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...]

1 Kings 19:1-15a; Luke 8:26-39 Ordinary 12C; Proper 7 Elijah, on the run, fleeing Jezebel, seeks refuge in the wilderness, under a bush. Afraid and exhausted, he prays to God for death and then falls asleep. An angel visits him and gives him food. Strengthened and perhaps encouraged, Elijah gets moving again, traveling 40 days and nights until he reaches Mt. Horeb. Once again, he seeks shelter, this time in a cave. Then God speaks to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah holds nothing back and details all his loyalty and service, his disappointment and despair. God does not respond with a counter-argument or a reassuring word or even a rebuke of Elijah’s litany of woe. Instead God gives Elijah the gift of presence. Elijah does not receive special powers or a promise of unmitigated success or certain vindication or relief from further pain and suffering. God tells Elijah to leave the confines and relative safety of that mountain cave and go out and meet the Holy. … [Read more...]

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Our God is characterized by collaboration. Wisdom speaks in Proverbs about being beside God from the very beginning, a master worker, delighting in all that God called forth. Our God is characterized by gratuitous giving. Paul says in Romans that while we were weak, Christ died for the ungodly. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Truly, God’s giving knows no end. Our God is characterized by stalwart, steadfast, advocating presence. Jesus tells his disciples in John that ultimately nothing will be left unsaid or unrevealed. Keenly aware of human finitude and limits, God makes accommodations, sending the Holy Spirit to tell the truth and help humans grasp the mind and heart and will of their God. Trinity Sunday grants us the joy of remembering and celebrating the amazing grace, the glory, the beauty and the goodness of our God. Trinity Sunday challenges us to pattern … [Read more...]