Jesus says, in our gospel story for today, that it is not what goes into a person, but what comes out of the heart that purifies or defiles you. So, when we take the bread and the cup in communion, it is not a rite of purification. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B17 – 01-Sep-24”
Have you ever had one of your parents say to you, "Don't put that in your mouth!"? [wait for answers]
Well, first of all, let me say that they were right and you shouldn't do put some things in your mouth.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 17B – 01-Sep-24”
Following Jesus is not easy and it's usually not intuitive either. We have to listen to God's Spirit very carefully to understand what we are really called to do. There are some parts of it that are easy to understand (and yet still take a lot of effort to do well:)
The scriptures are clear that we are to represent the love of God that we know through Jesus by loving others.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 16B – 25-Aug-24”
Have you ever heard something that's really hard to understand? [Wait for answers.]
Jesus was talking to his disciples, and he said some things that not only confused them, but some of them found them so hard to understand that they stopped following him.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 16B – 25-Aug-24”
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that the way of Jesus is not supposed to be easy. At the best of times, Jesus will challenge our assumptions and draw us into places where we will learn and grow.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 16B – 25-Aug-24”
Jesus talks about how he, and those who take his mission within them, give life to the world. How do we do that? Well, one way is to teach people about Jesus, about what he said and did and what that means for us today.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 15b – 18-Aug-24”
What would it be like to live forever? How do you think it would feel? Would you like it? [wait for answers]
Jesus says, in our gospel reading for today, that those who follow him will live forever.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 15B – 18-Aug-24”
Jesus describes himself as like the manna that fed the Hebrews in the desert, except that those who partake of him will not die. We don't know how the Lord is present at this and every other table where the bread and the cup are given and taken but we do know that the Lord is present.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 15b – 18-Aug-24”
When we hear Jesus say, "I am the bread of life." we understand it as a metaphor. We know that knowing and following Jesus bring substance and helps us find purpose in life. But there are people in this world, in our nation, in our cities, that need actual bread to eat.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 14b – 11-Aug-24”
In today's story from the gospel, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will live forever." What do we need in order to stay alive? [wait for answers]
That's right. To stay alive we need food and a safe place to stay.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 14B – 11-Aug-24”