Forgiveness comes up with some regularity in the Bible. Did God forgive Nebuchadnezzar for sending those three into the fiery furnace? In the Psalm we ask God for guidance, assistance and mercy. Please forget my sins! In the verses from Matthew, Peter asks Jesus, “How shall I forgive someone who sinned against me?” The answer is forgiveness must be genuine and boundless. I find
Jesus reads this passage from Isaiah at his local temple: “The spirit of The Lord is upon me because He anointed me to preach good news to the poor… release to the captives… sight to the blind… liberty to the oppressed…” Jesus proclaims to the congregation, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus begins his ministry with this commitment, the promise
I have struggled with the story of the Prodigal Son all my life. It’s comparatively easy to acknowledge my identification with the wastrel younger son, who departs on a crazy adventure, squanders his inheritance, and returns to unexpected forgiveness and welcome. Sins of excess, of foolishness, of confusion, are easy enough to recognize and own. Even if no one actually throws a party to
Our waiting is not likely to be appalling. Joseph waited, imprisoned in a pit; the vineyard waited, caught between destruction and redemption. For us, the Lenten script was written long ago. We know the ending; it will be bloody and then finally redemptive. So, what do we do — or be — about it? Forty days is a long time to stay focused…without the
The Bible is pretty clear: follow the Law and you will live as a fruitful tree beside a stream of water and spend eternity resting in the arms of Abraham; don’t follow the Law and you will end up as chaff blown away and burning in the fires of Hades. The problem for me is that, despite these high stakes, laws can be capricious and unclear. I am tempted to pick and choose.
On the surface today’s readings — and if we are honest Lent as a whole — can be violently dark. Filled with lines such as “Hekeldama, known as the field of blood,” “their path is one of destruction,” and “gathered and burned,” the images invoked are ones that prey upon our most deep-set fears and regrets over past decisions. Who hasn’t felt or wondered
How do we know the best way to show appreciation? Have you ever given someone a housewarming or thank you gift that you knew immediately was a little wrong or unwelcome? I know at our house we seem to get many scented candles. It is not common knowledge that my husband is allergic to smoke and fragrances. Do we refuse the gift? No; accept
Daniel begins to pray to the Lord asking for forgiveness for his people so that they might have true and contrite hearts to follow the Lord. Today we tend to hold onto anger or hatred when wrong has been done to us. The power of prayer and forgiveness can go a long way, but we have to allow forgiveness to guide our hearts in
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” St. Paul’s metaphor of the different parts of the body ALL being necessary for its healthy functioning comes to mind when reading today’s passages. This bullet point list may seem unorthodox, but here is what I am still learning about serving Christ in a world
The story of Eli and Samuel tells us that sometimes the call we hear is not for us but for another. We’re being asked to help that person listen and hear what’s being said. It took Eli three tries to realize that it was Samuel, an unlikely candidate, who was being called by God, and not himself. Lent is about being quiet in body