Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
The tomb is empty- how can this be? May the good news of this story be that no matter how you arrive this Easter morning—whether you are steeped in grief, stunned in disbelief, or running in the direction of hope—resurrection is for you. This story is for you.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 118, Luke 24:1-12
The crowds grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus, and their righteous indignation isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression, and yet, Jesus offers mercy. That mercy then begets more mercy as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some. (Sanctified Art, www.sanctifiedart.org)
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 32, Luke 19:1-10
Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of this parable is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good Shepherd is by our side. (Sanctified Art, www.sanctifiedart.org)
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 23, Luke 15:1-7
The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins. (From Sanctified Art, www.sanctifiedart.org).
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 13, Luke 13:1-9
The story of Mary and Martha is often painted as a story where one does right and one does wrong. We know that life is often more complicated than that. We know that faith is embodied through being present and taking action—and everything in between. Knowing this, like Mary and Martha, let us draw near to God. Let us be honest about our lives, our hopes, and our mistakes. For even in our messy middle, God meets us with grace. (from Sanctified Art, call to confession for Lent 2, www.sanctifiedart.org)
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 84, Luke 10:38-42
This parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the lawyer who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we label as “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors. – Sanctified Art. Cover image Neighbors by Steve Prince. Ink on Paper. www.sanctifiedart.org
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 146, Luke 10:25-37
On Transfiguration Sunday, we get a glimpse of Jesus divine and it is both comforting and terrifying. In worship, we show up to encounter God in the water, in the word, at the table and in one another. May we wake up to God’s liberating light which shimmers in all people, places and beings.
Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, Luke 9:28-36
Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 45:3-11, 15 , Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40, Luke 6:27-38
Our scripture readings today discuss the importance of being rooted in love and grounded in God’s beloved community. Blessing comes not from having everything all together but from being in relationship with one another especially in times of struggle and pain. Together we remember how to trust God through anxious times.
Accompanying Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, Luke 6:17-26
Today’s readings remind us we are called to speak God’s love and embody God’s love where we are as we are. We know as we do these things – we are imperfect and wobbly at best. Sometimes speaking a word of love feels harsh and challenging, a mirror we do not want to look at. And yet, God promises to meet us where we are and equip us with what we need.
Accompanying Scripture:
Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30
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