The odd thing, often missed, about the story of "the Good Samaritan" is that it's not a story us helping out someone in need. It's about us, in our time of need being helped by someone we not only don't expect, but don't very much like.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation Proper C10 – for 13-Jul-25”
Why do we give? Some might say that we give because it makes us feel good. Others might say that it's enlightened care for others. Some might say that we give because we have and they don't. There are a lot of answers to the question, especially if we're honest.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper C9 – 6-Jul-25”
Have you ever heard the word "ambassador"? Do you know what it means? Usually, an ambassador is a person who is chosen to represent a country while living in another country. When I say represent, I mean that, in many ways, the people of the country where the ambassador lives think of them as an example of how the people in the country the ambassador represents think and act.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper C9 – 6-Jul-25”
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In the gospel story for today, Jesus sends out the 72. I was a time where great signs were done and great power was shown. Yet Jesus warns not to rejoice in the power, but to rejoice that their names were written in heaven.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper C9 – 6-Jul-25”
Have you ever played the game "Follow the Leader?"
I have to admit that I wasn't very good at it. Any time the leader did something that needed speed or balance, I usually couldn't do it.
Jesus was talking about another kind of "Follow the Leader" in our story for today.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper C8 – 29-Jun-25”
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Jesus has some pretty harsh words today for people who intend to follow him. It's going to be hard at times and it will take your full attention and commitment.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper C8 – 29-Jun-25”
To be a Christian is simple to describe, but not easy to do. It takes a singular devotion of our time, our abilities, and our resources to see to it that the poor are helped, the hungry are fed, the suffering are comforted, those who are sick and in prison are visited, and the systems of this world that seek to keep things that way are challenged.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper C8 – 29-Jun-25”
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Jesus tells the man whom the demons had plagued that he should "Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you." Most of us won't be recovered from demons today, but many of us will gain an edge on some particular sinfulness that is bothering us.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper C7 – 22-Jun-25”
The folks at the animal shelter didn't know what to do about this dog. He was mean. They were certain that his former owners had hurt him and so he treated every human being as though they were enemies.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper C7 – 22-Jun-25”
Whatever the demons that had wrecked the life of the young man whom Jesus encountered were, Jesus was able to remove their influence from him and restore him to health and stability.
I won't say that Jesus had an easier job, but the demons we face today are scourges like poverty and homelessness, systems of oppression so embedded into our institutions that we sometimes think "That's just the way things are."… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper C7 – 22-Jun-25”