How do we see? From whose perspective do we view the world? Do we take time to consider God’s point of view? Do we forget that our neighbors can see differently? Sometimes eyes are “lovely” and sometimes they are “weak.” Sometimes we are the deceiver and sometimes we are the deceived. This week’s texts are… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Wheat and Weeds
Jesus could have been using my garden as an example when telling this parable. Weeds among the things that were intentionally planted? Story of my life. I don’t particularly like weeding, so often the weeds will grow so tall that they will overshadow the plants that are supposed to be the highlights of my garden!… Read More
RCL: Telling the Stories
“Until lions write their own stories, the hunters will always be the heroes.” — African proverb I’ve been working — with dubious progress — to write some of my life stories for an upcoming book. As I recall and piece together (re-member) these stories, I’m keenly aware that others in my life have experienced these same events quite differently. It’s inevitable… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Dating 2017
After reading this Sunday’s texts, I’m convinced that they’re about dating. Yes, that’s right. Searching for romance. Looking for love. And maybe, in all the wrong places. First, we have the Abraham’s servant seeking a lovematch for Isaac. The qualifications for the job seem rather thin—she’s willing to give the servant water and water his… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: A Cup of Cold Water
When I read through the texts for this week my first thought was that the whole world needs a cup of cold water. We need to stop worrying about who has the better cup, or who deserves a drink, or who should be first to drink and just hold out a cup for the first… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Swords and Sparrows
This Sunday’s Gospel texts ranks high on my list of “things I wish Jesus never said.” Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. This is not the passage to… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Mourning into Joy
Somehow I landed both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (U.S. holidays) on the schedule of Revised Common Lectionary posts this year. Lord have mercy! Note to self: avoid the RCL posts on these holidays next year, ha! Note to reader: see the end of this post for particular reflections about Father’s Day. I love the… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: It Was Good
I don’t know about you, but I am tired. There is so much that needs attention. How do I find my way among the calls for action against racism, Islamophobia, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia? How do I manage to work toward clean energy, reducing the stigma around mental illness, and food security for all? And… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary – Drunk with New Wine Edition
We human beings are uncomfortable with those who stand out. Sure, we may like an actor or musician to be prominent on the stage or screen, but we like most people to fit in. In Numbers 11:24-30, Eldad and Medad are prophesying, but not at the tent of the meeting where they’re expected – they’re… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: We are Not Left to our own Devices
There is something within us that resists limitations and authority. We don’t like to admit that we have so little control over our lives and that humanity is not the ultimate authority on much of anything. I’ve been thinking about something I read many years ago by Peggy Way. She wrote about “the fact of… Read More
