John 3:1-17 Trinity Sunday, Year B “Born OK the first time,” the bumper sticker read. Many who read it likely wondered what it meant. Of those who knew what it meant, many of those were likely offended. A small handful of people knew what it meant and chuckled. Born OK the first time, no need to be born again. All is well here. I admit to being in the third category of people named above. I knew what the bumper sticker meant and I chuckled. A Presbyterian growing up in the South, I’d run up against being asked, “Are you saved?” or “When were you saved?” multiple times. I’d even been asked if I had been born again. Nope. Born OK the first time. Saved a few thousand years ago with Jesus’ death and resurrection. All is well. Nothing to see here. Thanks (no thanks) for asking. I stand by my Presbyterian response to the “Are you saved?” question. I lean toward the Study Catechism’s answer to question 38: “Will all human beings be saved? No one will be lost who can be saved. … [Read more...]

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 Easter 7B What happens next? The seventh Sunday of Easter is all about what happens after resurrection and after Jesus’ ascension. The whirlwind of fear, grief, more fear, confusion, joy and nascent understanding gives way to a new normal. Judas (that one destined to be lost or the one allotted his share in this ministry depending how one wants to understand the betrayer’s role) has gone on to what? Glory? Judgment? Both? Now he fully knows and is fully known and I am hoping that with God’s great mercy even Judas is surprised by grace. The 11 feel compelled to be 12 again and the lot falls on Matthias. We hear nothing more of Joseph called Barabbas known as Justus. I suspect he is like so many other disciples through the ages: He keeps doing the work, doing his best to follow Jesus, trying to make his Christianity matter in his life and in the life of the world until he, too, meets God face to face. The 12, then 11, now 12 … [Read more...]