In this week’s lectionary reflection, Teri McDowell Ott highlights a theology of trauma that emerges from Luke’s crucifixion scene and why exposing this trauma is the beginning of hope.
"Hope is a reality that we build our faith on. And hope is incredibly impractical. Both things can be true. God gives us some examples in Scriptures ... that help us hold space for that nuance and choose hope nonetheless."
"This Sunday we, like the Pharisee and the tax collector, will come to the Temple full of needs. … Our Scripture lesson today reminds us that we cannot fulfill these needs on our own. But the good news is that we don’t have to."
"Prayer is not easy. It’s about asking, seeking, knocking, and waiting. Over and over and over again. ... There’s no secret recipe. No magic formula. Just persistence and focus and commitment and discipline. Again and again and again."