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What’s the Catch?

Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 29, 2012
Ask and you’ll receive. Is there a catch? Of course! The whole idea behind this week’s reading from 1 John, and indeed the entire book, is that in the sacrificial love of Christ we see and experience God; in doing so we are compelled to live out that love in word and deed. (Photo by rabanito used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Living the Gospel of Love

Lectionary Reflection for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost
How can so few words be so difficult to live? It sounds pretty simple on the surface: love God with all you are and have, and love your neighbor just like yourself. The challenges comes in letting go of all that hinders love. (Photo by Coolm36 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Love, Limbo, and How Low Must We Go?

2nd Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 20, 2011
This week’s gospel contains perhaps the most “famous” verse in scripture AND its often overlooked counterpart. Just what are the limits of God’s love for the world? How do we measure and define them? Surely such love transcends the limits of limbo and human frailty! (Photo by Gil Megidish used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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The Disciple’s Guide to Lavish Love

Valentine’s Day may be just a memory, but the disciple’s call to lavish love is an everyday reality. What does it mean to practice lavish love? Read on and see what this week’s lectionary texts have to say. (Photo by rococohobo used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Choosing Life and Loving God

6th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, Year A, 2/13/11
Love is in the air, and Americans are about to spend lots of money to celebrate. What about the love of God and neighbor? Will we choose life by loving and serving God? God’s love is a whole lot more satisfying than a box of chocolates! (Photo by internets_dairy used under a Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Journey with Jesus: Love One Another

In his essay, Dan Clendenin explores a modern paradox: We’re the people who answer the call of Jesus, who respond to his command to love one another. And yet, study after study reveals that many unchurched people have a negative view of Christians. Instead of finding us loving, they see us as judgmental, intolerant, hostile and hypocritical killjoys. Yikes!

Christian Masquerade?

Are You an Undercover Lover?

LECTIONARY REFLECTION FOR MAY 2, 2010
It’s easy to be a concealed Christian, an undercover lover, loving in ways that are comfortable for you and for me. It’s easy to sing the old hymn “I love to tell the Story” when everyone else knows the story and lukewarm is the temperature of the day. Jesus asks—no commands—more of his disciples.