7th Sunday after Easter / Sunday after the Ascension - 05/12/2024

 

Readings for the day

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? 

The gospels, the good news stories about Jesus' life and ministry, mention him talking to and about his disciples.

Some preachers make a really big deal of being disciples, as long as you do what they prescribe.  Pray this way.  Live this way.  Think this way.

Many Episcopalians shy away from the word ‘disciple’ because we prefer to think for ourselves and engage our faith in less prescriptive ways.

Good news, friends.  Disciple, mathētēs in Greek, means ‘learner’ or ‘pupil.’  Disciples are learners, often with allegiance to a particular teacher.  So when we say we are disciples of Jesus the Christ, we follow the teachings of Jesus.  We are also learners, actively thinking, discovering new ways of understanding and applying our faithful learning to our lives and the world we live in.

6th Sunday after Easter - 05/05/2024

Image by Dragan Stanojevic on Pixabay

Readings

In the last 10 days we have celebrated the lives of two members of our Trinity community.  As I talked with Lin’s and Barbara’s friends and family to prepare the funeral services, I heard stories about how they lived their lives.  Stories of kindness and compassion.  Stories of family, of work and integrity, sorrow, play, and delight.  

Reflecting on the lives of these two faithful people reminded me of an interview with a death doula that I heard recently.  Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of a death doula.  It was new to me, too.  

5th Sunday of Easter - 04/28/2024

Readings for the day

Guest Preacher:  Kristy Messler

As Trinity’s Parish Administrator, I am accustomed to wearing many different hats. Sometimes all at the same time! Today is the first time I am putting on my preacher’s hat. It is a gift for me to be here, sharing some Gospel fruit with you.  

I have a print based on today’s Gospel text hanging in my office. It reads, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Remain in me.” It is a reminder for me that as long as I remain connected to my source, abundant life – as I have experienced it – will continue to flow through me and enable me to have an impact on the lives of those around me. 

4th Sunday of Easter - 4/21/24

Readings

SHEPHERD WANTED

Must be skilled in finding green pastures and still water.  Respond quickly to any sign of injury or illness.  Nurturing and attentive to sheep in your care.  Recover strays while maintaining integrity of flock. Keep constant watch for predators and avoid known safety hazards.  Must be willing to sacrifice own safety and life for well-being of sheep.  Generous bonus for returning larger and healthier flock at end of season.

I always thought that being the good shepherd meant that Jesus gets an A+ job rating at shepherding. I learned something new this week. It turns out that the word for ‘good’ is not about good or bad, but instead means something more like ‘true’ or ‘genuine.’  Jesus is the real shepherd of God’s people. 

2nd Sunday of Easter - 4/7/2024

Readings

Happy Day of Resurrection!  Our gospel reading this morning brings us to the evening of the day Mary Magdalene discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead.  Because Mark ends his good news about Jesus with the empty tomb and no post-resurrection encounters with Jesus, we are jumping into John (and a little Luke) for the next few weeks.

These 50 days between Easter and Ascension are called Eastertide.  

Eastertide is a time of transition.  Jesus is Jesus, but he is different after dying and coming back to life again.  His relationship with his followers has changed. Nostalgically, he remains their beloved teacher, although he acts more like a mentor now.  He encourages and coaches them to reflect on their faith, empowers and encourages them in their various gifts, and more overtly prepares them to continue bearing witness to the Good News.

Easter Day - 03/31/2024

Readings for the day

Have you ever witnessed a miracle?

Something that defies rational explanation.  

Something that can only be explained by the presence of the divine.

Something that, either immediately or upon reflection, brings deep and lasting joy and gratitude.

Something like the birth of a baby.

An unexplained healing.

Survival of extreme hardship.  

Miracles lead to a changed perspective, a new lease on life.

When they are happening, though, they feel impossible, disorienting, scary.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday - 0324/2024

Readings for the day

Didn’t we start this service proclaiming Jesus as the King of kings?  Shouting ‘Hosanna!’ and making lots of noise as we processed with waving palm fronds?

How did we get from a triumphal entry into Jerusalem to Jesus tried and convicted, executed and entombed in one service?

Is anyone else feeling a bit of theological and emotional whiplash?

In the gospel we read outside, the people wave palm branches and throw down their cloaks while Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem. At the time, Israel was occupied by Roman forces, who demanded high taxes and ruled with fear of harsh punishments like flogging, breaking limbs, or death by crucifixion.  Jesus’ compassionate teachings about God’s love and forgiveness for all people, no matter their station in life, resonated with the regular people.  Exhausted and oppressed by a brutal and long Roman occupation, they are ready for the long-awaited new ruler of Israel.  The One promised to restore the land of milk and honey to God’s people.