The prophet Joel speaks of both trouble and hope for the people of Israel. When a plague of locusts descends and nothing is left, Joel implores them to rend more than there clothes, but to rend or open their hearts to the ways of God.

"I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." What a beautiful promise. This is the world to which we are all looking. This is the world for which we are all working.

Jeremiah 31:27-34

My dad used to always encourage me to "grow where your planted," which meant do not wait for the perfect setting in life to become who God calls you to become. This scripture encourage the people in exile to grow where they have been planted.

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday. God's grace and mercy – on which the sacrament of communion is grounded – are the foundation for our lives – as individuals and as a world-wide community. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Martha was so busy with her social obligations. She was being a good host. But Mary wanted to know and understand Jesus' teachings. Sometimes, we have to slow down and listen. Right relationships can only happen when we have developed our own sense of inner relationship with Christ. Luke 10:38-42

The parable of the Good Samaritan is not just a nice story. It is Jesus answer to an important question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus prioritizes love of God and love of neighbor as most important. Then he completely redefines neighbor to include even our enemies.

Faith gives us the courage to build community. Community is the ultimate goal of faith. The fullest expression of our faith takes place when we are in community, supporting, caring for, and uplifting one another. Galatians 6:1-16

The story of the Good Samaritan is known even in the secular world. Sometimes we see it as a story about the need to stop when we see someone with a flat tire or buy lunch for someone in need. But the story goes beyond that. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews that Jesus was preaching to. Loving our neighbor means loving without exception, to all, even those whom we despise.