May 31, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Today, the phrase that jumps out at me from the readings is “outdo one another in showing honor.” I recall the people in my life, past and present, who are role models in this regard. I am blest to have many such exemplars in my life. Who are yours? May we all delight in this divine competition!

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Romans 12:9-16

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Isaiah 12:2-6

Luke 1:39-56

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

May 30, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

‘Tis the season for weddings and recitals, graduations and anniversaries. So many opportunities to dance and celebrate! God does indeed take pleasure in all of us people.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 16:11-15

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,

   God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in its Maker;

   let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

Let them praise God’s name with dancing,

   making melody to God with tambourine and lyre.

For the Lord takes pleasure in the people;

   and adorns the humble with victory.

Let the faithful exult in glory;

   let them sing for joy on their couches.

Let the high praises of God be in their throats

   This is glory for all God’s faithful ones.

Praise the Lord!

John 15:26 – 16:4

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

May 29, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

For an excellent sermon on today’s readings, listen to the audio link below.

http://trinityconcord.org/Sermons/Kemeza29May2011.mp3

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm 66

1 Peter 3:15-18

John 14:15-21

‘If you love me and obey the command I give you, I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Paraclete, another Helper to be with you always – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept since the world neither sees her nor recognizes her; but you can recognize the Spirit because she remains with you and will be within you. I won’t leave you orphaned; I will come back to you. A little while now and the world will see me no more; but you’ll see me; because I live, and you will live as well.

On that day you’ll know that I am in God, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who obey the commandments are the ones who love me, and those who love me will be loved by Abba God. I, too, will love them and will reveal myself to them.’

The reading translation is from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007).

May 28, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

It’s interesting that John 15 goes straight from “love one another” (which was yesterday’s reading) to some advice about dealing with the world’s hate. It seems to me that the message is to stay focused on the love and not be distracted by hate. I am reminded of Martin Luther King Junior’s sermon called “Loving Your Enemies” in which he said, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 16:1-10

Psalm 100

John 15:18-21

‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

May 27, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Love one another. If we love one another, then we are following Jesus’s commandments. It’s as simple as that. Although sometimes loving one another is far from simple. Gracious God, you loved us into being; inspire us to remember to see one another as you see us: lover, beloved and the love shared.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 15:22-31

Psalm 57:8-10,12

John 15:12-17

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Abba. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that Abba God will give you whatever you ask in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

May 26, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

I am in the middle of reading Doing the Truth in Love by Michael J. Himes, for the third time. Yes, I recommend it! One of his major themes is that there is no perfect understanding of God but that the least imperfect is that God is love: pure, selfless, all-giving love. Today’s snippet from the gospel of John falls within Jesus’s last words to his disciples before going to Jerusalem to face his death, and he focuses his attention on God’s love. One of the things I have learned is that when I face a difficult time, if I focus on love, the difficulty levels out a little bit and I find a way through to the other side.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 15:7-21

Psalm 96:1-3,10

John 15:9-11

As my Abba has loved me, so have I loved you. Live on in my love. And you will live on in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I live on in Abba God’s love and have kept God’s commandments. I tell you all this that my joy may be yours, and your joy may be complete.

The reading translation is from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007).

May 25, 2011

I have a plaque in my room that reads “Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit.” That means, “Bidden or unbidden, God is present.” An important concept to remember when reading the beginning of John 15, because otherwise one might be tempted to read “apart from me you can do nothing” as exclusionary, which I don’t believe it is. Jesus is not exclusive and neither is God, and just as the vine is rater clueless of the ministrations of the vine-grower, so often are we (or at least I am) regarding God’s loving presence in our lives. Whether I know it or not, the fruits of my efforts (and my luck) come from a loving God. And when my efforts or my luck fails, then it is God who redeems that.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 15:1-6

Psalm 122:1-5

John 15:1-8

‘I am the true vine, and my Abba is the vine-grower, who cuts every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, but prunes the fruitful ones to increase their yield. You’ve been pruned already, thanks to the word that I have spoken to you. Live on in me as I do in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, neither can you bear fruit from me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who live in me and I in them will bear abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Those who don’t live in me are like withered, rejected branches, to be picked up and thrown on the fire and burned. If you live on in me, and my words live on in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Abba will be glorified if you bear much fruit and thus prove to be my disciples.’

