December 28, 2008 Luke 2:22-40
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Long-Awaited Gift During this Christmas season, our rejoicing reflects our confidence that God makes things happen, that the reign of God shapes our world. We rejoice with Anna and Simeon, who proclaim that the amazing good news of God's just and loving way comes in Jesus for all nations, and celebrate with Paul that Christ is the gift who unites us as God's children. |
December 21, 2008 Luke 1:26-38
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Birthing a Promise Scripture bears witness to God's activity among humankind. To Mary, to David, to Paul, assurance of God's presence is clear. As we ground ourselves in the story of God's faithfulness, we join them in aw and wonder, rejoicing that God continues to give birth to grace, hope, new possibilities, and salvation for everyone. |
December 14, 2008 Psalm 126
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Shouts of Joy God promises restoration and healing. God has done great things for God's people in the past and is doing great things in our own lives today. With the community of God's people, we proclaim that God is faithful. We rejoice in God's promises and continue to work and pray for the fulfillment of this vision. We shout for Joy. |
December 7, 2008 Isaiah 40:1-11
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Messengers of Hope When God's people are in distress, messengers of hope come to remind of God's steadfast love. Isaiah speaks a message of comfort to God's people in exile: God will bring them back to the land of promise. The other scripture passages remind us of the good news of God's faithfulness. We, too, are called to be messengers of hope. |
November 30, 2008 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
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Where Are You, God? With the psalmist, we cry out to God: where are you? We long for a restored relationship, to know that God is with us. As we enter Advent, Isaiah and Mark remind us to be alert, to be ready for God's appearing in our midst. In confidence and hope, we affirm with Paul that God will strengthen us to the end. |
November 23, 2008 Matthew 25:31-46
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Reigning Compassion Today is Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday, the end of the church year. This day we proclaim the hope of God's eternal realm of justice and peace. Disciples are called to imitate God's love for all creation, and especially for those who are vulnerable, weak, and oppressed. God is at work through us, as we find Christ in one another. |
November 16, 2008 Matthew 25:14-30
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Extravagant Opportunity Jesus' teaching used an extraordinary image to encourage disciples to seize opportunities to serve neighbors and strangers. God's extravagant, life-giving love is not limited by traditional boundaries. It is found in unexpected and surprising places. Faith, hope, and love empower us to live as though the fulfillment of God's reign is imminent. |
November 9, 2008 Matthew 25:1-13
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Tending God's Light Those who bear the light of Christ are called to give constant attention to tending the source of this light within. God's Spirit is the life given to each disciple. As we wait for the fulfillment of God's reign, we are to tend to the things that sustain and nurture our faith, and tend to the ministry and service to which God calls us. |
November 2, 2008 Matthew 23:1-12
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Partners in Service Jesus insisted that word and deed corroborate each other. Disciples are credible witnesses when their loving actions mirror their words. Religious leaders have authority when their teaching takes form in their love toward God and neighbor. Disciples are called to be partners in service, learning and growing together as they love God and neighbor. |
October 26, 2008 Matthew 22:34-46
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The Compassionate Life Extravagant, unrestricted compassion marks living in God's way. What helps us to stay faithful to living in this way? Some rules promote growth and energize positive relationships. Others limit, exclude, disempower, harm, and hurt. The gospel of Matthew reminds the emerging Christian community of Jesus' rules: unconditional love for God and neighbor. |
October 19, 2008 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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Living Messages Like our faith ancestors in Israel and Thessalonica, we are called each day to choose God over "idols" that seek our allegiance. Each day we are called to serve God and neighbor. As we make God's story our story, we are fashioned as living messages of God's good news for others. We are shaped for living as disciples in community with God's people. |
October 12, 2008 Philippians 4:1-9
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Praiseworthy Living As the people of Israel journeyed in the wilderness while being formed as God's covenant people, so do we journey while learning to live as a community of disciples. Writing from prison, Paul encourages disciples to be open to God's leading, rejoicing in new patterns of praiseworthy living that reflect the joy of life in communion with God. |
October 5, 2008 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
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Wisdom for the Way God's wisdom for creating healthy communities is found in the Ten Commandments. Such wise words are gifts from God to help our lives work better. This week, listen as the readings call us to consider again what God desires for our world and to learn patterns of living shaped by God's wisdom. |
