The Adventurous Lectionary – Trinity Sunday – June 7, 2020

Last updated on: May 28, 2020 at 6:22 pm By Bruce Epperly

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 With summer on the horizon, the scriptures celebrate creation and our place in it. The first message of creation and also incarnation is that it’s not about us, even in a time of pandemic . We have a unique mission but it is part of a larger holy adventure of divine wisdom and creativity, evolving through starts and stops for over 14 billion years. We may be in an evolutionary stop... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Taking Refuge in God

Last updated on: May 28, 2020 at 5:46 am By Bruce Epperly

LXII Refuge in God. (5/28) Happy are those who take refuge in God. (Psalm 2:11. Read Psalm 2 in its entirety.) The Psalms are about nations as well as persons. The Hebrews saw humans as embedded in community. No nation or person ever succeeded on their own but depended on the goodness and justice of the wider community. According to the Psalmist, the nation is in trouble, partly due to its own misplaced priorities, injustice, and failure to follow God’s... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Delighting in God’s Way

Last updated on: May 27, 2020 at 5:00 am By Bruce Epperly

LXI Delighting in God’s Way (5/27) Happy are those who delight in God’s Way. (Psalm 1:2; Please read Psalm 1 in its entirety.) We are beginning a spiritual journey with the Psalms, that will take us through the next month or so and can guide you for your whole life long. The Psalms are appropriate for this time of pandemic. They address every situation of life. Some are filled with grief and lamentation; others with anger and vengeance; still others... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – More Than We Can ask or Imagine

Last updated on: May 26, 2020 at 5:37 am By Bruce Epperly

LXI MORE THAN WE CAN ASK OR IMAGINE (5/26) God is able to give us more than we can ask or imagine according to his power within us. (Ephesians 3:20) This is a really big promise, “more than we can ask or imagine.” It seems unrealistic, wishful thinking, and we are the privileged ones. We have homes, food, electronics, and media. We have people to whom we can reach out. We are very different from the Ephesian church, which likely... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Memorial Day

Last updated on: May 25, 2020 at 6:02 am By Bruce Epperly

MEMORIAL DAY (5/25) There is no greater love than laying down your life for your friends. (John 15:13) Sacrifice is at the heart of reality. Whether it is a mother bird defending her nest, a police officer on patrol, a parent defending their child, or a soldier risking life and limb in war, our wellbeing depends on the sacrifices of others. We need to remember on Memorial Day the women and men who suffered injury and death on behalf of... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Ubuntu Spirituality

Last updated on: May 24, 2020 at 5:43 am By Bruce Epperly

UBUNTU SPIRITUALITY (5/24) Abide in me as I abide in you. (John 15:4) Bishop Desmond Tutu popularized the word “ubuntu,” to describe the goal of human relationships. Ubuntu means “I am because you are” or “I am because we are.” Ubuntu is the virtue of interdependence in which our joys and sorrows are one. When you succeed, your success contributes to my wellbeing. My success brings wellbeing to your life. The apostle Paul calls this “the body of Christ,” the... Read more

Memorial Day in a Time of Pandemic

Last updated on: May 23, 2020 at 6:31 pm By Bruce Epperly

I was raised in small town America, where Memorial Day meant parades, flag waving, flowers at the cemetery, and honoring of those who died in service to our nation. It was the Eisenhower era and we were patriotic, but not jingoistic. We loved our nation, but we recognized that others loved their nation as well. We waved the flag and affirmed that America was at its best when we worked together for a common cause that transcended our race and... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic: A Politician who God it Right

Last updated on: May 23, 2020 at 5:38 am By Bruce Epperly

LVIII A POLITICIAN WHO GOT IT RIGHT (5/23) Don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) In a time of crisis with the collapse of national unity on the horizon, the greatest of presidents Abraham Lincoln asserted “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory . . . will yet swell . . .... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Altars Everywhere

Last updated on: May 22, 2020 at 5:52 am By Bruce Epperly

ALTARS EVERYWHERE (5/22) Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and invoked the name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus

Last updated on: May 21, 2020 at 6:17 am By Bruce Epperly

LXVI. EYES ON JESUS (5/21) Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. (Matthew 14:28-31) Keep your eyes on Jesus! That’s the lesson... Read more