"Who do you say that I am?" Jesus asks the disciples. How would they know? Where did they learn it? They learned who Jesus was from watching him -- watching him as he healed those with sicknesses and infirmities, watching him as he taught and argued, watching him as he reached out to the outcasts and the forgotten.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 19B – 15-Sep-24”
The passage from James for today warns us that we must not show partiality, must not treat one person as more important than another. We're all adopted children of God. That's true everywhere, but especially here at the Table.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Epistle) for Proper 18b – 8-Sep-24”
Jesus says, in our gospel story for today, that it is not what goes into a person, but what comes out of the heart that purifies or defiles you. So, when we take the bread and the cup in communion, it is not a rite of purification. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B17 – 01-Sep-24”
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that the way of Jesus is not supposed to be easy. At the best of times, Jesus will challenge our assumptions and draw us into places where we will learn and grow.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 16B – 25-Aug-24”
Jesus describes himself as like the manna that fed the Hebrews in the desert, except that those who partake of him will not die. We don't know how the Lord is present at this and every other table where the bread and the cup are given and taken but we do know that the Lord is present.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 15b – 18-Aug-24”
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever east of this bread will live forever." This isn't a physical thing, like eating this particular bread and drinking from this particular cup is what gives us life that lasts.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 14b – 11-Aug-24”
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." That's because a life of pursuing Christ-likeness is also a life of empowerment and grace that never quits.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 13b – 4-Aug-24”
Five loaves and two fish might not seem like much, but through the power of God, became a meal for over 5000 people. A loaf of bread and a cup might not seem like much, but through the power of God they become the presence of Christ in our midst and in us.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 12b – 28-Jul-24”
The scripture from Ephesians for today recalls a time when the Church was just beginning, and the main difficulty was trying to figure out how Gentiles and Jews could worship and serve together. The issue of Jews and Gentile is long gone, but we still struggle with trying to bring together people from different classes, politics, and thought.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Epistle) for Proper B11 – 21-Jul-24”
In our gospel reading for today, people are having a lot of trouble figuring out who Jesus is. Some thought he was Elijah, the prophet come back. Herod thought he was his cousin John, the baptizer, raised from the dead to plague him some more.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B10 – 14-Jul-24”