XXXIV. IN THE BREAKING OF BREAD (4/16) As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were... Read more
XXXIII. ON THE ROAD WITH JESUS (4/16) While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (Matthew 24: 15-16) On Easter day, two followers of Jesus are heading home. They have heard the news of the resurrection but are still in a state of shock. Resurrection turns everything upside down. Resurrection challenges our images of the human adventure. Resurrection shows that life is more powerful than death... Read more
XXXII. BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD (4/15) After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:20-22) On Easter night, Jesus’ followers were sheltering in place for fear of the... Read more
XXXI. I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE (4/14) Jesus said to her “Mary.” (John 20:16) Virtually every month when I ask for favorite hymns, “In the Garden” is a request. We can identify these words with the death of a loved one, parent, or friend: “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still is on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the son of God discloses, and he walks with me and... Read more
XXVIX. EVERY MORNING IS EASTER MORNING (4/ 12) “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, he has risen.” (Luke 24:5) Our world is filled with death. Of course, there is nothing new about this. The mortality rate is 100%. Thousands of people die every day from cancer, heart disease, and flu. But this pandemic is different. It seems out of control, having emerged in our experience less than six months ago. We are... Read more
XXVIII. HOLY SATURDAY: LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY (4/11) And so because it was the Jewish day of preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:42) We are living in Holy Saturday these days, and for the foreseeable future. The pandemic has not fully peaked and we know it will be with us for the indefinite future. Those who thought church doors would open for Easter have re-dated to the end of the month and perhaps beyond. Deep... Read more
Easter – When We Most Need a Resurrection! This year in North America, Easter feels different. This year, there will no sunrise services, trumpets, lilies, bonnets, new suits and dresses. There will no joyful hugs and triumphant hymns in our sanctuary. We have been shaken out of our North American complacency. Our assumptions and illusions have been dashed by the realities of the Coronavirus. No willful pastor can defeat Coronavirus by holding Easter services. We don’t expect the virus to... Read more
XXVII. GOD IS WITH US IN OUR PAIN (4/10) “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Truly, there is nothing good about good Friday. There is nothing good about this pandemic. Suffering, death, poverty, isolation are evils that we try to avoid at almost any cost. There is nothing good about abandonment on the cross. And, yet, God uses the cross as the pathway to resurrection. While I don’t believe Jesus was destined to die, I... Read more
Just Breathe and Embrace Your Doubts! – The Second Sunday of Easter – April 19, 2020 Bruce G. Epperly John 20:19-31 This year, I will be preaching from these scriptures on April 19 (John 20:19-23) and April 26 (John 20:24-31) from the comfort of my home. I believe these passages are important in this time of pandemic. We need the breath of God. We also need to respond creatively to our doubts regarding God’s presence in this time of danger... Read more
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The Adventurous Lectionary – The Third Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2020
The Adventurous Lectionary – Third Sunday of Easter – April 26,2020 Acts 2, 14a, 23-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; I Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 For people most likely sheltering in place, today’s scriptures are about movement, reminding us that movement can be spiritual and ethical as well as physical. We are challenged to take journeys without distance and to use our sheltering in place as an opportunity for spiritual adventure. Today’s reading highlights the Emmaus Walk. It could be titled, “Let’s... Read more