The texts for Sunday, September 9, 2012 (Lection 23): Isaiah 35:4–7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1–10[11–13] 14–17; and Mark 7:24–37 "Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter." - Mark 7: 26 I wonder if this story is more than it seems. I wonderContinue reading "The Syrophoenician Woman"
A Parable about “Pure” Religion
The texts for Sunday, September 2, 2012 (Lectionary 22): Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9; Psalm 15; James 1:17–27; and Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23 "It wasn't about the stained glass window. At least it wasn't supposed to be," Bobby thought as she looked at the swirling colors of shattered glass through her tear-filled eyes. She had wanted toContinue reading "A Parable about “Pure” Religion"
Religion of the Heart
The texts for Sunday, September 2, 2012 (Lectionary 22): Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9; Psalm 15; James 1:17–27; and Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23 "So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?'" - Mark 7:5 Every once in a while,Continue reading "Religion of the Heart"
Faithful Imagination
The texts for Sunday, August 26, 2012 (Lectionary 21): Joshua 24:1–2a, 14–18; Psalm 34:15–22; Ephesians 6:10–20; and John 6:56–69. "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.'" - John 6:68-69 InContinue reading "Faithful Imagination"
Wisdom we re(member)…Even if We Forget
While this Sunday I did not preach at Salem and Immanuel (we were blessed with the words of Sarah N., a student a YDS who is also a member of Immanuel), I did preach at the Lutheran Home of Southbury. The Home specializes in dementia care, though it's residents are a diverse group. For example,Continue reading "Wisdom we re(member)…Even if We Forget"
You are What You Eat
The texts for Sunday, August 19,2012 (Lectionary 20): Proverbs 9:1–6; Psalm 34:9–14; Ephesians 5:15–20; and John 6:51–58 "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." - John 6: 56 In ancient thought (particularly Greek thought), the body was seen as a microcosm of the universe. What thisContinue reading "You are What You Eat"
To Believe and to Live
The texts for Sunday, August 12, 2012 (Lectionary 19): 1 Kings 19:4–8; Psalm 34:1–8; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; and John 6:35, 41–51 Here we are in week three of five of John 6— and we are sort of in the middle to the end of Jesus' long discourse on bread— We started two weeks ago when weContinue reading "To Believe and to Live"
Life-giving?
The texts for Sunday, August 12, 2012 (Lectionary 19): 1 Kings 19:4–8; Psalm 34:1–8; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; and John 6:35, 41–51 "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: 'It is enough; now, O LORD, take away myContinue reading "Life-giving?"
What is it?
The texts for Sunday, August 5, 2012 (Lectionary 18): Exodus 16:2–4, 9–15; Psalm 78:23–29; Ephesians 4:1–16; and John 6:24–35. "When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you toContinue reading "What is it?"
Ego ami
The texts for Sunday, July 29, 2012 (lectionary 17): 2 Kings 4:42–44; Psalm 145:10–18; Ephesians 3:14–21; and John 6:1–21. ... I think that we all have that little bit of terror... that little bit of the lingering question "who is really in control?" Because we aren't. We look around us and see hungry people andContinue reading "Ego ami"
Another Look at the Resurrection
The texts for Sunday, July 22, 2012 (The Feast of Mary Magdalene): Ruth 1:6–18; Psalm 73:23–28; Acts 13:26–33a; and John 20:1–18 ...It was a quiet, early morning still lots of shadows as the sun barely peaked over the horizon. It was a sad morning—one, I imagine that was dampened by tears long before Mary ofContinue reading "Another Look at the Resurrection"
Tipping plus signs…
The texts for Sunday, July 29, 2012 (lectionary 17): 2 Kings 4:42–44; Psalm 145:10–18; Ephesians 3:14–21; and John 6:1–21. "So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets." - John 6:13 I confess that I have an overwhelming urge whenContinue reading "Tipping plus signs…"
The Feast of Mary Magdalene
The texts for Sunday, July 22, 2012 (The Feast of Mary Magdalene): Ruth 1:6–18; Psalm 73:23–28; Acts 13:26–33a; and John 20:1–18 "Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her." - John 20:18 I'm sure there was a goodContinue reading "The Feast of Mary Magdalene"
The Sacred Body
The texts for Sunday, July 15,2012 (Lectionary 15): Amos 7:7–15; Psalm 85:8–13; Ephesians 1:3–14; and Mark 6:14–29 ... I think that sometimes we spend too much time in our heads. We forget that faith that hope that new life is embodied: is felt is experienced in our bodies in movement, in smells, in sights, inContinue reading "The Sacred Body"
Two Banquets
The texts for Sunday, July 15,2012 (Lectionary 15): Amos 7:7–15; Psalm 85:8–13; Ephesians 1:3–14; and Mark 6:14–29 "But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee."-Mark 6:21 This text about the beheading of John the Baptist is so full of horror,Continue reading "Two Banquets"
Seeing Anew
The texts for Sunday, July 8, 2012 (Lectionary 14): Ezekiel 2:1–5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2–10; and Mark 6:1–13 At the synod assembly a few weeks ago now the seven last words of the church were mentioned. Do you know the seven last words of the church? "We've never done it that way before." or,Continue reading "Seeing Anew"
Born into a Broken World
The texts July 1, 2012 (moved from June 24, 2012 — the celebration of the birth of John the Baptist): Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 141; Acts 13:13–26; and Luke 1:57–80 ... Our world is full of shattered lives and broken people and all sorts of broken dreams, ideas, systems, and priorities. Our world is full ofContinue reading "Born into a Broken World"
Thoughts on transitions: vis-à-vis belated reflections on the New England Synod Assembly
Tammee told me that I needed to write an article for the newsletter about the synod assembly. It's nice not to have to think about what to write sometimes … but now I have to figure out how to write it. The Naugatuck Lutherans sent five voting members—Nancy and Don G., Brett B., Jay M.Continue reading "Thoughts on transitions: vis-à-vis belated reflections on the New England Synod Assembly"
Jabbok Dawn 