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
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
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In