The reading translation is from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007).

May 24, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

If there is one greeting that would be universal across all religions, it might just be “Peace be with you.” Perhaps at this time, when we experience tensions between countries, sects, and religions, and when we seem to be at odds with our earth’s resources, all who pray might consider praying for peace, and all who meditate might dwell on peace, and all who work might work for peace. In our homes, in our governments, on our many lands.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 14:19-28

Psalm 145:10-13ab,21

John 14:27-31a

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; but the kind of peace I give you is not like the world’s peace. Don’t let your hearts be distressed; don’t be fearful. You’ve heard me say, “I am going away but I will return.” If you really loved me, you would rejoice because I am going to Abba God, for Abba is greater than I. I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you will believe. I won’t speak much more with you, because the ruler of this world, who has no hold on me, is at hand; but I do this so that the world may know that I love Abba God and do as my Abba has commanded. Let’s get up now, and be on our way.

The reading translation is from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007).

May 23, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

This whole commandment thing may be a bit tough to take for us North American twenty-first century types. Do you remember the theme song of the television comedy series “Malcolm in the Middle?” The lyrics repeat the line over and over, “You’re not the boss of me!” In today’s reality TV, road-ragey, get-them-before-they-get-you world, commandments might not go over big.

Instead of “commandment to be obeyed” let’s think “revelation to be treasured,” because this gift is all about love. Love lifts us up where we belong, love makes the world go ‘round, love is all you need.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Acts 14:5-8

Psalm 115:1-5,15-16

John 14:21-26

They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Abba God, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Abba God will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from Abba who sent me.

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom Abba will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

May 22, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

There are many times in life when all is well, but today’s reading isn’t really so germane during those times. It’s when we are despairing that the words, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me as well. In God’s house there are many dwelling-places,” bring hope. When we fail, when we fear, when we fall, we hear that there is a place for us; that God’s tent is very big indeed. I recently watched one of the Toy Story movies and was struck by the words of the theme song, “You’ve got a friend in me.” Isn’t that a wonderful metaphor for God (not perfect, but wonderful)? Or the song “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King. Michael J. Himes writes that the core sin is not pride but despair, and when I am in danger of falling into despair, these words from the Gospel of John are a comfort and a source of hope.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

John 14:1-12

‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me as well. In God’s house there are many dwelling-places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I will come back to take you with me, that where I am, there you may be as well. You know the way that leads to where I am going.’ Thomas replied, ‘But we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus told him, ‘I myself am the Way – I am Truth, and I am Life. No one comes to Abba God but through me. If you really knew me, you would know Abba God also. From this point on you know Abba God and you have seen God.’

“Rabbi,” Philip said, “show us Abba God, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and still you don’t know me? Whoever has seen me has seen Abba God. How can you say, “Show us your Abba?” Don’t you believe that I am in Abba God and God is in me? The words I speak are not spoken of myself; it is Abba God living in me, who is accomplishing the works of God. Believe me that I am in God and God is in me, or else believe because of the works I do. The truth of the matter is, anyone who has faith in me will do the works I do – and greater works besides. Why? Because I go to Abba God.

The reading translation is from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007).

May 15, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

For an excellent reflection of today’s readings, listen to the audio link below:

http://trinityconcord.org/Sermons/Morris15May2011.mp3

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

   You make me lie down in green pastures;

you lead me beside still waters;

   you restore my soul.

You lead me in right paths

   for your name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

   I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff—

   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

   in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

   my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

   my whole life long.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 20, 2011

The Lord God has given so many of us the tongue of a teacher, so as to sustain the weary with a word. I am grateful for the people in my life who have played that role and I pray that when God wakens my ear I will listen and not turn backwards.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God has given me

   the tongue of a teacher,

that I may know how to sustain

   the weary with a word.

Morning by morning he wakens—

   wakens my ear

   to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord God has opened my ear,

   and I was not rebellious,

   I did not turn backwards.

