November 3: For All the Saints

November 3: For All the Saints

God makes all things new Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the...
October 27: Reformation Sunday

October 27: Reformation Sunday

Walking in Grace by faith A gift from the Reformation Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ...
October 20: Inverting “Greatness”

October 20: Inverting “Greatness”

True greatness through humble service Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who will be closest to Jesus, leading to Jesus teaching his followers about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit that the reversal of values in God’s...
October 13: Do Justice, Love Kindness – to each enough

October 13: Do Justice, Love Kindness – to each enough

God’s good gifts are for sharing The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus...
October 6:  Receive God’s Kingdom as a child

October 6: Receive God’s Kingdom as a child

Intent of God’s rule is love Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’...
October 6:  Receive God’s Kingdom as a child

September 22: Selfless giving is greatness

True greatness is serving all Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it concrete, he puts in front of them a flesh-and-blood...