XXVI. SERVING ONE ANOTHER (4/9) Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:4-5) In a time of personal crisis, with the cross looming, Jesus goes beyond self-interest to serve his disciples. He washes their feet – grimy, smelly, rough feet. The leader becomes... Read more
XXV. HOMESCHOOLING (4/8) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and humankind” (Luke 2:52) During Holy Week, we discover that we have a lot to learn – about ourselves, others, God, and the distance between God’s dream and our reality. We are finite, fallible, prone to self-interest, and often myopic and tunnel visioned. And, yet, we are children of God, reflections of divine wisdom, and able to grow beyond our wildest expectations in love, service, and... Read more
The Seven Last Words of Jesus: A Progressive Vision Bruce Epperly When I recently told a colleague that I was writing a brief piece on the Seven Last Words – or Seven Sayings – of Christ and having a Zoom service on Friday, he responded: “Isn’t that a bit old school, Bruce? Why bother with something that is obviously inaccurate and outmoded in terms of current theology?” He followed with, “Isn’t this all superfluous right now with the pandemic having... Read more
XXIV. YOU ARE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE (4/7) “God created humankind in God’s image, male and female God created them.” (Genesis 1:27) A dear friend and colleague of over three decades tells me how her family berated her as a child. Although she was quite winsome and intelligent, her parents bombarded her with messages: “You’re not smart, you’re not athletic, you’re not beautiful. You’ll never amount to anything.” She has succeeded beyond her wildest expectations – she is healthy, creative,... Read more
XXIII. THE CENTER IS EVERYWHERE (4/6) “Cleave the Wood and I am There” (Gospel of Thomas, 77) One of my favorite sayings comes from various sources including Bonaventure and Nicolas of Cusa: “God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” This wisdom reminds us that we are in the center of God’s care. The practical meaning of divine omnipresence is that God is everywhere and one of those “everywheres” is my life. God’s energy gives... Read more
XXII. PALM SUNDAY (4/5) “Hosanna, blessed is the one who comes in the name of God” (Matthew 21:9) Holy Week begins with celebration. Waving palms and shouts of joy, the crowd welcomes Jesus. For a moment, all is well with the world. For a moment, the way of Christ is triumphant. Trouble is on the horizon, but for this moment, the crowds need to sing and shout and imagine a better world. Singing and dancing can be gifts in a... Read more
XXI. SABBATH TIME (4/4) We are the children of Jesus and his companions. While Jesus on occasion challenged legalistic understandings of the Sabbath, he took Sabbath-keeping seriously. Many of us are experiencing an unexpected Sabbath these days. On Saturdays or Sundays, we can’t go out as usual, we aren’t shopping, or going to games. There aren’t any games to see! Life has slowed down for me, as my physical world has shrunk to my home, Craigville, Covell’s, and Dowse’s beaches,... Read more
XXI. THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE (4-3) You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine. (Matthew 5:14-16) Growing up, I learned the simple song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” The verses that went with it... Read more
This year Holy Week seems only too real. There is no faux suffering or abandonment to conjure up. No experiences of conflict to imagine. No encounters with religious and political powers and principalities we need to simulate. We are in the center of a maelstrom of uncertainty. The Pandemic has put everything in doubt. We have fled to our catacombs, sheltering in place, to avoid danger. Our churches are shuttered and worship services are virtual, and our re-opening days have... Read more
VOCATION IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC Can this time of pandemic be a call to deepen our sense of vocation? In this time of sheltering in place, can we discern God’s call in our lives? I believe that every moment is a vocational moment. Every situation is a call from God where our gifts and unique personality can be gifts to those around us. I believe that God gives us long-term as well as moment by moment visions and callings,... Read more
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