Jesus commands his followers to love one another, but that’s easier said than done. How do you learn how to love? How do you make yourself love someone? Fortunately, the thing that is impossible for us is not impossible for God. Through the presence of Holy Spirit within us, Jesus comes to abide with his […]
Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their minds in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as […]
In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples, but his resurrected body continues to have wounds (and Thomas wants to make sure). What’s up with that? Shouldn’t the resurrection mean everything is fixed and perfect? Jesus’ wounds are a testament to his love, his obedience, and his fight against evil. In the same […]
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Even when our world is shaken…Christ is the one to whom we can hold fast! Today we sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of […]
Today, our worship service follows a different path than usual. Today we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ […]
Where do you go and what do you do when you are deep in sadness and grief? Like Jesus, we show up for our friends and family and we love them. And when we don’t even have the strength do that, we listen for Jesus to call us forth from the tomb. In today’s readings, […]
Who are you, really? Underneath all the things others think about you…who is the real you? Jesus meets a woman at a well, a woman whose real identity has been covered by layers of unfair assumptions and labels and judgments throughout the centuries. But he knows the real her, and loves her, and accepts her, […]
The winds of change are blowing in our readings today, as God tells Abram and Sarai to pick up everything and go to a new land, and Jesus and Nicodemus have a deep conversation about faith and spiritual rebirth. Questions can be tools for opening the door to deeper love, trust and understanding…even (and especially) […]
Who do you think you are? The answer to that question says a lot about why you do what you do. In today’s readings, we hear about Adam and Eve as well as Jesus facing questions of identity. Will you construct a new identity for yourself based on your fears and frailties? Or will we […]
“The Truth must dazzle gradually, / Or every man be blind.” We like to think we can handle the truth, but these words from Emily Dickinson set us straight. In today’s gospel, Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This truth is revealed in dazzling glory and the loud, […]