Sunday Readings: Isaiah 55.1-11; 1 John 5.1-9; Mark 1.7-11 “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.” Mark 7.11 Mark’s gospel, the first to be written, begins with Jesus the adult, God’s beloved Son and servant, one with the Father and Spirit. Baptized Christians share Jesus’ identity. We are God’s beloved, whom […]
Gospel Reflection for January 11, 2015, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3,5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 “The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2.9 Matthew’s stories of Jesus’ birth don’t mention the manger, the swaddling clothes, the shepherds, or angels singing in the
Gospel Reflection for January 4, 2015, Epiphany Read More »
Christmas Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “The angel said, ‘You have nothing to fear. I bring you good news, a great joy to be shared by the whole people. For this day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. Let this be a sign to
Gospel Reflection for December 25, 2014, Christmas/Holy Family Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The girl’s name was Mary.” Luke 1.26-27 In Mary, the Most High will overshadow and dwell
Gospel Reflection for December 21, 2014, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Just as Mary gave birth to Jesus, we are also called to bring forth the love of God in our families and communities. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we can bear witness to this unending love and grace in our daily words and actions. After all, it is our responsibility as believers to
Music and the Gospel: “Tell the World,” Lecrae; 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 61.1-2,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28 “Among you stands one whom you do not know.” John 1.26 John the Baptist refuses to apply people’s expectations of the messiah to himself. He anticipates one greater than he is coming. He testifies to the light. He insists that “Among you stands one whom
Gospel Reflection for December 14, 2014, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Rejoice! There are prophets all around us proclaiming the Good News! Jamie Grace is one of them. As we journey through the third week of Advent, her song challenges us to think about how we can be prophetic voices in our own community. She sings about what this might look like: Key Lines: “So go
Music and the Gospel: “Do Life Big,” Jamie Grace; 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Rituals form around actions, symbols, and stories that are so sacred and so important people want to repeat them and take strength and meaning from them. However, many Christians may grow up taking part in rituals whose full meaning they don’t understand. They may participate with their families in rituals without knowing the stories that
Sunday Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 “One more powerful than I will come after me.” Mark 1.7 Like the prophet Elijah, John the Baptist haunt the wilderness. Like Elijah, who discovered God speaking not in storms and lightning but in silence, the Baptist in the silence of his wilderness life
Gospel Reflection for December 7, 2014, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
As we move into the second week of Advent and light a second purple candle on our Advent wreaths, it can be so easy to slip into the chaos of the Christmas season. This song offers a chance to set aside some time to contemplate the world around us. We can reflect on how we
Music and the Gospel: “Below My Feet,” Mumford & Sons; Second Sunday of Advent Read More »