Parables, at least the way Jesus told them, are not fables. There isn't a moral to these stories. It goes far deeper than that. Jesus isn't simply telling us to be wheat and not tares; to be mustard seeds or leaven or hidden treasure. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 12a – 30-July-23”
Have you ever watched bread being made? [Wait for answers]
One of the neat things about making bread is when you add yeast to the dough, there is a reaction the spreads throughout the dough and it "rises," it grows.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 12a – 30-Jul-23”
In Jesus Parable in the scripture today, we hear about good seed and bad being sown into the same field. We experience this all the time in our lives: Our best impulses war with those that are harmful to ourselves and others.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 11a – 23-July-23”
In Jesus' parable in our scripture for today, there isn't any way to tell one from the other until they mature and grow. One interesting consequence of that is here at the Table. It isn't up to us to determine who belongs here or how they qualify. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 11a – 23-July-23”
In today's scripture Jesus told another story about a farmer planting grain. But in this story, someone else planted weeds in the same field. What's wrong with weeds? [wait for answers]
Now the farmer in the story gives his workers some really odd instructions: He says, "Let the weeds and good seed grow together.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 11a – 23-Jul-23”
In Jesus Parable of the Sower, the seed goes everywhere, into all kinds of likely and unlikely places. As you look around the Table today, you probably see some unlikely people in whom the seeds of faith have grown and flourished. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 10a – 12-July-20”
Jesus told a story in today's scripture about a farmer planting grain. What do you think is the point of planting grain? [wait for answers]
So, you plant the grain, wanting to grow more grain. As a farmer can tell you, the point of wanting more to grow is that you can have some for your family, some to sell, and some to plant the next crop.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 10a – 16-Jul-23”
Jesus told two very different parables, one about seed that is sown everywhere and another about stewards that are rewarded for careful investment. How do we reconcile the one that says that God's abundance should be broadcast all over the place and the other that says that we should be good and careful stewards?… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 10a – 12-July-20”
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." As we come to the Table it's time to lay down those heavy burdens we've been dragging through our lives. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 9a – 9-July-23”
Have you ever been really tired and just want to lay down and sleep? [Wait for answers] Have you ever felt that way, not because of running or playing a lot? Have you every felt tired out because of a lot of things that are happening all at once and many of them are no fun at all?… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 9a – 9-Jul-23”