Why not us?
In our gospel text for today, Matthew recounts the commissioning of the disciples and Jesus sending them out to heal and do important work. Hearing that the work they are called to is difficult and thus should travel light, we hear our own call to discipleship. As we listen for God’s call in our lives or see the need for response in our communities, maybe the response to that prayer is our own call to act as disciples of Jesus.
Would Jesus be welcome at our table?
In today’s sermon, I share a little about our tabling experience at Pride and the message of our Gospel, which provides examples of mercy and discipleship in the stories of Matthew’s call, a woman’s healing, and the humble request of a leader. These acts of faith from those on the outer circle of society in Jesus’ time remind us of how expansive Jesus’ table truly is as he welcomes them in and shows us what it means to answer Jesus’ invitation to “follow me.”
The Light and the Breath of the Spirit
There are two different accounts of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the gap between the two is the place that the Holy Spirit enters… we need the action of the Day of Pentecost but just as much we need the gentle breath of Jesus.
Paul a Counter-cultural Hero?
Peter is back but is no longer the cowering man who denied knowing Jesus while waiting in the courtyard at Pontius Pilate’s palace.
God Sustains
Following Jesus does not guarantee an easy life, in fact the opposite but even in times of change, grief and difficulty God’s hand sustains God’s beloved.
Sometimes Jesus mixes his metaphors
Sometimes Jesus’ message seems to exclude more people than it includes, and it has been distorted to justify genocide, but by remembering that Jesus is also the Christ we can take his words less literally and more inclusively. We need to stand up against hatred masquerading as holiness.
Jesus The Friend
The Risen One is walking alongside us, as a friend, even if we
are unaware.
Theosis
The story of the ancient people of God is our story too – will we let it just be a story or hear it with the ears of our hearts and choose to be transformed into Christ?
Maundy Thursday Sermon
Jesus joins the disciples for a meal, washes their feet, and provides a new commandment to them to love one another as Jesus has loved them, knowing all which was about to take place. Active love sets the tone for the coming days as we continue our holy journey together.
Jesus Wept
We see God’s fierce love for us through the prophetic imagination of Ezekiel and encounter the humanity of Christ as he weeps for his friend Lazarus. When have you experienced Christ in the world in new or surprising ways this week?