Thursday, January 8, 2009
Remember your baptism
The United Methodist Worship site offers A New Service of Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant.
A Voice from Heaven, Reflection on Mark 1:9-11
Read Genesis 1:1-2. In the beginning--the earth was a formless void, the world was a chaotic ocean. God spoke.
Surely, Mark was familiar with this passage. In the beginning of Jesus' public life, he comes to the wilderness, a formless place away from the city where Herod presided. He comes to this place during a time in which his world was chaotic, a world that seemed to be ruled by Caesar.
As Jesus came out of the water, God's Spirit descends on him. God speaks, "You are my Son."
Questions: In Mark's gospel, did John know that Jesus was the Christ? In Mark's gospel, did anyone other than Jesus hear this voice?
Surely, Mark was familiar with this passage. In the beginning of Jesus' public life, he comes to the wilderness, a formless place away from the city where Herod presided. He comes to this place during a time in which his world was chaotic, a world that seemed to be ruled by Caesar.
As Jesus came out of the water, God's Spirit descends on him. God speaks, "You are my Son."
Questions: In Mark's gospel, did John know that Jesus was the Christ? In Mark's gospel, did anyone other than Jesus hear this voice?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
John the baptizer, Reflection on Mark 1:4-8
Open your prayer today with Psalm 29:1-2
In Mark, we read how John was attracting a large audience as he preached in the wilderness. People from throughout the countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were were coming to hear him.
(All the people? Non-Jews, too? )
They came because they wanted a new life. They wanted to be forgiven for their sins.
As their ancestors had crossed the Jordan into their new life, they entered this river for their new beginning.
Yet, John was not their goal, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me."
Lectio Divina: Mark 1:7-8
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.The lectionary this week gives us two texts that discuss the baptism of Jesus by John.2Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
In Mark, we read how John was attracting a large audience as he preached in the wilderness. People from throughout the countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were were coming to hear him.
(All the people? Non-Jews, too? )
They came because they wanted a new life. They wanted to be forgiven for their sins.
As their ancestors had crossed the Jordan into their new life, they entered this river for their new beginning.
Yet, John was not their goal, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me."
Lectio Divina: Mark 1:7-8
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
An Ideal Ruler, Reflection on Psalm 72:1-2, 10-14
On this day in the Christian calendar, we celebrate Epiphany.
The presence of God is revealed. God's light draws us to Christ, and radiates in us and through us.
As we think about Christ as the perfect leader, we can also think about how us humans are supposed to do our leading. Look at Psalm 72.
A leader is supposed to judge with righteousness, to judge the poor with justice. Keep reading.
A leader is supposed to care for the needy, the poor, and those without a helper. A leader is supposed to redeem the the weak and the needy from oppression and violence.
Consider working some more on your New Year's Resolutions.
The presence of God is revealed. God's light draws us to Christ, and radiates in us and through us.
As we think about Christ as the perfect leader, we can also think about how us humans are supposed to do our leading. Look at Psalm 72.
A leader is supposed to judge with righteousness, to judge the poor with justice. Keep reading.
A leader is supposed to care for the needy, the poor, and those without a helper. A leader is supposed to redeem the the weak and the needy from oppression and violence.
Consider working some more on your New Year's Resolutions.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Arise and Shine, Reflection on Isaiah 60:1-22
Isaiah is speaking to people who have known defeat and desolation: Arise and shine for your light has come.
We're reading these words as we are still reeling from the economic shocks that have hit our world. We read them as we contemplate the continuing violence among peoples and nations.
Arise and shine for your light has come.
How are we to believe in this great reversal? How do we recognize God's power that has come into our lives? And how do we transmit that great power?
Isaiah explained that when God shares wealth and power, there's a reason: Nations shall come to your light. They all gather together and come to you.
We're reading these words as we are still reeling from the economic shocks that have hit our world. We read them as we contemplate the continuing violence among peoples and nations.
Arise and shine for your light has come.
