Nathan Meckley shares that when we follow the story of Jesus, we take hold of a different hope, a different revolution that doesn't arrive through power and might, but through the paradox of strength through weakness, through vulnerability, hardship, pain, loss, and yes, the surprise of resurrection — the love which cannot die.

Nathan Meckley shared a message about hunger and the MLK Jr quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.” Right now, in the U.S., there is more than enough food to feed everyone. People go hungry not because of scarcity, but because human practices and policies designed and implemented by human beings go unchallenged and unchanged.

Nathan Meckley shares a message about comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. While offering comfort is usually welcomed, afflicting the comfortable can be dangerous and costly as seen in the example of Jesus. Yet we are still invited to embrace this calling fully.

Image: Dooley (right) and Hennessy, by E. W. Kemble (1900), created by Finley Peter Dunne

Nathan Meckley shared a message he title: “Nathan's Random Thoughts on Showing Up in Spiritual Practice; Hope in Spiritual Practice, Revisited.” Because at this time in the world, and in many of our lives, don't we just need to always revisit what can possibly give us hope?

Nathan Meckley shares the story of Esther, Malachi and Haman concluding with the message that we may not choose the time in which we live, but we do discern how we live and who we will be.

David reads from Ezekiel and reflected on prophesy, “Son of Man,” and the early Quakers prophesying in a time of oppression. In silence, we listen for the divine impulse not knowing who will speak, only that the message matters more than the person.

Leslea Logan shared how hearing Sweet Honey in the Rock sing “Made for the time I’m in” opened a spiritual shift that became a God-sent message to her heart and spirit to share with others, that it is no accident that we are here at this time to face this crisis as God's hands and feet.

Susanna Ballard shared a message about grief and resilience and having the courage, humility, and faith to do that one thing, whatever it is, our "next right thing."

Nathan Meckley read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and spoke about how, according to one scholar, the Aramaic translation of “Blessed” could have meant “ripe.” Instead of bestowing from on high, Jesus is calling it as it is and telling his poor and oppressed listeners, “You are the ones who are most ready for what God is doing.”

Nathan Meckley read from John 15:12-14 and gave a message about how the reenactment of the ancient story is happening right now. This is showing us Emmanuel, God, with us, here and now. The Passion is playing out in real time.

Photo by Nathan Maduta on Unsplash