Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11 Easter 7A Are we asking Jesus the wrong question? The disciples look at their risen Lord and want to know: Is now the time when he will restore the kingdom of Israel? Surely, their teacher and master, the one whom the empire’s cross could not contain, the one who even death could not destroy, surely, now he will restore the kingdom of Israel. Such a victory seems like the next, right, glorious step. That kind of earthly comeuppance would be so satisfying for Jesus’ followers. How do you like us now, Rome?  But Jesus shuts down this line of thinking quickly, telling them the restoration of the kingdom of Israel is none of their business. Jesus says, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” But Jesus says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses.” That’s enough information — all the information you need to be the disciples … [Read more...]

Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 Easter 6A Jesus tells his disciples: If you love me you will keep my commandments. Pretty straightforward. Remarkably concrete, especially given that this comes in John’s Gospel, that account of Jesus’ ministry so filled with metaphor and mysticism. Here Jesus equates love with action. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. If we love Jesus, we will do what he tells us to do. We will obey the new commandment he gives a chapter before this one and repeats in the chapter after this one. We will love one another no less than Jesus has loved us. Concrete, but complicated and difficult. I am reading a book by Ola Tjorhom titled, “Embodied Faith: Reflections on a Materialist Spirituality.” He argues, “Faith is first and foremost life.” Faith is not so much about abstract ideas or theory, but rather about tangible practice enacted daily. He writes this about the church: “As the community of the justified, the church is called … [Read more...]

Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 Easter 5A I remember vividly feeling alone, afraid, homesick. Alone in a college dorm room, the youngest camper at an intense sports camp for swimmers, I ached to be home. We woke early, were in the pool by 6 a.m. and swam and swam and swam some more. Dry land training in the heat of a South Carolina summer and meals in the chaotic cafeteria punctuated all the hours soaked in chlorine. There were nods to fun — a movie night and some other social events. The older girls were kind to me, but uninterested in keeping me company given the dynamics of adolescents away from home and only moderately supervised. My 12-year-old self retreated to my single room and read a book, called home from the hall phone and tried to present an upbeat attitude even as I longed for my parents to come and rescue me. They knew then, and I know now, the parenting wisdom of allowing one’s child to tough it out and gain resilience through challenges that … [Read more...]

Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Easter 4A I appreciate Acts 2:42-47 for its clarity and brevity. When I struggle to know what to do personally, or how to respond as a faith leader, I find comfort and wisdom in these few verses about the early church. When I am floundering and feeling the stress of leading in uncertain, stressful, liminal times, I begin by focusing on just one verse, verse 42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Scripture, community, worship. Bible study, compassion, food and prayer. Learning God’s Word together, supporting each other, eating together, praying for one another. When I do not know what to do, I know I can begin with Acts 2:42. I can practice even one aspect of these marks of the early church and know the Spirit will show up and discernment will follow. Much of the Gospel appointed for today centers around hearing and responding to Jesus’ voice. The gate … [Read more...]

Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 Easter 3A Two of Jesus’ followers talk of nothing other than the traumatic events they just witnessed and experienced in Jerusalem. Like New Yorkers in the days after 9/11 or perhaps many of us sorting through the impact of COVID-19, we must talk about these life-upending, heretofore-unthinkable happenings. Somehow, the conversations, even when they are circular, repetitive and without answers, are inevitable. We cannot NOT ruminate over the circumstances in which we unexpectantly, unwillingly find ourselves. We need to check with those close to us so as to see if they are feeling what we are feeling, wondering what we are wondering. Do they have the same questions? Worries? We want to know what others think will happen next and how we should respond now that all our past assumptions no longer seem valid. I picture the two lost in intense conversation, and interrupted by this interloper who comes alongside them, asking … [Read more...]

Acts 2:14a, 22-32; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Easter 2A Every year, if one follows the Revised Common Lectionary, Thomas gets the spotlight on the second Sunday of Easter. I refrain from labeling him “doubting,” as that seems unfair given where Thomas ultimately ends up in this story. He declares with no caveat, “My Lord and my God!” Anyone of us should be so faithful in our unequivocal proclamation about Jesus. Besides, much happens in this resurrection narrative before Thomas enters the scene. The Risen Christ walks through a locked door – that ought to be noteworthy. He displays his still-fresh wounds. He gives the fearful disciples his peace, that promised peace that passes understanding. Further, he breathes on them, bestowing upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit, that power and accompaniment for which they were to wait. Not to mention he sends them out, no less than God the Father sent Jesus – surely this is worthy of remembering this week. And let’s not forget our … [Read more...]