The hard sayings of Jesus are hard. This week is one of those hard sayings. Instead of seeing today's lesson as a lesson in giving things up for Jesus, what if we took a hard look at what is holding us back from following Jesus? 

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Philemon 1-21 | Luke 14:25-33

Today's Gospel lesson is an easy one to just say we understand what Jesus is talking about. But if we look harder, we see it is much more than just Jesus telling us about good table manners. 

Proverbs 25:6-7 | Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 | Luke 14:1, 7-14

When we hear Jesus in today's Gospel account, we might get the feeling of wanting to duck and run for cover. We can think the fire Jesus wants to light in the world is a fire of condemnation. But that fire is one that heats us, and it is in the waters of baptism that we are quenched and strengthened.

In today's Gospel Jesus tells a parable about a successful farmer who tears down his barns just to be able to store more of his abundant harvest. He doesn't care about anyone but himself in the parable. It seems that in his rush to store up things for himself he forgot about what really gives us life and meaning in this world. 

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 | Psalm 49:1-12 | Colossians 3:1-11 | Luke 12:13-21

This week’s Gospel reading is full of potential landmines. When I call these famous words of Jesus “landmines,” I’m not saying Jesus intentionally embedded suffering or danger into his disciples’ lives. Ask, Seek, Knock has been used too many times in damaging ways. I think there is a different way of looking at this. 

Genesis 18:20-32 | Psalm 138 | Colossians 2:6-19 | Luke 11:1-13

Genesis 18:1-10a | Colossians 1:15-28 | Luke 10:38-42

July 17th, 2022

Jesus sends out the 72 disciples in today's Gospel lesson. He tells them to bring peace with them and offer it to every house they visit. This is our way in the world, bringing peace to wherever we go. But it isn't our peace we bring, it is Christ's peace. Peace be with you. 

Isaiah 66:10-14 | Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16 | Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 3rd, 2022

Too often the very good things in life get in the way of truly following Jesus. We often think that we have to choose between Jesus and the other good things in life. 

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 | Psalm 16 | Galatians 5:1, 13-25 | Luke 9:51-62

The man in today's Gospel lesson did not wear physical chains (not anymore at least). Those physical chains were replaced by other chains - exclusion - mental illness - demon possession. Jesus broke those chains and set this man free to be who God created him to be. 

Isaiah 65:1-9 | Galatians 3:23-29 | Luke 8:26-39

There are so many things in this life that are unbearable. One of those things is our ideas about God. Sometimes we cling to our ideas so much that instead of worshipping God, we end up worshipping ourselves. 

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 | Psalm 8 | Romans 5:1-5 | John 16:12-15