Lent (Page 18)

March 4 Readings – JER 17:5-10; LK 16:19-31 Jeremiah reflects to us what may be an all too common sentiment, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings.”  While I do not, ultimately, believe that, it sure can feel that way sometimes.  We put our trust in people and they let us down. And just when we hope someone is going to be different than the rest…ugh! And Luke’s gospel offers us the story of one person letting down…

March 3 Readings – JER 18:18-20; MT 20:17-28 A lot of us can probably relate to Jeremiah when he says, “Must good be repaid with evil?”  Like Jeremiah, we have all probably tried to do what is right or help somebody only to have people treat us poorly, reject us and even want to hurt us in return.  We become targeted somehow.  And it hurts. Then in the gospel, Jesus is confronted (yet again) with people jockeying for power and…

March 2 Readings – IS 1:10, 16-20; MT 23:1-12 I love the line from Isaiah where God says, “Come now, let us set things right!”  The bible is ever about action and this is a wonderful Lenten mantra and reminder.  Identify what isn’t right and get to work remedying it!  I know it’s not always that easy, but the sentiment is something I hope we hold on to. Then in the gospel, Jesus talks about something that needs to be…

From Guest Blogger: Alvin Simpson (see bio below) Readings – DN 9:4B-10; LK 6:36-38 Jesus said to his disciples:“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in…

February 28 Readings – GN 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18; ROM 8:31B-34; MK 9:2-10 The first reading from Genesis, tells us the story of Abraham who is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. I mention this story because – with some of the stories in the bible – I do not think that they are meant to be read literally and this one, in particular, has been problematic for our theology over the years.  Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice…

February 27 Readings – DT 26:16-19; MT 5:43-48 True Confession: I often think of the Shania Twain song, “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” I especially think of it today with these readings. Deuteronomy reminds us that our role is not just to “obey” the law but to observe it with all hearts and our souls.  I often think of this as the “above and beyond” clause.  When we do things with our heart and soul, we don’t just stop at…

February 26 Readings – EZ 18:21-28; MT 5:20-26 While both readings of the day speak to “the law,” my sense is that what they are talking about is what we call “accountability” today.  For me I have often heard the term accountability used in a punitive sense, as in, “I’m going to hold you accountable!”  And, as a result, I can’t say I was all that attracted to it! Jesus did not seem so concerned about following the letter of…

February 25 Readings – Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12 The story of Esther that we read today is a deep and nuanced narrative.   Esther is a Jew who has been exiled to live in the Persian Empire.  She eventually becomes queen, yet all the while having this hidden identity.  When we meet her today, she is at one of the lowest points of her life and cries out to God for help. In the gospel, Jesus tells his followers…

February 24 Readings – JON 3:1-10; LK 11:29-32 The first reading today situates us in the middle of the story of Jonah.  Most of us know the simplified version of the story (he was the guy in the belly of the whale for 3 days), but the actual story is quite rich and nuanced.  Jonah doesn’t want to do what God asks of him.  He is swallowed by a large fish (sorry, no whale is mentioned) and lives in its…

February 23 Readings – IS 55:10-11; MT 6:7-15 We could probably reverse the popular saying for today’s readings, “It’s not about what you do, it’s about what you say!” Today’s readings remind us that words matter. Isaiah says that God’s words go out into the world and don’t return until they’ve done their work. In the Jewish understanding of the world, that’s what words did.  They went into the world and had an impact, changed reality.  It’s what YHWH did…

February 22 1 Pt 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19 In the first reading, Peter exhorts the pastoral leaders not to “lord” power over people in their care.  This hearkens back to when Jesus told his disciples that they should not wield power in the same way as the world (from Matthew 20:25) by “lording” it over one another. Then in the gospel, Peter is told that what is considered bound on earth is bound in heaven and what is loosed on earth…

February 21 Readings – GN 9:8-15; 1 PT 3:18-22; MK 1:12-15 In today’s readings, the stories of Noah and Jesus are linked. We encounter Noah after the 40 day flood emerging to start a new life with a promise and the presence of God.  Then in the gospel, we encounter Jesus who was tested in the desert for 40 days who himself will emerge with a promise and presence. This promise and presence are ours as well as we embark…