We already know that God's idea of power is not much like our own. Yet it's a hard lesson to really learn, so today we get two very clear examples:
First, we get Jesus, riding on the back of a donkey, surrounded by ordinary people, making his way into Jerusalem. … Read the rest “Table Meditation for Palm Sunday – 24-March-24”
"unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." This bread before us is the result of seeds that fell to the earth and was reborn as stalks of grain, then "died" again, to be reborn as bread. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Lent 5b – 17-March-24”
John 3:16 is the most well-known scripture in the Bible, but does us well to read on to the next verse. John 3:17, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Lent 4b – 10-March-24”
Have you ever heard the word "condemn"? What do you think "condemn" means?
[wait for answers]
In today's gospel reading, we hear that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world. In fact, God sent Jesus into the world to save it.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Lent 4b – 10-March-24”
Sometimes we're so used to a story that we lose the shock or surprise that it had for those who first saw the event. Jesus clearing the temple was such a surprise to the priests that they said, "What did you see that said you could do this?"… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Lent 3b – 3-March-24”
In our gospel story for today, Peter manages to hit a high and a low within five sentences. The high point is recognizing who Jesus is and claiming it as a statement of faith. The low point is wanting Jesus to be Christ the way Peter wants him to be Christ. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Lent 2b – 24-February-24”
I feel like going out and taking a test... said no person ever. We don't like testing, even when we know it's necessary. And, in the case of living out our life with God, we know there will be testing along the way. … Read the rest “Table Meditation for Lent 1b – 18-February-24”
As we come to the Table, let's consider people, like the man with leprosy in our gospel story, who are on the outskirts of society and often shunned and more often ignored. How can we carry the Good News to them that they are welcome here in our church and in our communion?… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Ordinary 6b – 11-February-24”
Sometimes, as Jesus did in our gospel verse for today, it is important to be alone with God. Other times, it is impossible (or at least difficult) to see God at work and to hear God speak without being in the presence of other believers. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Epiphany 5b – 4-February-24”
A lot of interesting things happen when people see Jesus. For those who stood and learned from him at the synagogue, there was the sheer amazement of his teaching with authority. For the demonic presence, there was outright fear. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Epiphany 4b – 28-January-24”