The weeks of summer coincide with the beginning of the Pentecost season. Summer brings sunny warmth, growing crops, and the promise of harvest: images of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in our lives, the church, and the world. Hosea speaks of God’s presence as the dawn, as a gentle shower, as light. In our […]
Peter’s words say that our youth shall see visons and our elders shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17) It is easy to see ways that generations are at odds: in the workplace, community, or schools. They see the world from different vantage points. But the call of Pentecost is toward shared visions and dreams rooted in […]
In today’s service we explore Psalm 23 in spoken and sung versions. The psalm imagines an abundant life as promised to those who follow Jesus. An abundant life is one lived in God’s presence, in the Lord’s company. Whether it is in green pastures or the darkest valley, there is nothing to want because God […]
This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. […]
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 comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as […]
In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be […]
Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in […]
In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation […]
Curious Nicodemus is searching for answers, but Jesus invites him into an experience. The Spirit blows where it will, bringing new birth and new beginnings over and over again, and we cannot understand it, dissect it, analyze it, or control it. When something starts, another thing ends, but we do not need to fear, for […]
In this corner…Jesus! In this corner…the devil! As Lent begins, we have an epic showdown on our hands as Jesus confronts sin and evil. But quickly we are faced with our own complicity. How can we live as people of faith who also mess up and test our boundaries on a regular basis? Jesus reminds […]