Hosea 11:1-11; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 Ordinary 18C Proper 13 To whom do we turn when seeking guidance? Justice? Wisdom? Reassurance or perhaps vindication? The texts for this week are directional: God laments that though called, beloved and treated with goodness, God’s people move away from God. “My people are bent on turning away from me.” Colossians tells believers to seek things that are above, where Christ is. Get rid of those base actions such as lying and slander and abusive language. Jesus instructs the brother desiring his fair share of the family inheritance: Look to being rich in God, not in things. Turn away from your fixation on possessions and turn instead toward the One who promises to provide you with what you need. Where do we turn for a sense of security? Ethical and moral guidance? A rule for living? A source of our value and worth? The answers to these questions – consciously or unconsciously –guide our attitudes, choices and actions. In … [Read more...]

Hosea 1:2-10 Ordinary 17C; Proper 12 This week, we are grateful to guest contributor John Wurster for writing this week’s lectionary reflection.   The prophets regularly challenge us to face the truth about God’s identity and our own. We may prefer a god who doesn’t care, who doesn’t get involved, who would just leave us alone. A god always above and beyond, out there, up there. A god who would just give the universe a spin and then go and do something else. A god who wouldn’t seek a relationship with us. A god unconcerned about what we do and how we do it. A god to whom it didn’t matter what we worshipped, what we pursued, what we gave ourselves to. That may be the god of our preferences, but that’s not the God of the Bible, the God of the prophets, the God of Hosea: a God not only out there, but also down here, right here. Not only beyond us, but also within us, closer than our breath. Not only the sovereign creator of the universe, but also our lover, our … [Read more...]

Amos 8:1-12; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Ordinary 16C; Proper 11 Two phrases stand out in this story of Mary and Martha: “many things” and “one thing.” Many of us know the story well. Martha is distracted by her many tasks. She is, after all, hosting a dinner in her home. We know that entails preparing food, tending to guests, making sure drinks are offered and refilled and perhaps tidying up quickly while no one is looking. Her sister, Mary, does not participate in the many tasks at hand. Instead she sits at Jesus’ feet — another way of saying she listened to his teaching, sought to soak in the wisdom his offered, took advantage of the proximity and knowledge of this remarkable person. Martha complains to Jesus about this arrangement. Jesus chides her and commends Mary. The moral of the story resounds through the ages: Focus on Jesus, ignore the rest. But is the story really that simple, clear-cut and obvious? Perhaps. The plain reading might well be just that … [Read more...]

Amos 7:7-17; Luke 10:25-37 Ordinary 15C; Proper 10 “Amos, what do you see?” “A plumb line.” “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” The answers are obvious. The answers are obvious, but their implications not easy, nor always readily apparent. I can imagine Amos, that not-a-prophet-but-a-prophet, looking at what he knows to be a plumb line and wondering why God would be showing him a plumb line. What’s holy about a plumb line? What religious ritual employs a plumb line? What is God up to with this plumb line? I wonder if Amos gave his answer confidently or with an implied question mark at the end. What about that lawyer who wanted to test Jesus? I suspect he did not hesitate to show what he knew. Jesus asks, “What is written in the law?” and the lawyer thinks, “I got this.” The lawyer can recite … [Read more...]

2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Ordinary 14C; Proper 9 Seventy-two disciples. One servant girl. A group of Naaman’s servants. Not battalions of soldiers. Not a gathering of world leaders. Not a carefully selected group of the brightest and the best. Just 72 disciples made up of tradespeople and tax collectors. Just the least of the least. Just a young, female servant. Just those unworthy to advise the powerful who muster the courage to speak up. Both Old and New Testament lessons this week point to God’s choice of ordinary people to shape the salvation story and do divine work. Jesus’ advance team of 72, sent out in pairs, would not have appeared impressive or noteworthy. I suspect they looked like ordinary travelers, in need of hospitality, on the road going about their business — with few suspecting their business was divinely ordained and Spirit infused. After all, they did not carry any outward trappings of status or wealth, no readily evident signs of power or … [Read more...]

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Luke 9:51-62 Ordinary 13C; Proper 8 The point of no return looms over both the reading from 2 Kings and Luke’s Gospel. Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven. Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. Big changes are afoot and there is no turning back from being taken up — in a whirlwind or on the cross. The question for Elisha and for disciples of Jesus is: Will they go the distance with those they profess to follow? Elisha repeats, “As surely as the Lordlives and as you live, I will not leave you.” Elisha remains steadfast, never leaving Elijah, receiving that double portion of Elijah’s spirit and taking on his prophetic mantle. The would-be followers of Jesus in Luke don’t exhibit such tenacity and loyalty. Jesus warns the first one who steps up and proclaims, “I will follow you wherever you go.” He says: Don’t count on lush accommodations, an easy life or much worldly comfort. The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. Are you sure you mean what … [Read more...]