| How did you do on your last eye exam? Jesus meets a man with a disability (blindness) and – without talking to him – heals him. Was the man surprised by what Jesus did to/for him and what he saw afterward? Perhaps he was surprised… and not necessarily pleasantly! How often do we, conveniently, hang onto our myopia? |
Accompanying Scripture:
1 Samuel 16:1-13; John 9:1-41
| Jesus meets a woman whose life has been anything but ordinary or easy. They have a conversation that is anything but easy or ordinary. She shares that conversation with her neighbors, and nothing is ordinary or easy again. That’s what living water does: makes life extraordinary… and uneasy. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42
| A very smart and curious man, Nicodemus, is in the dark about who Jesus is and what Jesus is teaching. Their conversation is confusing to Nicodemus… and to countless generations since then. My take? Blessed are the ignorant, for they shall become learners and leaders. And… woe to those who know enough to be dangerous. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17
| As we embark on this journey of lent, we begin with this place of wilderness. From this vantage point, we are forced to ask ourselves who are we? Where do we belong? What matters? As tempting as it is to give in to every hunger, every offer of power or fame . . .in these 40 days, we are invited to recenter on the One who calls us Beloved, welcomes us into community, always extends us grace and invites us to do the same for our neighbors. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11
| We live in a goal-oriented culture that wants to have every question answered and to know the cost and end-result of everything before anything is decided. Three of Jesus’ students go on the most puzzling field trip we could imagine and all they’re told is, “Be quiet and listen!” Good advice! |
Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9
| Both readings this week are tough. Moses gives the newly-freed Israelites dozens and dozens of commandments (some are pretty picky) and tells them that their entire future depends on obedience. Jesus makes Moses look soft compared to the requirements he has to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Does he REALLY mean we have to be perfect? |
Accompanying Scripture:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-37
| Jesus told his followers, “You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world.” (Mt. 5) Ever considered what kind of salt? What kind of light? How do you flavor creation and the culture around you? Where do you shine? How does faith – and Faith Lutheran Church – spice up and shed light on the world? Jesus didn’t say, “if” or “maybe.” You ALREADY are! We get to be that. Thanks be to God! |
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20
| Jesus tells his followers that they’re lucky/blessed when they find themselves in trouble. It’s a very blessed/lucky person who can find joy in those times. If you’ve been a friend or needed a friend in times of trouble, you may know that alien sense of joy. Love is always a blessing…especially when it’s need the most. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Micah 6:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12
| Jesus invited his first disciples to “fish for people.” Our culture is better at trolling (attacking) people. Reinhold Neibuhr suggested (in Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic) that people need to be lured – not argued – into righteousness. Jesus did a little cajoling, a little arguing, and a lot of loving people into righteousness. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23
| Two new disciples approach Jesus with a question, “Where?” Instead of answering it with a location fact, Jesus invites them into a relationship. Epiphany (these seven Sundays before Lent starts) is an invitation to “come and see” Jesus by seeing and living with him… and taking a look at where we might need to look at ourselves. |
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42
