born on November 11, 1918, the day of the Armistice that ended World War I, the most devastating war in history up to that time. Her parents named her “Loretta Victoria” in honor of the allied victory. Twenty-five years later, my father fought in World War II, and served in Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. He wore his uniform proudly, though, like most veterans of... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost – November 15, 2020 Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18.; Psalm 90:1-12; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 On the descending edge of Pentecost, the lectionary passages are challenging and also inspirational. There is risk and there is also promise in encountering the living God. For those who turn to God, who practice justice and take risks for a greater good, the world is alive with possibility. For those who live by scarcity and injustice, hoarding... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – November 8, 2020 – Pentecost 23 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 What does it mean to be a monotheist? What does it mean to believe in God, especially when many conservative Christians have embraced Christian nationalism and elevated Donald Trump to be defender of Christianity? What are the practical implications of following the One True God rather than the many deities of our own creation? The objects of our faith, what... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – November 1, 2020 – Pentecost 22 Joshua 3:7-17; Psalm 1071-7, 33-37; I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12 On the verge the of USA Election, this Sunday’s scriptures paint a variety of pictures of God’s involvement in the raising up of leaders and in our institutional and corporate decision-making. The Israelites believed in divinely chosen leaders. The idea of divinely-anointed leaders is repugnant to us, especially when church leaders connect divine anointing with narrow political ideologies and morally... Read more
CXCIV The Good News is Here (10/17) The time is fulfilled, the realm of God is near, repent and believe the good news. (Mark1:14-15) These brief words introduce Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus is telling the world that now is the day of salvation and wholeness. It’s time to change your life and trust that God is going to do something important and good in your life. We need good news these days! Of course, we need good news every day.... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – October 25, 2020 – Pentecost 21 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 22:34-46 With the election just over a week away, this Sunday’s readings point us beyond the individual self – and our individual life histories – to identification with God’s Self and the well-being of others long after we have left the scene. They move us from self-interest to world loyalty and from short term goals toward the wellbeing of generations decades... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – October 18, 2020 – Pentecost 20 Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, I Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 Today’s readings join witness, politics, and mysticism. The encounter with God relativizes all other demands and requires us to seek justice, to create the foundations in society to promote wholeness and holiness for everyone. The Exodus passage joins mysticism and politics. Moses is in the business of nation-building, seeking to create a nation guided by divine principles. God assures him that... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – October 11, 2020 Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:4-9, Matthew 22:1-14 What happens when we turn away from God and follow the devices and desires of our own hearts? How does God respond to our waywardness? Are there ways that we can stay on the path, knowing from time to time we will miss the mark? As a spiritual guide once said, the path of faith is a constant... Read more
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – October 4, 2020 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4-14, Matthew 21:33-46 While there are many entry points for this Sunday’s readings, I will focus on Philippians 3:4-14 as the primary lens for interpreting the other passages. Looking toward the far horizons, running the race with imperfection and hope, enables us to follow divine guidance (The Ten Commandments) as well as respond to the serious consequences of our responses to God. (Matthew 21:33-46) Good... Read more
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