Jesus talks a lot about hidden treasures in the passages for today, things of surprising value concealed so they aren't obvious. I think the spiritual practice of giving an offering is like that. On the surface, it's part of supporting the Church and the work of God in our world.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 12a – 26-July-26”
Our job as Christians is not to determine the worthiness of those to whom we render aid. Just like those weeds and wheat in the parable. We really don't know what will become good in time and that's not the point anyway.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 11a – 19-July-26”
Sometimes we treat that soil where "the cares and concerns of the world" don't allow the seed to be nurtured in the way it should be with a bit of distain. This is true even though we recognize times when the cares and concerns of this world occupy our own minds.… Read the rest “Office Meditation for Proper 10a – 12-July-26”
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." As weary as we are, we can all think of other folks whose burdens are heavier and who've had to carry them longer than we have.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 9a – 5-July-26”
In the Old Testament reading for today, we come to the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac. We're not going to be called to that kind of obedience, but we are called to be generous in our giving so that the needs of others can be met.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 8a – 28-June-26”
The prophet Jeremiah was feeling alone because it seemed as though no one was standing with him. It seemed everyone was speaking evil about him. Yet he was the same one who went on to stand before and demand justice for the oppressed for others, to remind them that they all were called to act in mercy and kindness toward others, especially towards those most likely to be overlooked and forgotten.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 7a – 21-June-26”
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This is much like the world around us today. People want something that they can trust, something without hidden and ulterior motives.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 6a – 14-June-26”
Throughout the history of Israel, prophets would remind them that Abraham was a stranger and wanderer to remind them of their responsibility to extend hospitality to others who were strangers and wanderers among them, not simply to tolerate people who lived among them, but to welcome and embrace them, giving them the care and concern they would want extended to them.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 5a – 7-Jun-26”
Many of the words in our scripture for today are what they call "imperative." That means that Jesus is telling us to "go" and "disciple" and "baptize." We can understand "go" and "baptize," but what does it mean to "disciple" others?… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Trinity A – 31-May-26”
Sometimes one event can be the start of something amazing. It happened with the Church and the coming of God's Sprit. It can also happen when we, as individuals or as a congregation, start living out the same acts of giving and care that happened in the early church.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation and Prayer for Pentecost-a 24-May-26”