Lent (Page 3)

So often in scripture, trees are used as a metaphor for the faith life. Trees are ancient and wise guides that have much to teach us.

The words from Jeremiah today tell us, “This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. [Go] in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” When I read passages like this, I often find myself saying, “Absolutely, God. I love the sentiment. But HOW do I listen to your voice? HOW do I know what ways you have commanded?” So I…

In the eyes of the divine, there is always enough. In fact there's more than enough when we open our hearts and minds.

In the book of Daniel,, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego defy the king at great personal cost. Are we willing to do similar?

In Jesus'time, his hearers struggle to accept that God is doing something new in their presence. Our struggle is probably similar.

The Israelites are complaining in the desert feeling abandoned by God. So, too, do we often find ourselves wondering siilar thoughts.

Jesus tell his famous story about the Prodigal Son - which is, perhaps, his greatest teaching on love, forgiveness and grace.

In today's readings, those who are rejected become the central figures - offering redemption and healing to the collective.

[Note: Today’s guest blogger is Kateri Boucher. Kateri grew up in the Spiritus community, where she loved attending church and goofing off in youth group. She now lives in Detroit, Michigan (Waawiiyatanong). She is the Ministries Coordinator at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and a remote Masters of Divinity Student at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.] In today’s gospel passage, Jesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus who slept outside the rich…

I remember being in an anti-racism workshop many years ago as the facilitator was speaking about “white flight” from urban areas and the creation of suburbs across the United States. The facilitator was reflecting on how, in general, by creating these homogenous enclaves, white people were demonstrating their belief that their lives would lose nothing by not having people of color around.  That line was a gut punch because down deep I knew that it was true. In the book…

The prophet Isaiah counsels us to "set things right," and Jesus embodies this in his being a humble servant.

Historically, sin was understood as a more collective reality rather than a privatized experience. In our togetherness we fall and rise.