Now You’re just Meddlin’

A Sunday reflection for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost.The lectionary readings for today are here. The title of this piece comes from an old preacher joke about two folks who were excited about a new preacher and encouraging her to preach against all the ills of the world – lying, cheating, stealing, etc., until sheContinue reading “Now You’re just Meddlin’”

A Spirit of Adoption

A Sunday reflection on the Day of Pentecost. The lectionary readings for today are here. All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”Continue reading “A Spirit of Adoption”

Are We Willing?

A Sunday Reflection for the Second Sunday in Lent.The lectionary readings for today are here. On this second Sunday in Lent, I’m drawn back to the invitation to Lent we read on Ash Wednesday: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;Continue reading “Are We Willing?”

Containing God

A Sunday Reflection for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany.The Lectionary readings for today are here. Today is the last Sunday before the season of Lent and in the Gospel lesson for today we read of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The writer of Luke tells us that Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to comeContinue reading “Containing God”

Remembering & Reflecting

A Sunday Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.The Lectionary readings are here. The Gospel reading for today is the writer of Luke’s telling of what is more commonly known by the label we give to the writer of Matthew’s version: the Beatitudes. Luke’s version is shorter, a series of Blessings and Woes aContinue reading “Remembering & Reflecting”

Filled with the Spirit

A Sunday reflection for the third Sunday after the Epiphany.The Lectionary readings for today are here. In his telling of the good news story, Luke tells us that after Jesus’ baptism he is ‘full of the Holy Spirit’ and that being led by the Spirit, Jesus goes into the wilderness to face the temptation ofContinue reading “Filled with the Spirit”

Comfort, Joy, Peace

One of the (if not THE) most practical courses I had to take in seminary was one titled “Evangelism”. Of course, my evangelical-church-influenced childhood caused me to enter the class on the first day with arms folded and mind closed because the only idea of evangelizing I knew was to convince people, whether or notContinue reading “Comfort, Joy, Peace”