I know I am not the only one worried about violence erupting in the United States in these days leading up to Biden’s inauguration. There have been threats of violence against churches and members of congress. Right wing groups have called for raids on every state capitol. Too many people with deeply held racist beliefs…
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in…
The part of the Epiphany story I have always found most haunting is Matthew 2:3: “When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.” This one line speaks to an insecure and immature political leader who the people understand will do damage if he feels threatened. It foreshadows the slaughter of…
At Peace Mennonite, we are currently using the Narrative Lectionary for worship. I will occasionally post some thoughts about the coming Sunday’s scripture as part of my own sermon preparation. These aren’t fully formed pieces, but may give some inspiration. John the Baptist apparently didn’t read many church growth blogs. He sets up his ministry…
God of new life,God of life made new, We begin this new year as we ended the last–embraced by your spirit of loveyour presence of peaceyour gentle power. We leave behind the old year in the knowledge thatWhatever we have done in the service of selfish desire;Whenever we have participated in injustice;However we have strayed…
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11-14a) I’ll be honest with you–my life is not exactly the way I want it to be. Like everyone, I have rough spots; times of illness and stress and just plain grumpiness. Times it is difficult to accept life as the gift that it is. I imagine Mary had one of those times…
(Matthew 2:1-12) This “beautiful Star of Bethlehem” has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for hundreds and hundreds of years. Poets, artists, and musicians have explored the mystery of this object—the holy light guiding the enigmatic magi to the Christ child. Actual historians and astronomers—honest to goodness scientists–pour over data and debate what exactly…
It seems that people around the world are drawing harder lines, taking harsher measures to separate people into groups; to establish who is “us” and who is “them”–and to claim security and power for “us” by putting “them” in their place. So it seems a good time for Epiphany. A good time for this familiar…
I forgot to post this yesterday, so you get Monday’s reflection this morning and today’s reflection this afternoon. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! (Luke 2:22-40) Simeon and Anna sit in the temple—looking to, longing for, waiting for the messiah. It is a long hard waiting, with no Advent calendar to mark the…
Here is a simple worship service you can do at home on Christmas day. I pray you all know God’s hope, peace, joy, and love at this holy celebration. Scripture: from Isaiah 9 Lighting of Advent Candles–after lighting each candle, offer a brief prayer. (If you do not have Advent candles at home, you can…
Hold this blessing in your heart, yes.And also in your bones.That the One who spoke into the formless void and created light,On this night was pushed from the dark of mother’s wombAs flesh and blood into this world.No blessing is as glorious,No blessing is as messy,No blessing is as close,No blessing is as powerfulAs this…
(Luke 2:1-20) It is a story most of us know well: The woman and man traveling to his hometown for a census. The baby born, wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger. Casual observers would know nothing about the angel who visited Mary or the agony Joseph had gone through when he learned his…
(Luke 1:26-38) My oldest two children came into our family as a foster-to-adopt placement. We were told that their biological dad was not in the picture and mom would not be able to get custody. They were foster children that would be available for adoption soon. James was three and a half. Jasmine had just…
(John 1:14) The opening verses of John’s Gospel may not have the narrative flair of Matthew’s or Luke’s nativity stories, but it moves toward an answer to the same core theological question: What is the nature of God’s presence with humanity? And all three nativity stories give a startling answer. Here’s how John puts it:…
This blessing may come as a song or a silence;As hearty bread or exquisite sorbet;As belly laughter or gentle hug,As enlivening idea or painstaking process. This blessing might rest on you, gently, in the deep, star-filled night,Or push, pull, and play among sunbeams and cold breezes.This blessing might hide, especially when you are most desperate…
