2 Kings 4:42-44 Feeding the crowdJohn 6:1-15 Jesus feeds five thousand peopleEphesians 3:14-21 strength in your inner being The word “plenitude” is part of the language of paradise, of the beauty and joy of life. But it appears to us only if we choose to see it, because there is
Continue readingGenesis 2:4-9 Breath of lifePsalm 65:9-13 God sustains the creationLuke 12:22-28 Consider the lilies Our creed includes living “with respect in creation” in the church’s mission. This points us to a relationship of mutuality, and even of love. Beyond loving the earth, we are enjoined even to recognize the way
Continue readingEphesians 2:1-10 From death to lifePsalm 139 You have searched me and known meLuke 3:15-16, 21-22 The Holy Spirit in Jesus’ baptism Our salvation is not “earned” but it is chosen. This is the distinction Paul struggles to describe, the role of faith along with grace. In baptism, the mystery
Continue readingIsaiah 61:1-4 Liberty to the captivesLuke 4:16-24 Rejection at Nazareth The social gospel tradition is a reflection of the heart of Jesus’ ministry and teachings, which in turn was a reflection of the prophetic tradition in his Hebrew heritage. As the church, we seek to understand and to fulfil our
Continue readingMatthew 4:1-11 Jesus tempted in the wilderness Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Temptation in the garden Jesus temptation in the wilderness can be a model for our dealing with temptation in our lives. Mostly, it is our ego that succumbs, but we are also a higher self with a purpose beyond the
Continue reading2 Kings 5:1-14 Healing of NaamanMark 1:40-45 Jesus Cleanses a Leper In the stories of the healing of Naaman and Jesus “cleansing” a leper, we hear the pride and judgement that pervaded the attitudes toward disease and healing. Both stories twist those attitudes into something much more gracious. Today we
Continue readingIsaiah 40:21-31 Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strengthMark 1:29-39 Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House What is it that makes us well and whole and strong? Isaiah’s promise that we will mount up like eagles, run and not be weary; and Jesus’ raising up the woman
Continue readingJonah 3:1-5, 10 Conversion of NinevehPsalm 62:5-12 My rock and my salvationMark 1:14-20 Jesus Calls the First Disciples Jonah was angry with God for forgiving the people of Nineveh. John the Baptist was arrested for his ministry of baptism. How can people be so resentful or resistant to God’s blessings?
Continue readingIsaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Announce freedom to all captivesJohn 1:6-8, 19-28 Thunder in the desert John the Baptist knew Isaiah’s ancient words about liberty to the captives and good news to the poor. He also knew the kind of message Jesus was about to proclaim: a light shining in the darkness.
Continue reading1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Keep awakeMatthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents So much is entrusted to us. Just as the master in the story Jesus told entrusted his wealth to his servants, so God has given us hearts, minds, bodies and souls; the world and time, wisdom and love — all
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