In the Parish

Reading: Matthew 28:1-10 Bad news can often overshadow good news.  The good news of Easter ultimately shatters all bad news we might face.

Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4 The creation story is not to tell us about what is, rather to tell us what will be.  The beginning shows the end.

Reading: John 18:1-19:42 Jesus' death on the cross is an exchange, our sins for his righteousness.

Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is set up in contrast to the spectacle of a victorious king entering a city.  Likewise Jesus' entry is in contrast to the spectacle given to us every day in the media.

Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 John 11:1-45 There are many things that seem to mark us and have us claim them for our identity.  Our foremost identity though is through God's activity of giving us new life in Christ.

Reading: John 3:1-21 Throughout the gospel of John, the world is always seen in opposition to God and in need of redemption, for which Jesus is sent.  God does not deal with this opposition the way we might like to deal with it, running away and cutting it off from our lives.  Instead God in his love for the world that opposes him, sends Jesus to enter into the brokenness and save the world.

Our theme "Jesus is the Answer! What are the Questions?" continue rom Advent during our Lenten midweek services. For our first week's service the question was asked, "What does it mean to be the Church? Are we to feed the hungry or preach the gospel?" Here is my reflection along with some more questions along the way. BTW: The recording is 40 minutes or so.  You might want to download it rather than stream it.

Readings: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Matthew 4:1-11 The temptation of humanity in the garden of Eden showed the allure of our desire for freedom.  That notion is misplaced however.  Jesus' temptation by Satan stops the lie of freedom and instead shows obedience as the true form of freedom.

Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 In the midst of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he gives people instructions  about the proper motivations for acts of devotion--prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Our acts of mercy are ways God gives us to train our bodies and spirits in the ways God desires for us.

Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 The Transfiguration story gives its readers and hearers a glimpse of Jesus' full glory.  It is also a preview of the entire story of Jesus wrapped up in God's story of salvation.