September 28, 2008 Exodus 17:1-7
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God's Sustaining Presence As the Israelites learn to live as a community of God's people, they encounter frustration and anger, and then hope, as God's compassion comes in a surprising way. God's people today still encounter God's grace in unexpected places and persons. Taken together, these texts challenge us to discern God's abundant provision and our response. |
September 21, 2008 Exodus 16:2-15
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Tensions in the Wilderness God listens and responds, providing through nature, other people, and communities. After the Hebrew people fled from Egypt, they were tested by unfamiliar territory, hunger, and lack of knowledge. In the midst of such tension, God provided for their needs. In Matthew, Jesus responds to a time of tension with a parable about God's care and generosity. |
September 14, 2008 Exodus 14:19-31
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Road to Freedom God acted to liberate the Hebrew people, and they responded with joyful celebration. They saw God's saving work and believed. Then, as now, God hears the cries of oppressed people and acts. This God is worthy of trust and loyalty. The gift of such compassion strengthens faith for the lifelong journey toward living in freedom in God's reign. |
September 7, 2008 Exodus 12:1-14
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Remember, Restore, Renew Community is formed in ritual, learning, service and worship. The Hebrew people received God's grace and compassion in the gift of the Passover and in remembering this experience of liberation. Today, Jesus' disciples continue to remember and celebrate God's saving works in loving, disciplined, worshiping communities. |
August 31, 2008 Exodus 3:1-15
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Called By Name God's people continue to grow through struggle. God called Moses by name in an unexpected encounter. God claimed him, and Moses responded in faith. Today, we also respond to God's call in faith. We receive God's liberation and commission to service. Following God is risky, but Jesus reveals God's saving work in such costly faithfulness./td> |
August 24, 2008 Exodus 1:8-2:10
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Courageous Women Women play a prominent role in securing Israel's future, providing models of courage and persistence. God hears the cries of those who are oppressed and stands with them, and can be trusted to help in times of adversity. God's people - empowered to resist and overcome - can work with God to achieve liberating justice. |
August 17, 2008 Genesis 45:1-15
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Blessed and Forgiven Joseph's brothers are dismayed. Joseph reconciles with them without revenge. God secures Jacob's salvation and Israel's future through Joseph. Compassion and forgiveness overcome evil; such reconciliation is possible because God is involved. God cares about the people beyond Israel too. God's saving love is for everyone. |
August 10, 2008 Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
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Lifted Up Sometimes it seems that God is absent, or manipulates human misery to achieve a purpose. The story of Joseph and his family reminds us that God is present in a living relationship with people. God protects what is promised, redeeming the day. God restores God's people, bringing good from evil and order form chaos. In challenging times, God is with us. |
August 3, 2008 Matthew 13:13-21
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Table of Plenty God can accomplish much with little. A few loaves and fish feed multitudes. An unpromising character is changed and lends his new name to the entire people of Israel. Community is shaped by such compassion in action. These stories evoke trust in God to welcome us to the table and provide plentifully for our needs. |
July 27, 2008 Matthew 13:31-34, 44-52
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Pictures of God's Realm Sometimes Jesus' teaching used familiar images in unfamiliar ways to help disciples understand the extraordinary value and unexpected shape of the reign of God, which is among us now and is also yet to come. God's way is full of surprises, bringing forth great things from small beginnings. Such treasure is for everyone. |
July 20, 2008 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
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Wheat and Weeds Together God reigns now, but God's influence is incomplete. Jesus' followers wanted to know whom to exclude from God's reign. They wanted to judge who was a "genuine" disciple. Jesus' parable opens another way. In our time, all may live together in community as faith grows. God will decide what is acceptable and what is not, in God's own time. |
July 13, 2008 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
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Abundant Possibilities Faith celebrates the abundant possibilities that God sows in our lives and the lives of all people each day. Disciples may wonder at the mysteries of the seasons of growth. We may lament why things happen as they do. Yet God continues to invite us to love and give extravagantly in certain hope of God's future. |
July 6 22, 2008 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
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Sacred Rest Jesus beckons all in the community of disciples to seek moments of sacred rest. When we labour without recognizing Christ among others and even within us, we may overlook the peace that God promises to provide. The readings for today invite us to trust God, that we may know wholeness and peace. |
June 29, 2008 Matthew 10:40-42
