Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Wow. God is so good. God entrusts to us, flawed and imperfect people, grace that has the power to transform the world. We can choose to try to control and contain that grace so that life and all that lives around us seems manageable. Or, we can allow God's grace to shine, resounding far beyond our reach, echoing deep into the night. Perhaps to his amazement, Peter discovered that God's grace was big. Huge. Immense. Colossal. Prodigious. Vast. Towering. Extensive. Massive. Towering. Mountainous. God would not be limited. The Gospel would be the Good News for all the world. Jesus would welcome all into a life of discipleship and love. That's why you are reading this. That's why you are here. That's why we are a church. Because God's grace is that big. God is so good. As a celebration of the ways the Light of Christ has been passed to us, and how we pass the light to others, I invite you to send me a video. Take a short video of you passing a candle from your right to your left. Then, take a photo or a video of you holding the candle. When you see this light on Christmas Eve, remember that God is Brobdingnagian (ok, I'll step away from the Thesaurus). Remember that you are loved and that all are included. Here is the video from Sunday that invites us to share the light. Peace, Dean
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Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
When reading the lessons this morning, I couldn't help but think about all the people I have known whose faith has carried them. Through good times and bad, through suffering and gladness, through uncertainties and the mundane faith in God's love and grace has been the constant. Faith in Christ has been the light that shines through the darkness. Marilyn Knapp is on my mind this morning. Marilyn shared her faith experiences in worship a few weeks ago. Perhaps you are still reflecting on the wisdom of the little push to do the things that are difficult and scary. On November 8, 2019, Marilyn was in a terrible accident. It was the morning after she returned from an overseas mission trip. Her car skidded on the ice and she hit a pole. Marilyn was badly injured. The Wesley Park Chancel Choir and friends surprised her just after Christmas. Here is that video. Now, Marilyn is living at Clark Retirement Community, a United Methodist Senior Living facility. Attached is her picture of Marilyn from last week. :) Give someone a call today. Talk about how your faith has helped you through thick and thin over the years, and pray for those who have modeled what it is like to live with faith in Christ. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers..." I can relate. I am so thankful for you. I thank God that you understand how important it is to protect one another. I am thankful that you are doing what you can to stay connected and to care for your body, mind, and spirit. To say this pandemic has been difficult would be an understatement. And yet, God has chosen you for this time. Your love, generosity, and perseverance is no accident. God has called you over time to follow the Gospel. While our attentiveness to God ebbs and flows, sometimes stronger other times weaker, you still have much to hold onto. You have faith in the way of Christ. You have learned from this one sent by God how to love the other, pay attention to the needs of the hungry, and see the presence of God even in the midst of suffering. The Gospel has taught you to claim your neighbor as a part of your family. I am not surprised by how you have approached these difficulties. I am thankful for your sustaining faith. And I believe that faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ will help us to live fully again. For all who are tired of hateful rhetoric, there is a Word of Love free to all who wish to receive it. For any who feel lost and without a purpose, Jesus offers the way, the truth, and the life. In a world that is unjust and violent, living into the Gospel can show us how to stand up and speak out. For those who are lonely and feel forgotten, there is a song that reminds us, "What a friend we have in Jesus." I am thankful for you. It makes me happy that you are thankful for one another. And it inspires the world to know faith in a love that is bigger than any one of us, and connects all of us, will help us to find our way. Today might be a good day to call someone and let them know you are thankful for their love and faithfulness. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Reading for Year B
Sometimes words and images from the readings jump out. Micah writes, "Now you are walled around with a wall." Sometimes it feels like that these days, doesn't it? 267 days ago we realized the dangers of a highly contagious virus and have tried to stay in our homes as much as possible. "Now you are walled around with a wall." But then Micah introduces to all who feel quarantined and isolated a source of hope. The little town of Bethlehem will bring into the world a savior who will act justly and live compassionately. This one shall be the one of peace. It is good that we are walled off, protecting one another. And, it is good that we are in this season, to ponder and prepare for the one who will show us how to love even in the midst of suffering. Hold fast to what is good. This might be a perfect day to call someone and ask how they are doing "walled around with a wall." What is getting old? What are they discovering that is new? How are they experiencing this season of Advent in this time and place? Be kind to one another. Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Pray. