Do Not Fear

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:26-38 Do not be afraid. This is a strange greeting, isn’t it? Yet this is how Gabriel, in the Gospel of Luke, says hello to Mary and Zechariah both. Do not be afraid – this is the greeting the Angels give the shepherds. “Each word of assurance offered by the …

Why Are You Standing There?

Acts 1:6-14  John 17:1-11   Ever feel like telling the angels in Acts or the Gospels, DUH! Maybe giving them a dirty look to boot? I know I do. The disciples are speaking with the Risen Jesus, and then before their very eyes Jesus rises up and goes into the clouds. Quite naturally, the disciples …

In the Garden

Jeremiah 31:1-6 John 20:1-18 In the beginning, writes Genesis. In the beginning, write John. Genesis tells us God -spoke- and created all. John tells us the Word was with God and through the Word all was created. In Genesis, God is a Gardener. God makes a peaceful garden and places people in it - but …

Hope Against All Hope

Ezekiel 37:1-14 John 11:1-45 Ezekiel's prophecies don't just spring to life without context. God gives them to Ezekiel to speak about the very real world Ezekiel knows. Ezekiel was born into a priestly family of money, and power. He got an education, and worked as a priest advising the royalty of the Kingdom of Judah. …

I’m Too Busy!

Amos 8:1-12 Luke 10:38-42   Last week, Jesus was approached by a man who had studied scripture, memorized it, and knew all the commentaries. A super well educated man. And that man who knew all the writings asked Jesus - what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus told him he can't just read …

Empty?! Easter 2016

Isaiah 65:17-25 John 10:1-18 Empty. I don't like that word. It makes me feel... empty. Lonely. Nothing about. Mary wept to find the tomb empty. Someone, she supposed, had stolen Jesus’ body. Publically torturing and killing him wasn’t enough – now they were going to desiccate his body. Empty is sad. Empty of company. It …

Delight!

John 2:1-11 Psalm 36:5-10 For a sake of a good story, let's make up some details to our Gospel story today: Picture! Joe and Jane are getting married. They've invited all their family and friends, and the whole town. It is completely acceptable in their culture to just show up at any wedding you hear …

What Child is This?

Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52 Our Lectionary gives us today the story of two women, both seeking their sons. Hannah goes to see Samuel and finds him in the temple. Of course, she expected to find him there. She presented him to the temple to be raised as a priest in gratitude for …

Peaceful Feet

Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 1:68-79 Elderly Elizabeth and elderly Zechariah had no children. Elizabeth prayed for a child; and Zechariah received a vision of the future child that struck him deaf and mute. This elderly couple have been waiting, and waiting, nine long months. For the last few months, Elizabeth's young, young relative Mary has been …