Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 I pulled up my chair at a meeting today next to a city leader the other day. In my defense, our time was short and the setting was less than ideal with others quickly arriving. Even so, unexpectedly he leaned in close and said to me, “What do you do when you …
Tag: Matthew
Even a Cup of Cold Water…
Matthew 10:40-42 I am remembering this now how a good friend of mine tried to instill this kind of welcome in the workings of the Emergency Department which she directed. Again and again she would tell her young staff to treat everyone who came like they were their grandma. I can distinctly remember the joy …
“…And Those Who Lose Their Life For My Sake Will Find It…”
Matthew 10:24-39 On Friday afternoon I arrived at the wedding venue a little early and I found myself in conversation with the family friend who had come to do hair and make-up for the women and girls in the wedding party. Realizing I was a pastor, she made the connection between me and the recently …
The Harvest is Plentiful…
Matthew 9:35-10:8 It’s my observation that we are not accustomed to thinking of much of anything as ‘plentiful,’ these days — at least in our collective life in the church. At least not in terms of the things we long for or believe ourselves to need. This came home to me this last Friday morning. …
Jesus, a Grieving Dad, a Hemorrhaging Woman, and All of Us Who Have Ever Been Brought Low…
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 I have found myself struggling some as I paused with the familiar images before us now, especially that of the wondrous returning of life to a child who had died and healing to a woman who had suffered long and the sound of Jesus’ voice saying, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has …
The Face of God
Now this is so. I have never been one who knew too much of how to speak of the Holy Trinity. I expect my mind does not work naturally in such categories, with such systematic ways of thinking. More than this, and perhaps for this reason, I imagine, I have never found a good way …
“Home By Another Road…”
Matthew 2:1-12 For many a season now I have read T.S. Eliot’s poem, “The Journey of the Magi,” expecting it would bring deeper meaning to the Epiphany. The truth is, though, that while I referred to it 9 years ago now in On Magi and Journeys, many years it has fallen a bit flat for …
Upside Down Glory
Matthew 25:31-46 I imagine you might hear this as I do today, hearing about Jesus coming into his ‘glory,’ knowing which of Jesus’ hands I hope I will end up on. Oh yes, I have heard these words for decades by now and with that hearing comes the undeniable understanding of who and what I …
Wasted Gifts and God’s Grace
Matthew 25:14-30 Fear is what kept those talents buried in the ground, of course it is. The third one doesn’t name it that directly, but it is what drove him to simply tuck it all away in a safe place. And I get that, I really do. Because the risk is powerfully great. One could …
Oil In Our Lamps…
Matthew 25:1-13 It was the late winter in 1979. I was a senior in high school and competing at the state tournament in forensics. Extemporaneous speaking was my event. I grew up in a small town some 80 miles west of Chicago. We had a great speech program, mind you, with wonderful coaches. Those in …