The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifth Sunday in Lent – March 29, 2020 Ezekiel 17:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 I recognize that most of us will be having “virtual church,” this Sunday. We are in a wholly new time, one that few of us could imagine a month ago. Our churches have come to a standstill in terms of person to person programs and the foremost issues on most of our congregants’ minds will the impact of the... Read more
VI. WASHING YOUR HANDS Righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24) Everywhere we are getting advice to wash our hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Many of us have been doing this all along. For others of us this is a new practice. The Buddhists say “before enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water and after enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water.” We can do ordinary things in a holy way, making everyday practices prayer... Read more
V. A CIRCLE OF LOVE AND PROTECTION Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover... Read more
IV. St. Patrick’s Prayer Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down. Caught up in stocking up with groceries in preparation for the self-sequestering with my family, I forgot to buy traditional St. Patrick’s meal of corned beef and cabbage. Like a lot of you, I’m a little distracted these days. St.... Read more
III. ENDURING LOVE, NEW EVERY MORNING The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) The story is told of the night of the shooting stars. As they saw the falling stars, the villagers ran for their lives. They saw only destruction. “The sky is falling. We are doomed,”... Read more
Meditation Two – FAITH IN THE FURNACE King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” He replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.” (Daniel 3:24-25) On Sunday morning, we will be joined in spirit, though... Read more
This is the first of a daily meditation during this time in which churches and schools are closing and anxiety is in the air. God is with us. +++ I. CRISIS AND OPPORTUNITY I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of hands; for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) One version of... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 22, 2020 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 Today’s readings are full of twists and turns, theologically and spiritually. They invite us to look at the world and our beliefs with new eyes. They challenge glib theological reflection, including the bloviations of pastors who connect COVID-19 with divine judgment. In the reading from I Samuel, the unexpected child becomes a leader. In Psalm 23, we feel safe a... Read more
For theology to make a difference, it must be all-season. It must relate to concrete situations as well as abstract doctrines. Meaningful theology must address the headlines as well as encourage quiet moments of prayer, meditation, and worship, making it both heavenly minded and earthly good. Isaiah goes into the Temple during a time of national crisis, looking for a spiritual respite, and then encounters the Living God and receives a vocation to challenge the injustice and idolatry of his... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary -The Third Sunday in Lent – March 15, 2025 Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11;. John 4:1-42 Today’s readings might be described as “grace in spite of ourselves.” While we were yet sinners, God sets into motion the healing process. When we doubt God, God gives us living waters. Our questions, and challenges, awaken new possibilities. God doesn’t demand perfection and even faith to reach out to us. God takes the initiative – and like a first... Read more
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