The Davidic King who Executes Justice A blessed Advent.  As we begin another church year and the readings emphasize the Christ who comes to his people, today we find ourselves again on Palm Sunday, with Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Paired with our reading from Jeremiah, we can gather, especially, some of the deep meaning of this event.  Let’s spend some time with the prophet first, and then connect the dots with Palm Sunday and Christ’s coming to Jerusalem. Jeremiah is sometimes called the “weeping prophet”.  He lived to see some sad days.  Born around ..read more

  Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. A blessed Thanksgiving Eve to you, as again we come to that national holiday which our church also observes – a day set aside to give thanks to God for his blessings. This year, we are using the readings appointed for a “Harvest Observance”, which certainly have quite a bit to teach us about thankfulness. In our Deuteronomy reading, we see instructions for the people to give a thank offering of the first fruits of the harvest.  There, God reminds the people to be thankful not only for the harvest itself, but for the land that ..read more

  Verbum Dei Manet in Aeternum – one of our favorite Latin phrases around here. Abbreviated:  VDMA. It’s on one of our church banners (one of the red ones). I’ve even seen some Christians who bear it as a tattoo. “The word of the Lord endures forever!” Jesus’ words in Mark 13 speak to us on this last Sunday of the church year, reminding us that “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Last week we heard Jesus prophesy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the tearing down of the temple – that not one stone would be left on another.  This largely c ..read more

 Pentecost 26 Mark 13:1-13 “Saved in the End” You see this fancy temple? It's toast. You see these tall pillars? They're coming down. The Holy Place? Scrap it. The Holy of Holies? First they'll tear it down, then it will become a trash heap, then a shrine to a false god, and then, along with every other once proud and impressive location – everything will be destroyed. Not even one stone left on another. Are you impressed by the things of this world? The Sistine Chapel? The Great Wall of China? Mt. Rushmore? None of it will last. Even the Pyramids, which have stood perhaps the longest ..read more

  On one level, today’s reading is very simple.  Jesus teaches us to beware of the scribes, but commends a poor widow.  These two couldn’t be more opposite.  The wealthy and powerful scribes, probably well known and well regarded, and the poor widow who exists on the fringes of society.  The scribes made a show of their wealth, their status, and even their religion.  But they are not truly righteous.  It’s all a big show.  When no one is looking, they take advantage of the weak, and devour even the houses of widows, making their profits and greedy gain ..read more

  The readings for All Saints day remind us, in various ways, of our identity as the people of God.  Even though we are all sinners, yet we are, indeed, all saints.  Blessed by God, as Jesus puts it, so poetically, in the Beatitudes.  We are those who have washed our robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, as John saw the picture of the church in his vision.  But that same apostle John also wrote the words of our Epistle reading today- which reminds us that we are children of God.  Let’s focus on this theme this morning. See what kind of love the Fat ..read more

  This Reformation Day we take a closer look at the appointed Psalm for the day, Psalm 46.  “God is our refuge and strength.” “The God of Jacob is our fortress.”  These words in particular inspired Martin Luther to write his great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”  The hymn is a sort of paraphrase of Psalm 46, and a profound sermon in its own right. God is our refuge and strength,     a very present help in trouble. A refuge is a place where you go when the going gets tough.  That’s our God! A place of safety in a time of d ..read more

  Today's Gospel reading follows immediately after last week's, when Jesus lovingly tried to call the rich young man to repentance. “If you want to enter the kingdom, go sell everything you have” and the man went away sad, for he was very rich. And now, Jesus comments on the incident, and on the broader problem of those with great riches entering the kingdom. And his disciples are amazed. Why were they amazed by this? Perhaps because then, like now, we look at those with wealth and riches in a certain light. We see wealth and riches as a mark of success and perhaps even a sign of God's ..read more

  One of those little aphorisms they taught us at seminary was something like this, “ministry happens in the interruptions.”  In other words, don’t be surprised when the most important things you do to serve people as a pastor are unplanned, and not part of the “normal” routines, not something that you think is important or necessary, but something that happens when some need arises or some question needs an answer.  It’s part of the reason I like to keep my office door open as much as possible – I’ve actually learned to appreciate the “interruptions.” Well, today, as Jesus is ..read more

  The Risen Christ’s Agenda Christ is risen!  (He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!) In this Easter season, we of course celebrate Christ’s victory over sin, devil and death.  That Jesus died and Jesus rose is of paramount importance for us, for our faith, and for our future. But simply being alive isn’t all.  Our risen Lord has quite an agenda, and our reading from Luke’s Gospel today shows us a risen Christ who is still very busy doing things for his people, making promises and giving gifts.  Let’s take a closer look. For starters, if today’s reading reminds you of ..read more