Read more about the article Mercy and Repentance

Mercy and Repentance

Lectionary Readings for September 11, 2023The lectionary readings for this Sunday, September 11, show how repentance is the bridge we must travel from our sinfulness to God’s mercy. These themes are explored in four different contexts, starting with a story of God’s wrath and ending with a story of God’s infinite patience and love.The first reading is Exodus 32:7-14. Moses and God are communing on the holy mountain while Moses’ people, feeling abandoned because Moses has been away from them too long, make…

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Read more about the article Repentance, Patience, Turning Away

Repentance, Patience, Turning Away

The lectionary includes: - Isaiah 55:1-9 - Psalm 63:1-8 - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 - Luke 13:1-9 This is one of those weeks where the texts assigned are pretty easy to find the connections that the editors of the lectionary intended. Some weeks are not so obvious. The contemplative nature of Lent also offers some focus. In the third week of Lent, we are called again, as we see in most weeks, to patience and waiting. This is not aways easy for modern Americans…

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Read more about the article From Light into Lent

From Light into Lent

Two days from now, the festive feast days of Epiphany will give way to the somber season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. We are invited to reflect on God’s great love and mercy in sending Jesus Christ to reconcile us to God and to one another, through the forgiveness of sin, giving to us the gifts of life and salvation. The appointed Psalm for Ash Wednesday, March 2, is Psalm 51:1-17. While some Psalms speak about God, this penitential Psalm is…

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Read more about the article A Reflection on the Beheading of John

A Reflection on the Beheading of John

The beheading of John the Baptist is a gruesome story. It’s also relatable. The way that greed and power function in this story are very familiar. Consider John the Baptist. We know that he’s a prophet but to the powers that be at the time he just seemed like a fringe voice. He’s a guy who dresses weird, eats weird food and hangs out in weird places. He starts speaking truth to power. What John is preaching should probably be seen as a…

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