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Gifts of Compassion Relationships that exemplify hospitality involve both giving and receiving. Welcoming one another in Jesus' name sets the stage for sacramental moments. We may encounter in another the presence of God. Another may Experience in us the grace of Christ. We trust God to provide what will be needed. |
June 22, 2008 Matthew 10:24-39
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Daring Discipleship Moving out into the world, empowered by the Spirit of Pentecost, Jesus' disciples encounter division and conflict. Jesus knew that following God's leading would not prevent such situations; it may bring them on. But scripture proclaims this good news: God hears voices raised in needs and responds. Daring disciples, then and now, move forward with courage. |
June 15, 2008 Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
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Named for a Purpose Acting with great compassion, Jesus extends the reach of God's liberating justice by naming others for the purpose of sharing in the work of revealing God's coming realm. Jesus sends those who have followed and learned from him. Though the journey likely will lead through precarious places, God's presence will energize and sustain those who say yes to Jesus' call. |
June 8, 2008 Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
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Restoring Love God's powerful and restoring love provides a fresh start. In today's texts, those who encounter Jesus experience new lives of wholeness as they believe and respond. Abraham and Sarah follow God's leading, "hoping against hop" in God's promise of a new family. All find that God's restoring work leads not to what has been, but to what can be in God's reign. |
June 1, 2008 Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19
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Waters of New Life Genesis 6 reports that the earth will be destroyed because of humankind's evil ways, yet also tells of the possibility of a fresh start through waters of new life. Noah lives according to God's plan, and participates in God's new beginning for all creation. Other scriptures also witness to God's redeeming and transforming power at work to secure our future. |
May 25, 2008 Matthew 6:24-34
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Seeking God's Way The readings today proclaim that God cares for us and provides for our needs. The realm of God, which Matthew calls, "kingdom of heaven," is now; we are formed by God's ongoing relationship with us. When we are distracted by the requirements and details of everyday living, Jesus invites us to entrust our lives to God's Spirit and follow in God's way. |
May 18, 2008 Genesis 1:1-2:4a
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Creation Continues In Genesis 1, God speaks and new life emerges. On this Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the many ways that God continues such life-giving work among us. We rejoice in the gift of living each day in relationship with God as Christ's disciples - formed in the Creator's image and empowered by the Spirit - and commit to caring for what God has made. |
May 11, 2008 Acts 2:1-21
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Life-giving Spirit This Pentecost Sunday we celebrate God's life-giving Spirit poured out abundantly on the community of disciples. Rich images of wind and fire frame the proclamation of God's power in words that all can understand. Community is extended by the Spirit's blessing through a diversity of persons and gifts for the common good. |
May 4, 2008 John 17:1-11
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Community of Prayer Jesus offers a prayer that showers disciples - in that time and for all time - with vocation and unity in God through Christ. So prayed for, the community of Jesus becomes a community of prayer. Such prayer strengthens and empowers faithful witness and service. Such prayer holds up the vulnerable in word and for deed. Such prayer rejoices in God. |
Apr. 27, 2008 John 14:15-21
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Spirited Love God has listened to our searching for holy presence. Spirit's gift comes as response to that listening. The language of relationship with God is Spirited love. Love keeps this relationship in word and deed. Love casts out fear. Love does not abandon. Love is eager to do good. Love provides place. Through love we find, and are found, by God. |
Apr. 20, 2008 John 14:1-14
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A Place with God In word and deed and character, Jesus shows us God. In that revealing, Jesus assures us we have a safe place with God. That promise remains secure in times of joyous presence and of troubled absence. Such hope takes shape in the psalmist's trust of God as rock and fortress, and in Stephen's dying graciousness. This is the way, and the One, we follow. |
Apr. 13, 2008 Psalm 23
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Life Abundant God shepherds by providing all that we need, which is not the same as all we may want. The good shepherd does not abandon us in times of suffering and danger. God stands with those who enter and dwell in such places. Even there, especially there, God leads as a companion whose presence may still our fears. God's steadfast love is trustworthy. Always. |
Apr. 6, 2008 Luke 24:13-35
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Risen Indeed "Christ is risen!" With this traditional profession of Easter faith, we open ourselves to new life in Christ. We share this truth with the disciples whose hearts were opened along the road to Emmaus. We share this truth with the disciples in Jerusalem who preached the good news. In our rituals and in our living each day, we declare, "Christ is risen indeed!" |
