Blog (Page 41)
Jesus returns to the wild
Friday, April 12 Readings: JER 20:10-13; JN 10:31-42 Jeremiah’s words probably describe how Jesus was feeling as the net began to close around him and his enemies and detractors gained momentum, “All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” We might feel like this at times as well – when people turn against us, speak behind our backs, betray us or delight in our failures and missteps. It’s a terrible feeling. Jesus tries…
Ridiculed, Resisted and Opposed
Thursday, April 11 Readings: GN 17:3-9; JN 8:51-59 Today’s readings are setting the stage for the big confrontations that will emerge during Holy Week, and you can see from the gospel that what Jesus is saying is infuriating the religious authorities as well as some of the regular religious folk as well. Most of us know that Abraham was one of the most revered figures in the Jewish faith. It’s actually hard to state just how important he was to…
What God do you serve?
Wednesday, April 10 Readings: DN 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; JN 8:31-42 The first reading tells the dramatic story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refuse to worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. So he throws them in the furnace where they are joined by a mysterious stranger and miraculously survive! Nebuchadnezzar has a conversion moment (I mean, who wouldn’t!) and praises the God of Israel. In the gospel we continue to hear the sometimes obscure monologues from Jesus. This time…
The wound is the cure
Tuesday, April 9 Readings: NM 21:4-9; JN 8:21-30 The reading from the book of Numbers is one of my favorites. The Israelites are tired. Yes, they were saved from slavery in Egypt, but now they’re wandering in the desert. Their feet hurt. They’re thirsty. The food is stale and wretched. And so they start complaining. God’s not pleased at this and sends snakes their way to bite them. Many died from this and so they repent. God tells Moses to…
A single voice
Monday, April 8 Readings: DN 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; JN 8:12-20 The very long first reading from Daniel tells a tale of male power and abuse against Susanna. Two of the respected elders intend to sexually assault her and when their plan is interrupted, they accuse her of a moral crime. Susanna is found guilty based on their testimony, and they are willing to watch her die for their evil intentions. If Daniel had not spoken up, her death would…
Who gets to speak
Sunday, April 7 Readings: IS 43:16-21; PHIL 3:8-14; JN 8:1-11 It just so happens that I am preaching on these readings at church, so I have had a little extra time to reflect on them (but I’ll keep my thoughts here a bit briefer!). In the gospel a nameless woman is brought before Jesus. The Pharisees who bring her claim that she has been “caught in adultery” and “according to the law” she should be stoned. They seek to trap…
Persecuted for who they are
Saturday, April 6 Readings: JER 11:18-20; JN 7:40-53 The theme continues today of the persecuted one. As we enter into these last few weeks of Lent, this theme starts to come forward a little more. I am especially thinking today of people who are persecuted just for being who they are. The dominant systems of the world make it so hard for some people just to be. I think of people in the queer and trans communities. I think of…
The Persecuted
Friday, April 5 Readings: WIS 2:1A, 12-22; JN 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 In modern lingo, today’s readings are about “haters” but also about truthtellers. It all depends on what side of the equation you think you’re on. Back in the time when the scriptures were written and now, there are people who go against the grain of the dominant narrative, and there are people who are very bothered by this. If we are somehow affiliated with the dominant narrative, we might…
A stiff-necked people
Thursday, April 4 Readings: EX 32:7-14; JN 5:31-47 In the first reading, God tells Moses that the Israelites are a “stiff necked people” and that God intends to send wrath upon the people. Instead of fidelity to God, the people have made a calf of molten gold and now look to it for help and guidance. God is not pleased. Moses bargains with God and reminds God that the Israelites were not brought out of Egypt only to be exterminated…
God’s work
Wednesday, April 3 Readings: IS 49:8-15; JN 5:17-30 I take great hope in Isaiah’s words today. In spite of all that has happened to us and in spite of all we have done, God will not forget us, and on the day of salvation God will be there for us. The land will be restored. There won’t be hunger or thirst. The roads will be made level. The world will break out into song. The afflicted will be comforted. Now…
That is how it was…
Tuesday, April 2 Readings: EZ 47:1-9, 12; JN 5:1-16 The words of Ezekiel today are a reminder of the scriptural grounding in ecology and geography – and the promise of what would be our inheritance if we had cared for it. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees…
Sign of the times
Monday, April 1 Readings: IS 65:17-21; JN 4:43-54 In the first reading, Isaiah gives us a picture of what the future will be like – the new heavens and the new earth where there is happiness and rejoicing. Where the infant mortality will be almost nonexistent and people won’t die young. We know we’re not there yet. In Rochester, for example, our infant mortality rate is much higher than the national average of 5.7 (per 1000 births, last measured in…