It isn’t difficult to identify with the exasperation expressed in the opening readings for today. It may be more difficult to happily sign on to the way of life that is encouraged for those who follow Christ.

Both the psalmist and the prophet present the image of a God losing his patience with recalcitrant favored children. God rescued them from slavery, and repeatedly fed them with the finest wheat and filled them with good things, even though they stubbornly clung to their own selfish ways. (Psalm 81:1, 10-16) But eventually God is appalled that the favored people could abandon God’s ways with such ease, and in such a wholesale manner. God’s people forsook God’s abundance, and took off in ways that gained them nothing. (Jeremiah 2:4-13)

Set alongside these readings are a parable of Jesus and a teaching about Christian love. The familiar parable is that of the wedding feast, where the host may rearrange the seating arrangements at his own whim, and wherein Jesus again presents his upside-down views of justice and mission. Two teachings emerge: First, choose for yourself a place of humility. Second, real generosity is that which is shown to those who have no possibility of repaying you. (Luke 14:1, 7-14) The reading from Hebrews amplifies this, exhorting acts of hospitality, generosity, and love. This we can do without fear, because, echoing the words of the prophet and psalmist, God is our helper, the one who rescues us and will not leave us alone. (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16)

I recently was in on a conversation where friends were being open and honest about how difficult it is to live up to these ideals, these commands, these ways of God. Read the rest of this entry »

On this Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, our preacher (Seminarian Andy) has chosen to use the alternate Old Testament readings in shaping the liturgy and message. When these lessons are read, a more prominent theme emerges that highlights the futility of mortal, temporal achievements, and shifts one’s focus to the treasures of God, which are eternal.

It is difficult to imagine a more bleak assessment of human endeavor than that found in the opening verses of Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23. The psalmist might temper the mood a bit, but is still focused on the finiteness of human existence, and the inability of humans to do anything else of their own accord to surpass it. (Psalm 49:1-12) But this is a common feature of Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament — keeping clear the distinctions between human creatures and the God who made them. God is the God of gods, humans are mortal, and that’s the way it is.

By contrast, Paul’s message to the Colossians is that something new has happened in Christ: they (we) have been raised with Christ, and so may now set our sights on higher things, put aside the darker things of this mortal life, and strive for the things of glory. (Colossians 3:1-11)

Finally, the gospel reading is another parable of Jesus, wherein he reinforces the futility of amassing stuff that has no eternal value and urges his listeners to set their hearts on God. (Luke 12:13-21) It seems to me Jesus is really focusing not on our ledger books, but on our hearts. Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s readings we’re presented with a range of contrasting images that paint pictures of the relationship between God and humans. The psalmist recounts a time when God restored the fortunes of the people and gave up God’s anger toward the people — followed by a cry for God to relent from anger again and to restore peace with the people again. (Psalm 85) In Hosea, we read a very harsh description of the people and God’s rejection of them (”You are Not-My-People.”); but there is still a word of promise that they will become “Children of the Living God.” (Hosea 1:2-10)

In Colossians, Paul has several instructions for those who would be children of the living God, teaching what it means to live lives in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)) Finally, the reading for Luke contains Jesus’ teaching about prayer, not only giving a model in the words we know now as the Lord’s Prayer, but by teaching the importance of persistence in asking, seeking, and knocking. (Luke 11:1-13) Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s readings are largely continuations of those begun last week. As with last week, they contain some very harsh words from the psalmist and prophet, and then tell us more of reconciliation and discipleship in the epistle and gospel readings.

The psalmist proclaims judgement against the ungodly, speaking a warning to those who love evil and dishonesty, who place their trust in riches instead of in God. (Psalm 52) The reading from Amos delivers a similar message to the distressed people of Israel, accounting for why it is that they are in such dire straits — it is the fallout from their abuse of the poor and needy, and their deceitful pursuit of gains at the expense of others. (Amos 8:1-12) These are harsh words to hear, for them and for us.

But Paul, after recording one of the earliest hymns of the church, then addresses those who had been estranged from God, being hostile in thought and in deed. Paul proclaims God’s reconciliation with them (and us) through Jesus, making peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15-28)

Finally, the gospel reading is the familiar story of Mary and Martha, who welcome Jesus into their home, doing what seemed important to them. Martha fussed with hospitality; Mary listened devotedly. (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus’ affirmation of Mary’s attention and mild reproof to Martha’s fussing remind us to keep our devotion pure, our attention focused, and our priorities clear in being disciples of this same Jesus Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

The readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost are a challenging lot. In our service, we begin with a reading from Psalm 82, which is written at the time of an old world view, where God is chief among many god-like beings in a heavenly council, who influence the lives and events of mortals. God calls them to task for showing a bias for the wicked and the unjust, and requires them instead to rescue the lowly and needy.

The reading from Amos tells of Jereboam’s attempted rebuff to Amos through his priest: “I don’t care what the LORD requires of me, and I don’t want to hear it — go away!” But the penalty for such a snub to the LORD and the prophet is utter desolation and loss. (Amos 7:7-17)

In the gospel lesson, Jesus leaves no room for misunderstanding what it means to love one’s neighbor as oneself, when he tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. The law of love is fulfilled not by pious postures, but by acts of compassion and healing. (Luke 10:25-37)

In the midst of these readings, we hear the first of four readings from the letter to the Colossians. In it, Paul greets these new disciples with words of thanksgiving for their faith, encouragement to endure in difficult times, and exhortations to live lives worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in the Spirit. All this he says to do joyfully, mindful of their rescue from the power of darkness and of their transfer into the Kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:1-14)

Well, dear reader, which of these words will speak to you this week? Read the rest of this entry »

I have been away for a couple of weeks, camping with my son in Illinois for a weekend on Father’s Day, then spending a week at my wife’s family’s camps in Vermont last weekend. This Sunday, I am back on the bench. As always, I am grateful to those who saw to it that the music of worship would continue in my absence, especially Sarah B, who played her flute and the piano, and led the singing.

