Preach – Page 43

Foolish

March 1, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B, March 4, 2018
After all these years, God is still confounding the powerful and privileged with the good news and the scandal of the cross. Jesus is still making room at the table for the marginalized and outcast. The wine is poured and bread is shared in the name of the one who opened his arms to all in the midst of his own agony and horrific death. How will you respond to this countercultural vision of wisdom and strength. (Photo: Creative Commons License)

God Now Interrupts Your Regularly Scheduled Life

February 22, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Feb. 25, 2018
The terrifyingly good news infused through this week’s lessons is simply that God breaks in, usually when we least expect it, and invites us to live and love and walk in ways we wouldn’t imagine or choose on our own. We may fall on our faces, like Abram did, but we don’t get to stay that way; we get up, take up our cross, and follow Jesus into real life. (Photo: Loco Steve, Creative Commons)

Pack Light for Lent

February 15, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 1st Sunday in Lent, Year B, Feb. 18, 2018
It’s helpful to pack as lightly as possible for the Lenten journey. How can we encourage one another to lay down our burdens, our possessions, our addictions–anything that comes between us and God–so that we can make space and time for divine encounters? Mark’s gospel structure gives us some hints. (Photo: S. Blezard, Creative Commons)

Look for Light, Listen to Jesus, Be Transfigured

February 8, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection for Transfiguration Sunday, Year B, Feb. 11, 2018
No, we weren’t on the mountaintop with Peter, James, and John, but the light of Christ and the presence of Jesus is all around us. Jesus still reveals the glory of God in ways both ordinary and extraordinary. All we need do are listen and look. (Photo: Art in the Christian Tradition, Creative Commons)

In Need of Healing & in Need of Jesus

February 1, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 5th Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, Feb. 4, 2018
This week’s Old Testament lesson and gospel lesson remind us that we all stand in need of healing, renewal, and rest, and that the source of that rest is God. Even Jesus knew to recharge his batteries in prayer and time apart. (Photo: Hernan Pinera, Creative Commons)

Of Authority, Freedom, & Discipline

January 25, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL reflection, 4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, Jan. 28, 2018
When it comes to exercising our freedom, we may think we have the authority on our own, but the truth is that Christ is the one with ultimate authority and ultimate truth. Our freedom is found in him alone. Even the unclean spirits of this world recognize and bow to his authority. What this means for us is that there is always hope.

The Once-and-Always Immediate

January 18, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Jan. 21, 2018
There’s a saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Maybe Jesus’ immediate call to us today to fish for people happens one step and one breath and one prayer at a time. Now that’s an immediately I can wrap my heart and my soul and maybe even my stubborn head around. How about you?

Come and See Jesus — for Real!

January 11, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, Jan. 14, 2018
What will people see when invited to your your congregation? Will they find Jesus reflected in the lives and witness of his people, or will they see only threadbare and outdated furnishings and somber folk? Will they feel the Spirit, hear the Word taught and proclaimed in fresh and real ways, and encounter Christ? Are you ready to say “Come and see?” (Photo: Wendi Kelly, Creative Commons)

Wild Goose on the Loose

January 4, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Lectionary Reflection for the Baptism of our Lord, Year B, January 7, 2018
This Sunday we have water and Jesus and a wild-honking-goose-of-a-Holy-Spirit clattering through our organized worship and over-booked lives. Yes, that Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus in the Jordan in Mark’s gospel account is on the loose and ready to take you along for the ride of your life. Are you ready to go? (Photo: Larry Smith, Creative Commons)

Grafted into God’s Family

December 28, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year B, December 31, 2017
While many folks are already packing away the Christmas decorations, returning the unwanted or ill-fitting gifts to retailers, and moving on with life as usual, we who bear Christ’s name and family connection keep on singing the carols, continuing to tell the old, old story, and gladly holding out our empty hands for the crumb of bread and sip of wine that contains the Savior of the world. How will you continue to steward and savor the good news and joy this week? (Photo: sblezard, Creative Commons)