Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, May 14, 2017
Just what does it really mean to be God’s people? How do we explain ourselves in today’s world to people who see what we do as weird, antiquated, or inaccessible? These are questions we need to ask one another frequently and ponder well. Yes, we have received mercy, and yes, we belong to God, but now what? And what does this have to do with stewardship anyway? (Photo: Keoni Cabral, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year Three, May 7, 2017
Are you ready, really ready, to let God use you and your gifts and talents for the sake of the world? Not everyone is called to be a deacon like Philip or Stephen. Very few of us will experience a radical Damascus road change like Saul. But we can say yes to God’s movement and bidding in our lives, however that might manifest itself. It could mean a change of vocation, responding to a call to serve God in ministry. It might mean learning to share the good news and interpret scripture for coworkers in the office or strangers on the train. Maybe it could be as simple as opening your home to your neighbors for dinner and conversation. Are you ready? (Photo: Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A, May 7, 2017
If we are to be effective as the people of God reaching out to the world and ushering in the reign of Christ right now and right here, then it is time to look our practice with fresh eyes. Where are we stale? What makes us tired? Are we simply going through the motions and trying to stay afloat in our congregations? Can we articulate our congregational identity, our sense of vision and mission? We can learn a thing or two from the early church’s understanding and application of “glad and generous hearts” and “life abundant.” (Photo: minkmonkeymoo, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A, April 30, 2017
Just like on that Emmaus Road, Jesus is still showing up and bringing people moments of poignant clarity that can be fully expressed and shared only in the telling and recounting. It happens in many ways both great and small, ordinary and miraculous, but no matter how, when, or where, rest assured that your witness to how you have encountered Jesus is enough and needs to be shared. (Photo: Jaymis Loveday, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year Three, April 30, 2017
Today we learn that the early church is not as perfect as we sometimes make it out to be. Even the early followers of Jesus had their failures and foibles. The question is what can we learn from this, and how can we continue in faith to live as disciples to the best of our ability for the sake of the gospel. (Photo: Ted, Creative Commons)
RCL reflection, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A, April 23, 2017
Like Jesus inviting Thomas to reach out and touch his wounds, we must be willing to invite people into our lives. What they know of Jesus may be only what they see in those who call themselves “Christians.” That means we have both great opportunity and great responsibility, and that my friends is an act of stewardship. (Photo: Doubting Thomas, painting by Caravaggio)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter, Year Three, April 23, 2017
The story of Cleopas and his friend on the Emmaus road from today’s gospel lesson speaks volumes to us and to our congregations today. Good stewards are aware of and often appreciative of the past but do not cling to it. Good stewards adapt to change and keep their focus on the things that matter most: Telling the stories of faith, sharing the good news, and making disciples. Is your heart burning within you because you have encountered the risen Lord? If so, what are you waiting for? If not, fix your eyes on the horizon. With Jesus, all roads lead to hope. (Photo: memyselfmanu, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Resurrection of our Lord, Year A, April 16, 2017
Jesus’ words to his first evangelists–the women–and his first disciples are equally applicable to us today. We are not to hide our light under a basket. We are not to lock our faith away in fear. We are to go. We are to tell. We are to be Christ’s witnesses sent out of our sanctuaries and comfort zones into the hustle of the marketplace and bustle of the world. (Photo: TED, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for Easter Sunday, Year Three, April 16, 2017
Funny thing about this Easter story—the point is to go and share the story. It’s about faithfully stewarding the Good News of Jesus to a world that desperately needs to hear it. Sure folks may not believe it at first, but some will come to see and experience Jesus for themselves. This is no idle tale! It’s the life-changing story of Jesus’ love. (Photo: Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for Palm/Passion Sunday, Year A, April 9, 2017
There is a story between the Palm Sunday and Easter “parades” that we do well not to miss. The work and witness of Holy Week beckons. Without fully experiencing Holy Week, we lose something valuable–a behind the scenes look at the real cost of our salvation and the dirty work it took to accomplish it. It is, indeed, an act of stewardship to devote our time and attention to this week. (Photo: Doug Bezaire & Susi Havens-Bezaire, Creative Commons)