Mar. 30, 2008 John 20:19-31
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Faithful Doubt Christ greets fearful disciples with the word of peace and the gift of Spirit. Easter joy results. Even Thomas' doubt becomes faith's stepping-stone rather than stumbling block. What kind of faith does God seek? God seeks trust that witnesses to a living hope; joy that celebrates God, who opens paths that lead to life. |
Mar. 23, 2008 John 20:1-18
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Alleluia We can rejoice in Easter's news because of its first witness: Mary Magdalene. Resurrection was not that day's prospect. The voice of the Risen Jesus calling her name surprises Mary into recognition, then prepares her for surprising witness. Christ is among us. So said Mary, so say those who follow her lead. Christ is risen. Alleluia! |
Mar. 16, 2008 Matthew 26:14 - 27:66
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To the Cross Questions. Doubt. Belief. THe readings for Holy Week hold these in tension, even as God holds us. God hears our voices and tends to our needs along this journey to the cross, as we should, "Hosanna," and cry out, "Why?" Even when there are no words to express our wondering, God invites our trust. We are safe in God, whose hands hold all our times. |
Mar. 9, 2008 John 11:1-45
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Out of the Depths Doubt and belief abound when death asserts that life and hope have boundaries. This week's readings assure individuals and the community of God's people that the life, hope, and comfort we find in God's care are boundless. Our song, even in the midst of tears, gives witness to such amazing grace and love. |
Mar. 2, 2008 John 9:1-41
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No Limits on Love Rules and traditions intend to set helpful limits. Yet even the best-intentioned may be narrowly viewed so as to love sight of what is needed: love. God sees and works beyond constricted perspectives so that opportunities to restore and anoint are not lost. Do we see and act that way? Or does fear of breaking with the old - or being open to the new - blind us? |
Feb. 24, 2008 John 4:5-42
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Water, Word, Witness Is God with us? Listen to these stories' witness of water and word. Water flows from need to gift. Words shift from misunderstanding to revealing. The confluence of water and word in the Samaritan woman's story witnesses to who Christ is and who we can be. Our need for living water is quenched by the God who is with us. |
Feb. 17, 2008 John 3:1-17
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Respect and Challenge One teacher ventures out at night to meet another. Respect and challenge mark their encounter. Ambiguous language opens rather than closes conversation. At stake, then and now, is the potential for birthing to new life and opening to God's blessing. Faith beckons us to go out from what is known and journey toward the One whose promises are trusted. |
Feb. 10, 2008 Matthew 4:1-11
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Wilderness Encounter Lent opens with stories of testing and trusting. In parched wilderness and in lush gardens, temptation comes. Sin or faithfulness follows, not because of the testing itself, but by what gets chosen in response. Live out of traditions whose truth we have experienced. Trust God's steadfast love. Rely on grace that ministers to our needs. |
Feb. 3, 2008 Matthew 17:1-9
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Holy Encounter As Advent opened, so the Season after the Epiphany closes: on a holy mountain where God may be found. It is a place of sacred mystery, where shining and shadow convey holy presence. It is a place of community across time, where God's people of past and present meet. It is a place of silence and witness where visions are kept quiet and God says of Jesus: "Listen to him." |
Jan. 27, 2008 Matthew 4:12-23
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Called to Follow Following in God's way is a journey that calls for choice and brings change. When Jesus calls ordinary fishers to follow, they choose to do so. Paul appeals to the church at Corinth to choose unity in Christ's mission. As the call to follow in God's way unfolds in our lives, such choice is ours each day. |
Jan. 20, 2008 John 1:29-42
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Meeting Jesus The Spirit brings change. When Andrew and Peter meet Jesus, the Messiah, their lives change. They choose a new direction, the path of discipleship. God's Spirit continues to form faithful servants who bring God's way of justice and peace to the world. As we listen to the witness of those who have been called by God's Spirit, we encounter our own Spirit-led call. |
Jan. 13, 2008 Matthew 3:13-17
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Accompanying the Spirit The Spirit is at work in our lives to help us claim our identity as God's children and lead us in God's way. In this short Season after the Epiphany, the scriptures invite us to wonder about the many ways that God's Spirit brings change. This week, we hear the voice of God speaking new things into action and consider the blessings and responsibilities that come with this gift of Spirit. |
Jan. 6, 2008 Matthew 2:1-12
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Where Is the Child? Wise ones and powerful ones ask "Where is the child?" for different ends. Epiphany, the name for the season we enter, comes from a Greek word that means "manifestation." Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to the world. It reveals God's coming in unexpected places and people. It reveals that God's coming in Jesus is for all who would follow its light. |