Have you ever been listening to something for a while without realizing what you're hearing. Maybe it's a bird calling or a dog barking. Maybe it's your mom or dad calling you. Suddenly you realize that you've been hearing it for a while without really paying attention.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Lent 2b – 24-Feb-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”
How many of you are in school already? Let me ask you something: What is your favorite thing about school? [wait for answers]
I notice that none of you said that your favorite thing was tests. Don't you like tests?… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Lent 1b – 18-February-24”
In our gospel story for today, among the other things that Jesus was doing, he was preparing himself to begin his earthly ministry. There are a lot of things that this church does, but one of those things is to prepare people to take the Good News of God's love for all people out into the world and share it with others.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Lent 1b – 18-February-24”
The Church has three basic jobs: First is to share with all people the Good News of God's love for all people. Second is to teach the things that Jesus taught us. Third is to be God's presence in our world.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Ordinary 6b – 11-February-24”
In our gospel story for today, Jesus heals a man who had a very serious skin disease. It was so bad, in fact that he and anyone else who had this disease would have to call out to people while they were still at a distance and warn them not to come any closer.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Epiphany 6b – 11-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 it's important to work out of faith, just between God and ourselves, as Jesus did in the reading for today. But our faith doesn't do much when it's just between God and us. Faith thrives in community. We see the depth and power of our faith when we're serving others.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Epiphany 5b – 4-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”