Browsing Preach
Stewardship Lessons from the Passion Story
Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), Year B
March 29, 2015
So just what does stewardship have to do with Holy Week and the Passion story? Actually, quite a lot. Holy Week provides an excellent chunk of time to be intentional about the stewardship of time, resources, and relationship. (Photo: Lian Chang, Creative Commons)
Earth Preaching for Palm/Passion Sunday
Palm/Passion Sunday provides plenty of opportunities to lift up themes of creation and creation care, says the reflection from lutheransrestoringcreation.org, which offers a weekly commentary to bring preaching “down to earth.”
Language of the Heart
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B March 22, 2015 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and […]
Living in the Light
Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B, March 15, 2015
We convince ourselves that Jesus came because God loves us and other people like us. Everything is fine and dandy as long as our notions of who is worthy of God’s love aren’t challenged too much. But here’s the thing: John 3:17 does challenge us because we learn that God doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, that all of creation is worthy of salvation. (Photo: Eric Golub, Creative Commons)
Ready for the Party?
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for March 8, 2015
We possess a great treasure in the good news of Jesus Christ. We have been invited to dine with God, to taste and see that the Lord is good, and to be strengthened with a taste of the reign that even now is breaking into our world in surprising ways and unexpected places. (Photo: torbakhopper, Creative Commons)
All Consuming Jesus
Lectionary Reflection, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B
March 8, 2015
Lest we think this week’s gospel reading has nothing to do with us in 21st century western Christendom, it would be wise to consider what moneychangers exist in our modern congregational edifices. What currency must be exchanged in order to “rightly†worship and enter the community today? (Photo: Luca Giordano, Wikimedia Commons)
Usual Daily Wage
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for March 1, 2015
The parable of the workers in the vineyard is certainly applicable to 21st century disciples, too. Perhaps as individuals we can be sort of stingy with God’s grace—not to mention sharing our own resources. Do we really trust God so little that we fail to believe the divine promise of plenty? (Photo: Chris Potter, Creative Commons)
This is Good News?
Second Sunday in Lent, Year B Lectionary Reflection
March 1, 2015
The way of the cross is not about self-flagellation, destructive behaviors, or irresponsible actions. Following Jesus is about publicly proclaiming with your life’s witness that Jesus matters—more than anything else—and in him is the source and wellspring of abundant life. (Photo: Doug 1021, Creative Commons)
Dazed, Confused, Blinded, and Transfigured
Transfiguration of our Lord, Year B
Dazed, confused, and blinded, we are nonetheless being changed by the transfigured Christ. We, with our meager gifts and fragile faith, are stewards of this amazing good news even as we are being transformed and made new in Christ. (Photo: Edger Chambon 94, Creative Commons)
Don’t Be Afraid; Be Changed
Narrative Lectionary, Transfiguration of our Lord, February 15, 2015
From the moment God names, claims, signs, seals, and delivers us in baptism, we are being transfigured. We are becoming something more, the sum of the parts, the whole that God intends for us. Even though we may not recognize this transformation, it is taking place and God sees and knows and loves us. So do not fear. Get up! There’s work to be done. (Photo: Ted, Creative Commons)
