February 9 | Luke 5:1-11 | Homemaking Jesus calls his disciples to a life that leaves their temporary home to help go and build a new one. There is so much in this text: A great teaching moment, a great catch of fish, great doubt, and a great line, “now you will fish for people.” Studying this test will help us see that we make our home by walking and following Jesus.

February 2 | Luke 4:21-30 | Hometown What Jesus does in the synagogue is too much. The people cannot handle it. It is so off-putting they riot against Jesus to hurl him off a cliff which leads Jesus to declare, “No prophet is accepted in a prophet’s hometown.” This scripture is the underbelly of what it looks like to refuse to think deeply about the theology of home.

January 26 | Luke 4:14-21 | Home Free In one of the most provocative teachings in all the gospels, Jesus stands and reads from Isaiah in the middle of a worship service. People are floored by what he says and even what he does not say. This singular moment defines his ministry better than any other text in the gospels and it is built around the fact that Jesus is ready to set people free as well as become the fulfillment of one of Israel’s most important prophecies.

January 12 | Luke 3:21-22 | Homebody When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and God said, “This is my Beloved.” Henri Nouwen believes this is the same message God says to us at our baptism. Our baptism sets a trajectory and tone for the deep, deep truth of who we are in Christ: A beloved child of God. By claiming this beloved-ness, we are creating a home from within. When we’re baptized, we are welcoming Christ into our inner lives.

Comfort in Anxiety - Luke 2:41-52 - Even Jesus's parents were anxious, but the community of faith can support parents in the holy task of raising kids in the knowledge and grace of God's favor and love.

Christmas Eve is the ultimate promise of comfort. Our King of Kings and Prince of Peace is here. His love will cover the sins of the world. His life will be an example to follow. We are no longer alone and no longer have to be afraid. We’re given by God tidings of comfort and it’s bound in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Mary’s song is the gospel before it unfolds. She visits her cousin Elizabeth and announces in song that she will forever magnify the Lord because of this miracle. During her pregnancy, she predicted the gospel before it unfolded. Her words still ring true for us today and lead us into worship.

Mary’s is comforted by an angel of the Lord telling her she will bear a son. She’s afraid at first but then internalizes the depth of what is being asked of her and finds deep in her soul . . . joy. The joy she has for the role she’s asked to play brings comfort to us all.

-Rev. Barrett Owen