Readings – Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9,43; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 In ancient Israel about 1900 B.C.E. geologists tell us that the area around Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by an earthquake followed by fire. The earthquake exposed some oil and gas deposits that ignited into a consuming fire. The people of the day, and those…
May the words of my mouth and meditations of all our hearts and minds be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock, and our Redeemer. Hosea’s story is wild: as a prophetic message to the nation of Israel, God instructs Hosea to marry a prostitute and bear children with her, knowing full well that this…
Readings –Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Our parents always told us that “actions speak louder than words”. Ever hear that? “Actions speak louder than words.” Hold that thought. St. Paul in our reading from Colossians wrote — [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church… In him all things hold together…
Examining the Ten Commandments You may feel you are familiar with the Ten Commandments, but are you aware there are two different versions in the Bible? Did you know the prophet Ezekiel in one of his prophecies seems to contradict part of one of the commandments? Did you know when listing the Ten Commandments both…
Readings: Deuteronomy 10:17-21; Psalm 145; Hebrews 11:8-16; Matthew 5:43-48 We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for…
Readings: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:1-14,16-17,20-21; John 17:20-26 St. Paul and Silas, who were living at Lydia’s place, had been out and about, and it seems were returning to her place, the place of prayer. They encountered a slave girl who was a money maker for her owners, telling fortunes for paying customers. It…
Readings: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14: 23-29 In our reading this morning from the Acts of the Apostles we learn of St. Paul and his companion, Silas, leaving the familiar ground, being invited, through a vision, into Greece, onto the European continent. This is a first step out of their comfort…
Exploring Our Lord’s Parables “All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.” Matthew 13 May 25 Session One Luke 8: 4 -15 The Parable of the Sower June 1 Session Two Luke 10: 29-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan June 8 Session…
Readings: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 The crowd said [Jesus], “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. [Jesus responded,] The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me.” Watch what I do! On this Mother’s Day 2022 we find ourselves…
The Book of Judges contains a diverse collection of stories set in the 13th and 12th centuries BCE. In this period, the twelve tribes of Israel formed a very loose confederation. These tribes, along with various Canaanite tribes occupied the inland hill-country of what is Modern Israel. People known as “Philistines” dominated the coastal…