Old Testament: Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him, but because of Reuben’s intervention they only stripped him of his robe and threw him into a pit with no water. Gospel: John gets arrested and Jesus walks away? That’s how the passage reads to me. Instead of going to visit John in jail, Jesus goes off to gather new followers. He then travels to Capernaum,
People often think about the season of Lent as a rather grim, dark time. After all, it usually falls in the dull, cold, gray days of late winter and is noted as a time of abstinence and fasting – of “giving something up.” But actually the name Lent comes from the same root word as “length” and it refers to the fact that at
Today’s gospel reading is very familiar; John preparing the way for Jesus and then baptizing him in the River Jordan. While a reading we more often associate with Advent, a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth, Lent is actually a perfect time to reflect on what Mark is telling us here. What does it truly mean to “prepare the way” for Jesus to come?
The following is one of the many lessons to be taken away from the Gospel of John. Here Jesus is praying to the Lord Father for his disciples, in doing so He teaches us, as believers, how to pray for each other. In this Jesus specifically says He is “not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are
In a world where things are often seen as black or white, we are often confronted with gray areas, predicament with a blurry line between right and wrong. In studying today’s readings, I’ve taken away one overall theme: to be present in and aware of our thoughts, actions, and interactions. We must be responsible for how we live our life. The Psalms contrast complaint
What better way to start Lent than with two of Bach’s greatest large-scale works? At the Prelude (10:50 am) Fantasia & Fugue in C Minor Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) What a special piece this is! I have always loved this Fantasia very much and find it unique among his large organ works. For me, it has a very expressive, almost vocal manner about it.
Prayers embrace many forms in content and expression, all of which are welcome at God’s literal and figurative altars whether they are whispered, spoken or sung. Each of us has our own expression. Contained in today’s readings are several forms. One appears to be spoken, John 17:1-8; another, Habakkuk 3:1-18, is considered a poem and a hymn according to various sources; and Psalm 37
“Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” –Eugene Peterson’s translation of 2 Corinthians 5:20 I don’t know about you, but the thought of Lent can be a bit exhausting: yet another series of promises and obligations so that I can get closer to God. This year, I have decided to take the same approach as I do to my New Year’s
Ascension’s Recovery Eucharist seeks to intentionally create a safe worship environment for helping those who have been either afflicted or affected by addiction to create a place for spiritual growth and development for those in search of healing and recovery. It is in the midst of our brokenness that we encounter God’s unconditional love which is manifested in God’s grace. We invite you to
As many of you know, we are hearing the first sounds of the new Manton Memorial Organ. Built by Pascal Quoirin of St. Didier, France, it is the first French-built organ ever installed in New York City, and will no doubt be one of the most significant organs of our time. During the Fall the organ was assembled here, the mechanisms all put together,