Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 Ordinary 24C; Proper 19 Oh Jeremiah, you are in touch with God’s anger like seemingly no other! This week we get the word that we are stupid children, skilled at doing evil. As a result, God will rightfully bring desolation to the whole land, no relenting, no turning back. Is this a word we are willing to share? The only bit of relief comes with this short sentence, “Yet, I will not make a full end.” A glimpse of hope remains. God destroys in order to build up, but what of those living through the present-day wrath? I spent a lot of pastoral breath assuring people that God does not give us what we deserve, but rather extends a grace and mercy that belies reason and human imagination. Hence, this text from Jeremiah causes me pause. Does God sometimes drop the hammer on our misdeeds and let us suffer the painful consequences of our actions? I think of this more in terms of our corporate harm to creation and others, … [Read more...]
The joy of God’s instructions (Oct. 6, 2019)
Uniform Lesson for October 6, 2019 Scripture passage and lesson focus: Deuteronomy 4:1-14, 5:1-21 Most of us do not like to be told what to do and what not to do. Yet even the most rule-loathing among us realize that sometimes rules stem from love and concern — that they are meant to help us and keep us safe. This joy of such rules or instructions is evident in Deuteronomy 4, which celebrates the giving of God’s commands to the Israelites. Deuteronomy 4:1-14 — God’s instructions The first few chapters of Deuteronomy (literally “the Second Law”) consist of Moses’ farewell speech to the Israelites before their entrance into the Promised Land and before Moses’ demise. Like all good leaders, Moses has some advice for the people he will be leaving behind. And in this chapter, Moses warns them that in order to succeed they must keep God’s commandments and instructions. Moses begins by stating that the Israelites are not told to blindly follow God’s rules. Rather, Moses recounts the … [Read more...]
Words of Love: Don’t Trivialize My Name (Horizons 2)
Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments Lesson 2: “Words of Love: Don’t Trivialize My Name” Exodus 20:7; Matthew 7:21-23 As a child, I looked up the meaning of my name, and the name book said: “Like a beautiful rose; an ancient deep-sea monster”! “Rosalind” is Germanic in origin and combines words for horse, “(h)ros,” and “linti,” which means “soft, gentle, tender, weak.” Thus, the original meaning is a docile horse. Hmm, this doesn’t quite fit me. Knowing the ancient meaning of my name really doesn’t tell you much about me. You would have to get to know me — what I value, my eccentricities, humor, habits and moods. With any person that we know well, we link their name with their character. Some people’s names are associated with integrity and honesty, while other people’s names are associated with gossip and finding fault. To use God’s name correctly, we must know what God stands for and what God values. “You shall not use the Lord your God’s name as if … [Read more...]
Helping churches talk about racism
90-minute Presbyterian Outlook webinar Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (with on-demand video replay available after the live event) Presented by Carolyn B. Helsel If you are in one of the many predominantly-white Presbyterian congregations across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), chances are that racism isn’t a topic that gets addressed from the pulpit unless there’s a major news event of a hate crime. Many people avoid talking about racism for a number of reasons: worry that they will say the wrong thing, the belief that avoiding the subject will make race less significant or the fear of creating conflict in the church. As a white preacher and professor of preaching, Carolyn Helsel has written two books to help churches begin these conversations, and people of different races have commented on how her books have helped them engage in deeper conversations with one another on racism. During this webinar, she will help congregations start having meaningful … [Read more...]
13th Sunday after Pentecost — September 8, 2019
Jeremiah 18:1-11; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33 Ordinary 23C; Proper 18 Can any of us, really, live up to Jesus’ expectations in the gospel reading this week? Are we truly to hate life itself on account of our discipleship? Is this an example of Messianic hyperbole, or are we literally to hate those with whom we have the tenderest, closest ties? The trajectory of Jesus’ admonitions seems off, too. Hate mother and father, carry the cross, calculate the cost as if evaluating the viability of a massive building project, take stock of all the resources needed in order to wage a war. Also this: If you cannot give up your possessions you cannot be my disciples. Is Jesus setting us up to respond: “Oh, you mean all we must do is give up all our stuff, I’m into the Marie Kondo method already, I’m all set!” In that litany of disciple requirements, giving up our possessions sounds lightweight compared to the other instructions. And yet we rarely do even that. Perhaps the root of the … [Read more...]
12 Sunday after Pentecost — September 1, 2019
Jeremiah 2:4-13; Hebrews13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14 Ordinary 22C Proper 17 DIY discipleship never turns out well. When left to our own instincts, ideas and attitudes, we inevitably make choices that hurt ourselves and others; that create lives and worlds far less joyful, abundant and beautiful than God intends. As Jeremiah puts it, we trade fountains of living water for shoddy, humanmade cisterns that don’t hold water. As Luke tells it, we think more highly of ourselves than we should, and end up embarrassed and ashamed when our cover is blown and our real lives don’t match our Instagram ones. What Hebrews admonishes against doing, we do liberally – neglecting to show hospitality to strangers, forgetting those in prison, dishonoring relationships, loving money and hoarding resources. Sometimes do it yourself leads to disaster. And yet, over and over again we think we know better than God. Each of the texts this week shines a spotlight on our hubris. Note that Jeremiah … [Read more...]
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