John 1:1-18 There is so much that captures our imaginations in this wonderful poetry found in John’s first chapter. Indeed, one might find oneself reflecting on the similarity of these opening words to that of Genesis 1 where both writers weave poetry about ‘beginnings.’ One could stand still in the marvelous contrast between light and darkness. …
Category: Lectionary
Christmas Reunion
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared…” I am captured by it every single time. I can have the news on for background noise only, and every time I find myself rushing back into the room or turning towards the screen so as to catch the sight of a dad or mom kneeling down to …
Christmas in the Barn
Luke 2:1-20 I have friends who have done this for years — gathering in a barn on Christmas Eve — with bales of straw and battery operated candles and more people than room and a few animals to make it seem especially real. I’d thought about it in other years in other places, but existing …
Just What a Dad Does…
Matthew 1:18-25 I carry still a memory of my dad which goes back close to fifty years now. It was early December. I was five years old and I was suddenly ill and my mother called him home from work to take me to the hospital. Now I was the oldest of four children. I …
The Blind Receive Their Sight
Matthew 11:2-11 For me, at least, there is no more appealing image of John the Baptist than the one before us now. The John we meet preaching in the wilderness always strikes me as almost abrasive in his certainty. And while I could probably stand to be more like John in that way, I have …
Get Ready!
Matthew 3:1-12 I was late arriving at the hospital yesterday morning — my first day back from vacation. When I stepped into the waiting room to catch up with the family I was greeted with the words, “You’re just in time.” I had seen the signs posted downstairs about the drill, but in my rush …
The Wolf and the Lamb
Isaiah 11:1-10 A while back I was with a family and friends at a local restaurant. We had gathered for lunch after a late morning cemetery committal. Sitting at my end of the table were Ken’s widow, her cousin from California, a co-worker and friend, and another long time friend of the family. The conversation was more …
Last Days
Matthew 24:36-44 I snapped this picture last spring before the trees had yet leafed out. The sign had already been up for some time by then, although I have to say I never actually went inside to see what they might possibly be selling for a dollar in a furniture store. (Today if you drive by you …
Remembered
Luke 23:33-43 Last week I sat at the bedside of a woman who has struggled with her health for some time. It was her third hospitalization in a couple of months and that afternoon she was especially uncomfortable. Our conversation had waned when one of the cleaning staff quietly walked in. She greeted Anna by …
Falling Temples
Luke 21:5-19 I would be less than truthful if I said I knew precisely what to make of the Gospel lesson before us now. On the one hand, I do know at least a little bit of what it means when ‘temples fall.’ Anyone who has experienced the world changing around us has experienced the …