Today’s readings provide us stories of restoration and healing, and exhort us to do our part in carrying the grace of God to all people. The readings begin with the familiar account of the healing of Naaman, who was cured of his leprosy not by a pompous display of some prophet’s magic, but by Naaman submitting himself to a humble, simple act of washing. (2 Kings 5:1-14) The psalmist sings of his own restoration, his weeping turned into joy. He acknowledges that in his strength he felt unmovable; but it was in his weakness that God restored him. (Psalm 30)

The New Testament readings shift their focus a bit, using the metaphor of the harvest field. The concluding reading from Galatians exhorts us both to tend to our own lives and to bear the burdens of others, being careful to sow seeds of the Spirit, so that we may also reap fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16) Finally, the gospel reading is Jesus’ sending of his disciples as laborers in a harvest-field, taking a message of peace and acts of healing to the surrounding land. (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) Read the rest of this entry »

Three of today’s readings continue larger narratives that were begun last week. The Old Testament reading features Elijah again, this time bringing a harsh word of judgement to King Ahab, condemning him for his complicity in the wicked trickery of his wife Jezebel. (1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a) The psalm pleads with God, one who abhors evildoers and will not tolerate wickedness, and prays to be led into straight paths of righteousness. (Psalm 5:1-8)

In Galatians, Paul’s letter continues to elaborate on our justification, not in conforming our lives to perfect submission to the condemning law of God, but in letting Christ live in us. He provides the image of being crucified with Christ, so that a new life of faith in the Son of God can spring up. (Galatians 2:15-21)

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of a woman, identified only as a sinner, who shows her devotion to Jesus by tending to his feet with her tears and with ointment. Although the disciples see this as scandalous, Jesus receives her, forgives her sins, and highlights the deep gratitude she shows. (Luke 7:36-8:3)

Today’s music connects to these lessons in a couple of ways, most prominently in tying our own lives to Christ. We echo Paul’s words about being crucified with Christ, and raised with him to a new life. And we sing of our own humble thanksgivings, if not at Jesus’ feet, then at the foot of Jesus’ cross, remembering the abundance of grace shown to us. Read the rest of this entry »

The readings on this Second Sunday after Pentecost contain some rather dramatic accounts of what can happen when one has an encounter with God and God’s prophets. A reading from Psalm 146 sets the stage for the readings that follow it by recounting the power and goodness of God, on whom rest the hopes of all living things.

The Old Testament reading is the account of Elijah’s stay with the widow, whose meager resources were not consumed while she tended to the needs of the prophet — and whose son was restored to life. (1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24)) Another widow had her son given back to her when Jesus raised the dead man of Nain. (Luke 7:11-17) These are remarkable stories of the power of God and of the Christ.

In Galations, Paul tells of another remarkable restoration to life of another sort. He recounts his encounter with Jesus Christ, presumably referring to his experience on the road to Damascus. Now he, who had once persecuted the church, was preaching the very faith he had tried to destroy. (Galatians 1:11-24)

These stories remind us of the power of God’s Spirit to change our lives too, and to restore us to life in ways large and small. The music for today reminds us of the unavoidable prospect of having to look death in the face, and of the hope offered us in God’s grace — hope that roots out fear. It also sings of the life-changing effects of knowing Christ, as we put aside old ways and live in Christ who will be our joy, our righteousness, our love. Read the rest of this entry »

Pastor John’s weekly email has provided some important thoughts about the season we’re entering — the long season after Pentecost — clarifying that we are not now moving into the season of the Spirit, as though we focus on the Father in one part of the year, the Son in another, and now the Spirit. Indeed, if we’ve been listening closely, we have heard much about how the persons of the Trinity are united and inseparable.

Helping us to remember this, the first Sunday after Pentecost is observed as Holy Trinity Sunday. I’ve become accustomed to thinking of this season after Pentecost as the growing season of the church.  It is a long season of readings and teachings that help shape our faith and discipleship, forming and transforming us as children of God. But before we go there, we pause to simply worship the One who creates, redeems, and sustains us. Read the rest of this entry »

It is the Feast of Pentecost, on which day we are told the Spirit of God descended upon the apostles in Jerusalem, with the sound of a violent wind and with tongues that appeared to be like fire. (Acts 2:1-21) Remarkably, everyone heard what the apostles had to say in their own language and with clear understanding, which was not the case in the clamor of Babel. (Genesis 11:1-9) Who can read of these events and not be reminded of Jesus’ words to his disciples, shortly before his suffering and death, promising them an Advocate, Holy Spirit, to teach disciples all they need to know, to remind them of the teachings of Jesus, and to give them peace? (John 14:8-17, (25-27))

We were not in Jerusalem, but the gift of the Spirit is as important to us here as it was to early apostles. Whether our encounter is with a Spirit manifest in gales and blazes, or whether the Spirit comes with a simple spark and gentle breath, it is the Spirit who will open our ears to the one message of the love of God in Christ, and unite us in a common mission of peace. This morning we are reminded of this in several ways: hearing the reading of Scripture in several languages; welcoming Iglesia del Cristo Misionera as they worship with us; and, following the Meal of the Lord’s Supper, sharing a common meal together in Fellowship Hall. Read the rest of this entry »