ASLC Podcast

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for all the world.

Scripture Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; John 3:1-7

Today's gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.

Scripture Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

Scripture Readings: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; Matthew 17:1-9 

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

Scripture Readings: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; Matthew 17:1-9 

In today’s reading from Deuteronomy we are called to choose life by loving and obeying God. Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten Commandments. Jesus’ instructions to the crowd reveal a pattern of behavior that honors both God and the neighbor, resulting in life and health for the whole community. We too are invited to embrace these commandments, not out of fear of retribution, but because God has promised that to do so means life for us.

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:21-37

For Jesus, salt and light came out of a long tradition of biblical teaching: salt and light were images for the law of God. Salt and light must take us back to the fullness of the law and the prophets, and the fullness of Jesus’ radical teaching in this Sermon on the Mount. The prophets plead for fullness of life: freedom from oppression, bread for the hungry, homes for those who have none, clothing for the naked. Is this not what it means to be the salt of the earth, to keep this prophetic word alive in the midst of our world? If we lose this vision, if we give in to other values, if we forget God’s longing for justice, our salt has lost its taste. 

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; Matthew 5:13-20

For Jesus, salt and light came out of a long tradition of biblical teaching: salt and light were images for the law of God. Salt and light must take us back to the fullness of the law and the prophets, and the fullness of Jesus’ radical teaching in this Sermon on the Mount. The prophets plead for fullness of life: freedom from oppression, bread for the hungry, homes for those who have none, clothing for the naked. Is this not what it means to be the salt of the earth, to keep this prophetic word alive in the midst of our world? If we lose this vision, if we give in to other values, if we forget God’s longing for justice, our salt has lost its taste. 

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10; Matthew 5:13-20

In the days after the Epiphany of Our Lord we commemorate not only Paul’s seeing the light but his saintly effort thereafter at being the light. Having our eyes opened by the Spirit of God in holy baptism, having been enlightened by the word read and proclaimed in the assembly, and having regained our strength in the Lord’s supper, we too are converted turned again to follow in God’s way.

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; Matthew 4:12-23

n the days after the Epiphany of Our Lord we commemorate not only Paul’s seeing the light but his saintly effort thereafter at being the light. Having our eyes opened by the Spirit of God in holy baptism, having been enlightened by the word read and proclaimed in the assembly, and having regained our strength in the Lord’s supper, we too are converted—turned again to follow in God’s way.

Scripture Readings: Psalm 67; Galatians 1:11-24; Acts 9:1-22

Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; Matthew 4:12-23