Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
Change is not easy. When life changes we feel a little out of control. We lose a sense of our place. We are sometimes confused about our purpose. A part of us might even wish for nothing to change, ever! Keep things the way they always were so that my life isn't disrupted. But we know that change is needed and inevitable. Change is needed because we are not "there" yet. We do not live in a world filled with God's grace and the peace that Christ lived and died for. We have not yet committed ourselves to racial justice. The coronavirus continues to spread in part because we haven't as a society changed the way we think about caring for our neighbor. The environment is all out of whack. The church from its very beginnings has struggled against change. Paul realized the Gospel of Jesus Christ was for the whole world, not just for the children of Abraham who were distinguished by circumcision, the sign of the covenant. When Paul said a person didn't have to be circumcised to be a follower of Jesus he was run out of town. This proves the point that we do not have God's wisdom or depth of grace. God is ever-expanding our understanding of the community of faith and expecting us to care for and about more and more of our neighbors. We can go into this ever-changing world kicking and screaming, demanding that nothing is moved and nothing is done to make us uncomfortable. Or we can embrace God's wondrous plan. We can confront racism, change unjust systems, expand our sense of community, make new relationships, and let love of others be our guiding principle. Take some time today to write down the changes you have experienced in your lifetime. Were they scary to go through? What lessons did you learn from them? How do you deal with change in the church and change in the world? Peace, Dean
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Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A Parousia. It's a Greek word that means the time of Christ's return. There was an understanding directly following the ascension that Jesus would appear again. In this second coming, the world would be transformed into the Reign of God where peace would prevail. Those who followed Jesus were sent into a hostile world to call people into repentance and preach the Gospel. They went expecting to be persecuted. The words of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew this morning encourage those who are being persecuted to flee to the next town. And, before they had fled to all the towns in the area, the Son of Man would return. Of course, in many ways, the early Christians discovered the Parousia had been delayed. Jesus did not immediately return. The city of Jerusalem fell under siege and was destroyed in the year 70. It became important to write down the oral history and preserve the Gospel for the generations who would follow. The Gospel of Mark was written around the year 70. Matthew and Luke were written around the year 85. And, the Gospel of John was written down around the year 100. Try reading the Gospels through the lens of a violent suppression of a peasant uprising. Even in this context, the Gospels point us toward God who overwhelms evil with love. Jesus sends the twelve out with his peace. He encourages his followers to persevere through the suffering. God has a plan for this world that is bigger than what we see through our windows. We need to work for it through repentance, forgiveness, grace, peace, the pursuit of justice, and blessings. We are not alone in this chaotic and life-giving work. In many ways, Christ has returned through the Holy Spirit. We are joined in the world by the presence of God who equips us all to build up a new creation by loving our neighbor. One way we can do this is to work to dismantle racism throughout the world. Tune in today at 1 pm on Facebook for a United Methodist Service of Lament. Then, let's wade into the suffering with the hope and assurance that we carry with us Christ's peace and love. Peace, Dean
Something A Little Different
I love the morning discipline of reading the daily lectionary texts, praying, and reflecting. Sometimes, the Spirit points you in a different direction as a focus, and I try to trust that. One of the things that we have had to go without during this pandemic is the church potluck. Meals at the church bring us together socially. The table creates lasting friendships and full bellies. We are reminded of Jesus who gathered to break bread with friends. When we extend the table and share a meal we get a glimpse of God’s hope for the world. Laura Szczpanek has always given so much of her time and talents to feed her church family. I imagine gathering to share a meal at the church is something you have missed. Take a look at these websites, articles, and videos about United Methodists and food. https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe/umc-topics/our-people/our-united-methodist-table What are your favorite dishes to cook and to share? Is there a dish that makes you think of someone in particular? Maybe that could be something to fix this week while lifting prayers of thanksgiving. Consider sending a few recipes to a friend. Or, call someone up and agree to talk about cooking and food! Try something different today. As you say grace, remember and give thanks. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
I want to send out my reflection for June 22 now, the evening of June 21. Immediately following worship and virtual coffee hour, I received word that my Aunt Lois had passed away. I drove to my parent's house to let my Mom and Dad know personally. Lois was my mom's oldest sister and last living sibling. She lived in San Diego. Her son Brent was with her throughout the night. Even though you know death is coming, it is still difficult to bear when the news of death arrives. This afternoon we shared tears and memories. We sat in silence with the reality of death and then entered into the healing balm of life stories. I am thankful for my Aunt Lois. She was a friend as well as a sister to my mom. She was present in our lives. She laughed and loved, even through the pain of life. When I returned home I read the lectionary text for tomorrow. God seems to give us hope through the Word when we are most in need. My heart was drawn to the last sentence in the Revelation reading: "To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God." A return back to the Garden of Eden. Our end is our beginning when there is finally a deeper understanding of the "what", "why", and "how." I am strengthened knowing that my Aunt Lois's eyes are clearer and stronger and able to see what was previously unseeable. I am also strengthened by your prayers for my Mom and Dad. I know that your love will help them in this time of grieving. Thank you for the comfort your hearts provide. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
