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Living Water

Lent is inappropriately linked with sin and therefore with disempowerment. Lent is actually an experience of empowerment as the Lenten Sunday Gospel readings show. The Gospel from the First Sunday of Lent begins with Jesus being led into the desert by the Spirit. He is being empowered for his coming public ministry. The Gospel from … Continue reading “Living Water”

Transfiguration

While in a small group as part of a Lenten spirituality program a participant asked, “Who is God for you?” Most people began to answer the question by saying, “I think that God is …” Thinking about God, thinking about the image we have of God, is very different than sharing our experience of God. … Continue reading “Transfiguration”

Loving Our Enemies

This Sunday’s Gospel includes an unparalleled teaching by Jesus; love your enemies. This teaching surpasses the Golden Rule; do unto others as you have them do unto you. The Golden Rule is a challenge but it does not effect the same transformation in the world as does Jesus’ commandment to love our enemies. Loving our … Continue reading “Loving Our Enemies”

Old and New

The longer version of this Sunday’s Gospel includes a reference Jesus made to the law. Jesus says he has not come to abolish the law and that not the smallest letter of the law would not pass away. He was not however referring to the Old Testament law of Moses. Jesus already abolished that old … Continue reading “Old and New”

Salt and Light Within

While visiting lately with much older friends I heard them express feelings of sadness, even grief. They spoke tearfully of injustices and suffering in the world, specifically in the U.S. They had done their best to alleviate that suffering throughout their lives and saw significant change happen. Now, from walkers and wheelchairs, they were watching … Continue reading “Salt and Light Within”

Presentations

Included in this Sunday’s Gospel are the stories of Simeon and Anna. They are both prophets who happily receive Jesus and present prayers of thanksgiving in response. Simeon and Anna are just a few of the many common people who are drawn from the background to the foreground in the Gospel. The Gospel’s habit of … Continue reading “Presentations”

Ordinary

There is much about us that is ordinary. We follow regular routines, practice our customary habits, and see the usual faces. Peter, Andrew, and James were quite ordinary people when the Gospel tells their story of encountering Jesus. Jesus then showed them how to live within the ordinary and transform it, thus creating an extraordinary … Continue reading “Ordinary”

Knowing God

John the Baptist lets us know in this Sunday’s Gospel that before Jesus’ baptism he didn’t actually know Jesus. He said it twice: “I did not know him.” There are additional instances after Jesus’ baptism that shows John didn’t entirely understand Jesus, or His mission. (Matthew 11:2-6) Though John doesn’t know Jesus, John knows the … Continue reading “Knowing God”