The people of Jesus' time had a lot of ideas about what the Messiah would be like. When Peter says to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Christ." he was saying that he was beginning to understand the way that Jesus was messiah.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 16a – 27-August-23”
Jesus commends Peter saying "flesh and blood have not revealed this to you." Interesting that Jesus himself was revealing God in flesh and blood. Here at the table, these two symbols, the bread and the cup represent the broken flesh and spilled blood that Jesus gave to open the way for us to be right with God. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 16a – 27-August-23”
Who do you think Jesus is? How would you describe him to a friend or a teacher?
[Allow time for answers]
Jesus asked the same question to his disciples, and they came up with a lot of different ideas, just like you.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 16a – 27-August-23”
Jesus said that it's not what goes into our mouths (or doesn't) that changes us for good or ill. It's what comes out of the heart. This is true here at the Table as well. It's not the bread and cup that we take that change us. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 15a – 20-August-23”
Do you know what kinds of food are good for you and what kinds of food aren't as good?. [Let them talk about that for a little]
In Jesus' time people were also concerned about eating right.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 15a – 20-August-23”
The gospel passage for today shows that the grace and presence of God are not meant to be kept for some small group. While the Church has not fully understood or embraced that in its history, it does support the idea that the ministries of the Church are not for the Church alone.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 15a – 20-August-23”
There are times when I wish for big miracles, like walking on water and calming the storm. But, most of the time, I'm looking for "smaller miracles," like God calming the chaos in my life and in my mind or just walking through the next day. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 14a – 13-August-23”
There is an interesting sort of balance we need to find in our life of faith. On the one hand, we know, from stories like our scripture for today, that we are to trust God, even when we're in very difficult situations.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation and Prayer for Proper 14a – 13-August-23”
How many of you know how to swim? [Wait for answers] How do you swim? What do you do when you're swimming? [wait again] So, you're mostly in the water and laying down, moving your arms and legs to stay above the surface, right?… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 14a – 13-August-23”
Can you imagine what it would cost to feed a crowd of 5000? ... even with just bread and fish sticks?
While we can count on God's abundance to provide beyond even our imagining, it's just not good stewardship to put the burden of providing for church programs on miracles.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 13a – 6-Aug-23”