Tuesday, we reflected on the deaths of Sarah and Abraham. We stood at the edge of the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites, and we remembered those we love and praised God for their lives. Today, Hebrews reminds us that God sent Jesus to live our human existence, a little lower than the angels. He experienced this life with the pain, confusion, and chaos that comes in a world such as ours. He also knew the joy and celebrations and blessings that living in a community in this world can bring. He suffered, and he died. Jesus was not only divine but also human. He died. He experienced what we all someday will experience, that passage from this life into the next, that transition from earth to heaven. Jesus died so that we could have life now and then. So today, let us stand at the foot of the cross and praise God for Jesus, who died, was buried, and rose to prepare the way for all of us when we come to the end of this life. Let us go to the garden and look upon the stone rolled away from the tomb. Jesus has blessed our lives and our deaths. He has given us life, everlasting. Let us praise him today. Peace, Dean
Daily Lectionary Reading for Year A
Jesus called 12 disciples and named them Apostles. That act alone says a lot about what it means to be the church. Could Jesus have changed the world on his own, without the 12 and others who would follow him? He certainly had the power to heal people and feed crowds. Why did you think he called these twelve? Along the way, he called you to follow him, too. You might have thought to be less than qualified. You might have wondered what you could contribute to the work Jesus was doing. But he called you to the waters of Baptism and gave you his Spirit. Jesus believed then and believes now that you can be an important person to help build the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Even though we are not able to gather in person as a church right now, we are still disciples. Our work of loving, teaching, healing, and advocating for the oppressed does not end. Continue to read scripture with a heart open to what God is saying today. Consider the things you say and do through the lens of Jesus Christ. Build up love. Tear down hate. Serve your neighbor. Remember that you were called by Christ to do this work. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
In yesterday's lectionary reading, Sarah died. Go back and read the compassionate, empathetic response by the Hittites as Abraham seeks a burial place for his wife. Have you ever had to make arrangements at the time of death? It can be a time filled with emotion and exhaustion. In the depth of grief, you are being asked a thousand questions and expected to make a million decisions. What do you remember about that time? Were there some who honored your loss the way that the Hittites honored Abraham's love for Sarah? Today, Abraham dies. "Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people." Both Ishmael and Isaac come together to bury their father. Sometimes these moments bring out the best in a family. And, sometimes the pressure and the pain makes being a family at the time of death difficult. It seems as though Ishmael and Isaac were doing their best to honor their father. They buried him with Sarah in the cave he purchased from the Hittites. There is a flow to these stories of death. A pause in the routine of our daily life. We often stop, remember, honor, and praise God for a loved one. Looking back, you see so often God's hand in that person's life story. You take time to grieve what once was and is no more. During this last year, our family has walked this journey of death. My dad's sisters Pat and Juanita, his brother Dick, and sister-in-law Laurie died. My mom's sister Dorothy died, and her oldest and last sibling Lois is in hospice care at home in San Diego. They represent an entire generation that raised me up. And so, I join all who have come before, and stand at the edge of the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. Join me in this place. Let us think about those who have died. Together, let us stop, remember, honor, and praise God. Tell someone how it feels remembering someone who has died. It is an honor and a privilege to be told those stories. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
Are your dreams more vivid these days? Do you find yourself seeing people you miss and feeling almost certain your dreams are really happening? NPR had an entire show on this phenomenon. Our dreams are a combination of high stress, altered routines, and hopes/fears for the future. One person shared that she had a dream of being on a boat but never being able to get to her destination. How scary! And perhaps reflective of feeling stuck, or watching folks who went on a cruise stranded on the ship with the coronavirus. Someone called me and told me they had a dream about Will. Sometimes I dream of being in worship in the sanctuary again. What are your dreams these days? Isn't Psalm 126 a beautiful text? When the Lord restored our fortunes we were like those who dream. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. I would like to think we will experience that kind of exuberant elation when there is finally a vaccine for the coronavirus. When we can safely hug, and sing, and worship without fear, what a day that will be! A dream come true! Or, can you imagine if the world joins with the thousands of people marching for justice to finally bring about a time when we can all affirm that indeed, black lives do matter? What a day that will be when we make structural and attitudinal changes to honor the lives and experiences and end the violence? If the world can change one heart at a time so that a person with black or brown skin doesn't have to fear for their future, what a day that will be. A dream come true! God is certainly at work. And so should we. If we want an end to the virus we need to stay vigilant. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Honor safe distancing. Think about the good of others. Pray for a cure. If we want to change generations of racism and violence we need to stay vigilant. Demand justice for all who have been hurt. Use your power to lift others up. Listen to experiences other than your own. Make new relationships. Carry a prayer in your pocket and model for all children what it means to be a neighbor. I hope you get time for a deep sleep tonight. And I hope you dream wonderful dreams. And I hope we can work to make the dreams we share come true. Peace, Dean |
REv. Dean N. PrentissI am blessed to be the Pastor at Wesley Park UMC. Find Daily Lectionary Readings Here. Archives
February 2021
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