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Well, the lectionary readings are heavy this morning. Read them from beginning to end and you might sense some stress. Death. Bodies being torn apart by birds of prey. Imprisonment. Suffering. Groaning. And that's all before we get to the Book of Revelation, where there are plagues, pestilence, mourning, famine, smoke and fire, fear and torment. These are not the best readings to read aloud by yourself or with the family just before dinner. Yes, God is in there. Striking back against the enemy. Showing compassion for those who have been suffering. Gathering together again the afflicted. Strengthening the weak and tired so they can conquer and plunder. But it's not pretty. It doesn't feel peaceful, or gentle, or light. What do you think of when you read portions of the Bible that are violent, bloody, and vicious? On the one hand, it takes a broader view to put it all into context. Who is God in the grand scheme of things? What is happening in and around God's people over a larger arc? But on the other hand, it can connect us with the parts of our lives and world that are also messy. It can get us in touch with that visceral feeling of "yuckiness." Like, when we see the world in conflict, or the powerful taking advantage of the powerless. It can name our worries and fears when we think about this pandemic. We don't need to become violent. We don't need to act with vengeance. But we can think about the complexity of our lives and this world. There is gentleness, and there is violence. How can we remain faithful to the one who sent us Jesus Christ, the Savior? How can we respond to the hurt in the world with love that transforms all things? Can you see his light shining in the darkness of the readings this morning? Peace, Dean I am thankful for you! In this challenging year, filled with so many adjustments, I am thankful for your love and faith. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services sent out a YouTube video with signs for Thanksgiving in ASL. Maybe you want to learn a few today. And, maybe you want to share what makes you thankful. Send us a note on the Care Connection. Just make sure [email protected] is in your To: address line and let us know how you are giving thanks. Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
Ezekiel 33:7-20 Have you heard the saying, "You are what you eat"? It's true, isn't it? If you eat nothing but yucky food, you're going to feel yucky. If you eat healthy food, more than likely, you're going to feel more healthy. If your diet is mostly candy and carbs and chips and Cokes, you're probably going to be affected. You might be overweight, or sluggish, or have other health issues. If what we eat is hurting us, and the choices we are making are making us sick, it's silly to place the blame anywhere besides back upon our shoulders. You are what you eat is usually pretty accurate. Ezekiel makes this kind of appeal to the people this morning. You have control over your actions. You can choose to be wicked and act in wicked ways. You can choose to be righteous and act righteously. You have a say over how you live your life and relate to the world. If wickedness is your way, then there are consequences. Why would you say that God is unjust if the choices that you make, choices that you can control, which hurt the world and others, have negative results? Of course, life is a bit more complicated. We don't want to simplify or over-generalize. Sometimes poverty and policies that benefit the rich make eating more healthy nearly impossible. Genetics and our health care system also play a role in our overall well-being. Sometimes people who eat healthy are sick. And there are those who have only been taught to hate and hurt others. They have no other point of reference and follow the lead of those before them. Still, Ezekiel knows that God knows our hearts. We cannot pretend to be righteous when we are allowing wickedness to flourish all around us. We can try to justify our actions all we want, but we cannot blame God for the consequences. What are some things you are doing that you know you shouldn't be doing? What are some things you are not doing that you know you should be doing? Peace, Dean We are nearing the end of Lectionary Year A. The Liturgical Calendar follows the story of Christ. Rather than a new year beginning January 1, the church year begins in Advent. The daily readings for Year B begin November 26. Here is the listing of the readings we will soon be following. I hope that reading the daily lectionary helps you stay connected. When we read scripture together, we are connected to one another. It's fun to know that a group of people are thinking about and wrestling with the text and that engagement perhaps that leads to deep and interesting conversation. Daily reading of the scripture also brings us closer to God. We can experience God in the prose, poetry, prophets, Gospels, and the letters. We can have an ongoing conversation with God as we read from the Bible regularly. I encourage you to read and reflect. I think it helps, especially during this time of the pandemic. It also helps for the church to find as many ways to stay connected as we can. We have Facebook, the Care Connection, Zoom, and online worship. We also have a monthly newsletter that was sent out earlier this week. I will attach the newsletter here. It includes an Advent calendar of activities along with the daily lectionary readings for the season. May this newsletter help you stay connected to God and one another. If you would prefer to receive the monthly newsletter electronically rather than in the mail, or if you would like to be sent a newsletter and are not currently on our mailing list, please email your request to [email protected]. May God bless you, keep you, calm you, lead you, and love you as we get ready to close one year and begin another. Peace, Dean
Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A 2 Timothy 2:8-14 United Methodist Bishop Oliveto wrote this week about the hymn, "Now Thank We All Our God." The Bishop reflected that the hymn was written by Martin Rinkard during the 30 Years' War, which was fought between 1618 and 1648. Rinkard was the only clergy left in his town and officiated 50 funerals in a day due to injury and illness. Can you imagine? Maybe the only way we are able to do what seems overwhelming, and to continue on when grief and life seem impossible, is the faith that is named in 2 Timothy. "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him." Consider this hymn once more in the context in which it was written. Reflect upon it this week of Thanksgiving, and in this time of so much suffering. Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills of this world in the next. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven the one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. 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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