October 31, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

I know that God is forgiving and patient; therefore I do not understand today’s reading. But I find a little hope in the prayer of Thomas Merton, recently shared with me by a friend: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me; I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Namaste

The Readings

Matthew 13.36-58

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

October 30, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

I once heard a joke about a woman who sent a letter to her son and the note said, “Start worrying, details to follow.” I laughed out loud when I heard that joke, because it resonated with the crazy way I confuse preparedness with non-essential worry.

Gracious God, help me to discern when preparedness crosses over to the dark side. I know I can do this with your help!

Namaste

The Readings

Nehemiah 5:1-19 (NRSV)

Acts 20:7-12 (NRSV)

 Luke 12:22-31 (NRSV)

He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?  If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?  Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith!  And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.  For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

October 29, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Who knows what Jesus meant to say in the telling of these stories? Scholars have studied them for two thousand years. Today, what the stories say to me is this: As different as a mustard seed is from a great shrub, as different as unleavened bread is from leavened, that’s as different as this life is from the kingdom of heaven. As amazing as the transformation is from seed to tree, from flour dust to bread, that’s as amazing as the transformation from this life to the next is.

Namaste

The Readings

Nehemiah 4:1-23 (NRSV)

Revelation 7:9-17 (NRSV)

Matthew 13:31-35 (NRSV)

Jesus put before them another parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in a field;  it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."  He told them another parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."  Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.  This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

"I will open my mouth to speak in parables;

I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world."

October 28, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

I am reassured and charmed by the words in bold below; that we all have gifts to be discovered and nurtured and cultivated. Our goal is to look for those gifts … in ourselves and in one another … this community of family, friends, acquaintances, parishioners, teachers, students … we all are called to look for the gifts God has given, and then to cry out with joy, like a child at the seashore who finds a treasured shell, “I found it!”

Namaste

The Readings

Isaiah 28:9-16

Ephesians 4:1-16

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, 'When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.' (When it says, 'He ascended', what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

October 27, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Today’s reading from Revelation is a long one, but the bottom line is this: Praise be to God!

J

Namaste

The Readings

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Revelation 5:11-6:11

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!’

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might

forever and ever!’

And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped.

Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer.

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, ‘Come!’ And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!’

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, ‘Come!’ I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, ‘Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?’ They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow-servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.

Matthew 13:18-23

October 26, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

It is only by choosing to be in the presence of God that I might see, even a little bit. Only by choosing to listen for God’s word that I might hear, even a little bit. It is only by choosing to let go of my obsession with the non-essential that I might come to understand the essential, even a little bit.

Gracious loving God, open my eyes and ears, guide my understanding, that I might see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day.

Namaste

The Readings

Ezra 6:1-22

Revelation 5:1-10

Matthew 13:10-17

Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"  He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.'  With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

'You will indeed listen, but never understand,

and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

For this people's heart has grown dull,

and their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes;

so that they might not look with their eyes,

and listen with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn-

and I would heal them.'

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.  Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

October 25, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

What a generous sower we have in God! It doesn’t matter if on one day we are stubborn as a rock, on another day dry as dust, on another day muddled and confused, God just keeps throwing a multitude of seeds upon us until the day when we are ready.

Namaste

The Readings

Ezra 5:1- Ezra 5:1-17

Revelation 4:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. 2Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!’

October 24, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

How are we to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves? Perhaps you would have us do our honest best at all times and then to let go of failure, if it comes, and also to learn from and let go of success, if it comes. Either way, let love be our goal and guide at all times. If we have love, we have everything, despite fear or failure. If we do not have love, we have nothing, despite all earthly successes.

Namaste

The Readings

Jeremiah 11:18-23

Matthew 10:16-22

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

October 23, 2011

For an excellent reflection on today's readings, checkout the sermon from Holy Family, Concord, MA:
http://concordpastor.blogspot.com/2011/10/whole-lotta-lovin-going-on.html

October 22, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

I love the part of today’s reading that talks about how the outsider, the Queen of the South, assumed to be the Queen of Sheba, comes to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon and observes that the Wisdom of Solomon merely points to something greater, something ineffable, something … outside our comfort zone. Only an outsider can get us there. Gracious God, let me see the folks I would normally rule out as “other” through your eyes. Open my eyes to your Wisdom.

Namaste

The Readings

Ezra 4:7, 11-24 (NRSV)

Philemon 1-25

Matthew 12:33-42

"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.  You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.  I tell you, on the Day of Judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."  But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.  The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!  The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

October 21, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

This reminds me of a quote from the Dalai Lama: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” I bet if Jesus and the Dalai Lama met one another, they would hit it off. I don’t know about you, but if everything I did was done in love, I’d have many fewer regrets in life. Gracious God, help me to remember your words of love this day and always.

Namaste

The Readings

Ezra 3:1-13

1 Corinthians 16:10-24

If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am; therefore let no one despise him. Send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers.

 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.

 Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

 Now, brothers and sisters, you know that members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people, and of everyone who works and toils with them. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people.

 The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. All the brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 12:22-32

Reflection for October 20, 2011

See the readings below

Today’s Gospel reading refers to a passage from Isaiah 42. It’s interesting that in Isaiah, the word is “nations” not “Gentiles” and I take this whole periscope from Matthew as a sign that God is bigger than any one tribe or family or country or species or sect or any other human construct. Jesus came for all of creation. Alleluia. Amen.

Namaste.

Ezra 1:1-11 (NRSV)

1 Corinthians 16:1-9 (NRSV)

Matthew 12:15-21 (NRSV)

15 When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, 16 and he ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 "Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,

my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud,

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

20 He will not break a bruised reed

or quench a smoldering wick

until he brings justice to victory.

21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope."

Reflection for October 19, 2011

(See the readings below)

Oooh, I really feel for those poor Pharisees. Their God is so very small. Really just a big bossy person. But then, don't I do the same thing when I judge myself and others in a shame-based way? Can't I too learn to be a better person?

Gracious loving God, help me to see your face in everyone I meet. Help me to allow my poor image of you to grow ever bigger, ever more. Help me to let you be BIG!

Namaste

Readings for today:

Lamentations 2:8-15

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Matthew 12:1-14 (NRSV)

1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." 9 He left that place and entered their synagogue; 10 a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, "Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.