Jonathan Chute - "Perfect"

Matthew 5: 38-48. In this week's gospel Jesus continues his teaching in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. When we are

confronted by evil, he tells us to give love in return. To some this sounds like a recipe for victimization.

But Jesus does not want us to let others determine how we will act. Revenge and retaliation are the ways of the

world. But they are not the way of God's kingdom.

Jonathan Chute - "A Higher Law"

Matthew 5: 21-30. This week's gospel continues Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. He offers an important commentary on the

10 commandments, and on God's Law in general. Jesus wants us to honor the spirit of compassion and grace that are

its foundation. Where the Law says "Do not murder," Jesus says "Do not be angry with a brother or sister."

Jonathan Chute - "Be Who You Are"

Matthew 5: 13-16. This week's scripture continues Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. He gathers his followers to teach

them about life in the kingdom of heaven. He wants them to be able to take their part in the story. They are

like salt, an ingredient that makes all the difference. They are light, that cannot be hidden. He does not call

them to take on a new responsibility, but simply to live out what they already are.

Jonathan Chute - "Blessed Are"

Matthew 5: 1-12. The opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount are among some of Jesus' most beloved, beautiful and provocative

teachings. He describes a range of people who are typically not seen as blessed and speaks a word of blessing

on those who face some of life's deepest struggles.

Jonathan Chute - "Called Away"

Matthew 4: 12-23. After the arrest of John the Baptist Jesus leaves his home in Nazareth and begins his ministry. As he travels along

the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he meets two sets of brothers whom he invites to join him. With nothing to go on

besides Jesus' brief invitation, they leave their nets and follow.

Jonathan Chute - "Public Relations"

John 1: 29-42. This week's gospel tells how some of Jesus' first disciples came to follow him. Some of them were already

disciples of John the Baptist. But when John points Jesus out and calls him the Lamb of God, they go to see Jesus.

The small circle is beginning to widen.

Jonathan Chute - "Who Knows?"

Matthew 3: 13-17. It is the Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus. Matthew lets us in on a conversation which takes place between the two

before the actual event. John wants to know why Jesus has come to him in the first place. Shouldn't it be the

other way around? Jesus assures John that this is the right thing at the right time.

John Kwan - "Sometimes the Coffee Stirs You"

Revelation 21: 1-6a. Revelation is a letter, like Galatians and Philippians, written to the churches of the first century. In it, the writer shares what has been revealed to

him in a vision of the risen Lord - that pain and suffering, even death, is not the last word and will ultimately come to an end.

Jonathan Chute - Christmas Reflection, Story and Poem

John 1: 1-14. John 1:1-14 is one of the loveliest passages in all of scripture. Jonathan will share a reflection on the meaning

of Christmas, a story and a Christmas poem. Sunday is the fifth day of Christmas, so it's a chance to point out

that the "five golden rings" of the 12 Days of Christmas are likely not jewelry at all, but "ring pheasants."

Jonathan Chute - "Small Change"

Luke 2: 1-20. In the gospel for Christmas Eve, Luke reminds us that the story takes place in the midst of other world events.

From his throne in Rome, Caesar rules the Empire. But in Bethlehem an entirely different story is taking place.

There at the manger, God enters the world in humility and weakness. At the time hardly anyone knew or noticed.