I gave my back to those who struck me,

   and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;

I did not hide my face

   from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me;

   therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like flint,

   and I know that I shall not be put to shame;

   he who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

   Let us stand up together.

Who are my adversaries?

   Let them confront me.

It is the Lord God who helps me;

   who will declare me guilty?

All of them will wear out like a garment;

   the moth will eat them up.

Psalm 69:8-10,21-23,31,33-34

Matthew 26:14-25

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 19, 2011

“The psalmist, knows that trust is not easy and must confront not only those who would deny it, the enemies as the psalmist calls them, but even our own weakness and struggle to endure. The trust that the psalmist knew in their youth, and which is maintained even at advanced age, is one that confronts enemies constantly, be they external or internal ones that attack us from within. This is the nature of the trust that was called for from both Jeremiah in his calling and Jesus in his. The past experience of that trust met by God’s presence is what sustains the psalmist to the end. The psalmist knows that only a life of praise of God can sustain.”

(from http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pent13Psalm71.html )

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Isaiah 49:1-6

Psalm 71

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;

   let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;

   incline your ear to me and save me.

Be to me a rock of refuge,

   a strong fortress, to save me,

   for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

For you, O Lord, are my hope,

   my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

Upon you I have leaned from my birth;

   it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.

My praise is continually of you.

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,

   of your deeds of salvation all day long,

   though their number is past my knowledge.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,

   and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

John 13:21-38

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 18, 2011

The scene in this passage takes place six days before Passover. The next day Jesus will enter Jerusalem to the cheers of palm-waving crowds and soon after that Jesus will wash his disciples’ feet, just as Mary does for him. Why did he do that? Did he emulate her example? Because he felt her love and wanted to pass it along? Just asking.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Isaiah 42:1-7

Psalm 27

John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 17, 2011, Palm Sunday

The only way to be free of suffering is to let go of grasping.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm 22

Philippians 2:6-11

Phil 2:6-11

Though he was in the form of God,

   did not regard equality with God

   as something to be clung to,

but emptied himself,

   taking the form of a slave,

   being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

   he humbled himself

   and became obedient to the point of death—

   even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

   and gave him the name

   that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

   every knee should bend,

   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

   that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Matthew 27:11-54

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

Ruahmie: April 16, 2011

Ruahmie: April 16, 2011: "I know that I am not outside this story. I am capable of thinking like Caiaphas and I pray every day that God will guide my thoughts and my ..."

Ruahmie: April 15, 2011

Ruahmie: April 15, 2011: "“The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me.” What a picture of despair that describes! Indeed, this psalm wri..."

Ruahmie: April 14, 2011

Ruahmie: April 14, 2011: "God’s love is timeless and endless, from before the earth ever existed, through the evolution of plants and animals and humankind, through t..."

Ruahmie: April 13, 2011

Ruahmie: April 13, 2011: "This is what I believe: that God is good and that God’s goodness is beyond human comprehension. There is no shame, no despair, no pain, no l..."

Ruahmie: April 12, 2011

Ruahmie: April 12, 2011: "In times of distress, my comfort comes from knowing that God is with me every minute of every day and knows me and loves me. I am known and ..."

Ruahmie: April 11, 2011

Ruahmie: April 11, 2011: "In the story of Susanna and also the story of the woman caught in adultery, compassion wins out over condemnation. May God open all our eyes..."

Ruahmie: April 10, 2011

Ruahmie: April 10, 2011: "De Profundis by Rollo de Caen Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee: “Lord, hear my cry!” The answer comes in the smile of a friend ..."

Ruahmie: April 9, 2011

Ruahmie: April 9, 2011: "What a muddle we humans create! Learned authorities are sometimes less insightful than the uneducated; those who are confused or undecided s..."

Ruahmie: April 8, 2011

Ruahmie: April 8, 2011: "I am sorry to say that there have been too many times when I have failed to recognize the divine in another person until after it is too lat..."

April 16, 2011

I know that I am not outside this story. I am capable of thinking like Caiaphas and I pray every day that God will guide my thoughts and my actions; that is my only hope, my only source of consolation. Oh God I believe, help my unbelief!

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Ezekiel 37:21-28

Jeremiah 31:10-13

John 11:45-56

Many of those who had come to console Martha and Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.’ But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.’ He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death.

Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?’

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 15, 2011

“The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me.” What a picture of despair that describes! Indeed, this psalm writer knows as well as Diettrich Bonhoeffer that “Only a suffering God will do.” I cry out in pain and my God wraps me in loving arms and rocks me in ancient rhythms of earth song.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Psalm 18:2-7

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

   my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,

   my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;

   so I shall be saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me;

   the torrents of perdition assailed me;

the cords of Sheol entangled me;

   the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord;

   to my God I cried for help.

From the temple God heard my voice,

   and my cry reached God’s ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked;

   the foundations also of the mountains trembled

   and quaked, because God was angry.

John 10:31-42

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 14, 2011

God’s love is timeless and endless, from before the earth ever existed, through the evolution of plants and animals and humankind, through the lives of families of Sarah and Abraham and the lives of our own families and their descendants. In the face of this endless love, why do I care about small annoyances, or even large ones. God is good.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Genesis 17:3-9

Psalm 105:4-9

John 8:51-59

Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ The Temple authorities said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and Sarah died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” Are you greater than our ancestors Abraham and Sarah, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. But the One who glorifies me is Abba God, of whom you say, “This is our God.” You have not come to know God, but I have and if I were to say that I do not know God, I would be a liar like you. But I do know God and I faithfully keep God’s word. Your ancestors Abraham and Sarah rejoiced that they would see my day; they saw it and were glad.’ Then the authorities said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Sarah and Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Sarah and Abraham ever were, I AM.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 13, 2011

This is what I believe: that God is good and that God’s goodness is beyond human comprehension. There is no shame, no despair, no pain, no lamentation that is beyond God’s notice and beyond God’s redemption.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Daniel 3:14-20,91-92,95

King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up." Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered. "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 3:52-56

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

John 8:31-42

Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

The reading is from the website below.

http://www.usccb.org/nab

April 13, 2011

This is what I believe: that God is good and that God’s goodness is beyond human comprehension. There is no shame, no despair, no pain, no lamentation that is beyond God’s notice and beyond God’s redemption.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Daniel 3:14-20,91-92,95

King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up." Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered. "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 3:52-56

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

John 8:31-42

Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

The reading is from the website below.

http://www.usccb.org/nab

April 12, 2011

In times of distress, my comfort comes from knowing that God is with me every minute of every day and knows me and loves me. I am known and loved and found to be worthy and useful.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 102:2-3,16-21

Hear my prayer, O Lord;

   let my cry come to you.

Do not hide your face from me

   on the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me;

   answer me speedily on the day when I call.

For my days pass away like smoke,

   and my bones burn like a furnace.

For you will build up Zion;

   and will appear in your glory.

You will regard the prayer of the destitute,

   and will not despise their prayer.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:

that God looked down from the holy height,

   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoners,

   to set free those who were doomed to die;

so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion,

   and God’s praise in Jerusalem,

John 8:21-30

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 12, 2011

In times of distress, my comfort comes from knowing that God is with me every minute of every day and knows me and loves me. I am known and loved and found to be worthy and useful.

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 102:2-3,16-21

Hear my prayer, O Lord;

   let my cry come to you.

Do not hide your face from me

   on the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me;

   answer me speedily on the day when I call.

For my days pass away like smoke,

   and my bones burn like a furnace.

For you will build up Zion;

   and will appear in your glory.

You will regard the prayer of the destitute,

   and will not despise their prayer.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:

that God looked down from the holy height,

   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoners,

   to set free those who were doomed to die;

so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion,

   and God’s praise in Jerusalem,

John 8:21-30

The reading is from the website below.

http://bible.oremus.org/

April 11, 2011

In the story of Susanna and also the story of the woman caught in adultery, compassion wins out over condemnation. May God open all our eyes to the ways we might exercise loving-kindness rather than hatred, compassion rather than cruelty, joy rather than fear, equanimity rather than rush to judgment. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil!

Namaste! Amen!

The Readings

Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62

Psalm 23

John 8:1-11

Early in the morning Jesus arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.  But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin anymore."

The reading is from the website below.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/daniel/daniel13.htm