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Genesis 25:21-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matt. 13:1-9,18-23
Hymn: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (21)
Homilist: Halcyon Wilson And Jesus spoke in parables so the people would understand. But not all did!
A parable compares something familiar to something unfamiliar. It helps us understand spiritual truth. It compels us to discover truth. Those who honestly seek God’s will, will have spiritual “hearing” and understand. A parable hides truth from the lazy or stubborn.
We are so familiar with the parable of the seeds, which we read this morning, that I wonder now if I have really understood it for today, for my family, for my church. Did those hearing Jesus then really understand? Did some find new truth in it? |
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Three Dimensions of Gods Love |
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We use many liturgical and theological sources in compiling our liturgies, Some of those we use most frequently include: Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1991) Liturgical Year: The Worship of God (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1992) The New Century Hymnal (Cleveland: Pilgrim, 1995) |
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April 26, 2008 - YEAR A - Sixth Sabbath of Easter Season |
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Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord Is King (221)
Homilist: Robert Dunn “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you” (John 14:18).
Spring is here. Have you noticed? This week I watched three hawks circle overhead. I heard the songs of many small birds. The bird we call Roger the Roadrunner returned, and we saw him pass carefully through our yard, alert both for food and danger. Our cats meditate at our windows, observing the ever-changing scene. They almost seem to pray, and I too am caught up in prayer. The universe responds to my petitions, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”
In the distance I hear the siren of an emergency vehicle. Who, I wonder, is sick? Or what structure is in danger? Later I hear the rumble of a passing train. In spite of our economic fears, business continues. Someone mows his lawn, so I sense civility and a concern for the feelings of neighbors survives. Two or three boys race past on their motorized skateboards. All these signal renewed life and hope. Spring is underway, and my heart rises to praise God for blessings received and to intercede for the fearful, the sick, and the dying. My Lord responds to all my petitions—both those I speak and those I leave unspoken, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”
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February 23, 2008 - Year A - Third Sabbath in Lent |
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Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-15
Hymn: As Water to the Thirsty (460)
Homilist: Paul Mallery Jesus was tired. In the heat of the day, Jesus and his disciples were passing through Samaria. In many of the miracles recounted in John, Jesus’ is very intentional: We are told that Jesus knew what he was going to do, or that some event happened in order to show God’s power. But in this case, Jesus was just passing through. What better time for Jesus’ longest-recorded conversation with anyone? The Samaritan woman doesn’t want any problems, so she comes to the well when it is uncomfortable to do so. She talks with Jesus. Jesus promises her living water. The woman wants living water.
The woman’s conversation and response to Jesus is confusing. The lesson for today recounts only the beginning of the discussion. If you were directing this dialogue as a script, how would the interactions work? What are the characters’ motivations? When do they pause? What does their body language suggest? How does this scene advance the plot? Are Jesus and the woman teasing or even flirting with each other? Has the woman been unfairly reduced to a particular stereotype of womanhood by later interpreters? Clearly the woman is flustered, or shocked, or changed, or confused. She doesn’t even remember to take her water jar back with her to her village. Her testimony to the village is particularly powerful, open-ended, and refreshing: “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” |
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