Pentecost

Readings – Numbers 21: 4-9; Psalm 107: 1-3,17-22; Ephesians 2: 1-10; John 3: 14-21 Today’s reading from Numbers 21 is a challenge. The Egypt-fleeing tribes of Hebrews were thoroughly discouraged.  Aaron, their high priest, had died.  The kings of Edom and Arad had rejected Moses’ request for travel through their kingdoms.  And they were tired…

Readings – Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 This morning’s reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew is where we begin today.  It is immediately recognized as the Sermon on the Mount.  St. Luke has a similar passage called the Sermon on the Plain.  Scholars tell us that both texts are…

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; Psalm 126; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28 WWJD.  What do those letters signify?  Not sure when the bracelets were popular, perhaps in the 1980’s.   “What Would Jesus Do?” is what I think St. Paul wrote about in I Thessalonians. “Pray without ceasing” is to be aware of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit,…

Readings – Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Our God is the God of second chances, and third chances and beyond.  Just think of the two saints highlighted in our readings today, St. Peter and St. Paul.  Peter denied knowing Jesus three times; Paul pursued followers of Jesus to bring them before the…

Readings: II Kings 2: 1-12; Psalm 50: 1-6; II Corinthians 4: 3-6; Mark 9: 2-9 On the last Sunday after the Epiphany, we always read the text of the Transfiguration found in the Gospels according to Mark, Luke and Matthew.  The Transfiguration is also celebrated annually on the sixth of August.  It is celebrated twice…