How are we to believe in this great reversal? How do we recognize God's power that has come into our lives? And how do we transmit that great power?
Isaiah explained that when God shares wealth and power, there's a reason: Nations shall come to your light. They all gather together and come to you.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
For the Sake of You Gentiles, Reflection on Ephesians 3:1-12
Epiphany on the Christian calendar is celebrated on January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas. The term, epiphany, means recognition.
For us, epiphany is demonstrated by the wise men guided by the star as they travel toward Bethlehem. There they, outsiders that they are, recognize the new King. The old king can't find the child by himself. Refer to Matthew 2:1-12 for details.
So, epiphany is the occasion for us to remember that outsiders recognized the Christ child.
Paul says to the Ephesians, and through them to us: People that we religious types did not once think should be included, well, I've been sent to tell you that they, too, are indeed included. They share in the inheritance we claim, they are family; the good news is for them as well as for us.
Lectio Divina: Ephesians 3:8-12
For us, epiphany is demonstrated by the wise men guided by the star as they travel toward Bethlehem. There they, outsiders that they are, recognize the new King. The old king can't find the child by himself. Refer to Matthew 2:1-12 for details.
So, epiphany is the occasion for us to remember that outsiders recognized the Christ child.
Paul says to the Ephesians, and through them to us: People that we religious types did not once think should be included, well, I've been sent to tell you that they, too, are indeed included. They share in the inheritance we claim, they are family; the good news is for them as well as for us.
Lectio Divina: Ephesians 3:8-12
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Journey of the Magi, Reflection on Matthew 2:1-12
T. S. Eliot wrote the poem The Journey of the Magi about his own journey toward faith.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 2:11-12
Lectio Divina: Matthew 2:11-12
Friday, January 2, 2009
What I'm Reading
Here's an excerpt from The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III:
Briefly, the Eastern monasteries organized to protest and escape from the materialism of the Roman world and the corruption of the Church; the Celtic monasteries organized to penetrate the pagan world and to extend the church.He is suggesting that our churches might consider the Celtic monastery goals when designing our modern-day evangelism efforts.
Links, Reflection on Ephesians 1:3-11
God chose us,
God forgives us.
And God let us in on the plan--to be gathered together, for everything on earth gathered up.
We have been adopted through Jesus Christ.
God's wisdom is set forth in Jesus Christ.
In Christ, we have obtained an inheritance.
We who were the first to set our hope on Christ live for the praise of his glory.
These promises remind us that we are not alone. And they remind us that we should think of alone in two ways.
Lectio Divina: Psalm 147:12-20.
God forgives us.
And God let us in on the plan--to be gathered together, for everything on earth gathered up.
We have been adopted through Jesus Christ.
God's wisdom is set forth in Jesus Christ.
In Christ, we have obtained an inheritance.
We who were the first to set our hope on Christ live for the praise of his glory.
These promises remind us that we are not alone. And they remind us that we should think of alone in two ways.
- We are not alone because God is and has always been and always will be with us.
- We can't go it alone because God intends for us to be a people, to be bound together in love and responsibility.
Lectio Divina: Psalm 147:12-20.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Something to Consider when Making Your Resolutions, Reflecting on Matthew 25:31-46
Before the American election last fall, a group of Christians founded a PAC they named Matthew 25 Network. Its stated purpose: to elect and promote candidates who share our values through grassroots mobilization, raising our voices in the media, and paid advertising.
It is interesting to compare what the crucial issues are to the different Christian groups discussing politics.
Another point: Many contemporary Christians do not spend much time discussing judgment. Matthew is writing something scary here. "You help the poor or you'll end up in hell."
Which were you today--a sheep or a goat?
Lectio Divina: Matthew 25:37-40
It is interesting to compare what the crucial issues are to the different Christian groups discussing politics.
Another point: Many contemporary Christians do not spend much time discussing judgment. Matthew is writing something scary here. "You help the poor or you'll end up in hell."
Which were you today--a sheep or a goat?
Lectio Divina: Matthew 25:37-40
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