Presbymom

  Last week we looked at the call from Jesus for us to repent – or you will perish – you will be lost. This week, our scripture centers around Jesus telling parables to Pharisees, tax collectors and sinners parables. A set of three parables- one about a lost sheep, one about a lost coin and now one about a lost son. Listen to the living Word from   Luke 15:1-3 and 11b-32   15  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  2  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3  Then Jesus told them this parable:… “There was a man who had two sons.   12  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’   So he divided his property   between them. 13  “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth   in wild living.   14  After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country,

  Historically, it is hard to pinpoint the exact events referred to by this scripture, but it isn’t hard to imagine Pilate being so murderously cruel or a natural disaster striking unexpectedly. Today’s reading hits very close to home. Jesus has been teaching and some of the listeners are distracted by recent events the slaughter of innocents by a cruel ruler is in the headlines. When that is too much to bear, an earthquake takes more live. Like us, those following Jesus plea to know why. Oh my God, why? Listen to the living word of God from     Luke 13:1-9 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.   2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?   3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.   4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they

  The season of Epiphany is the time we explore the discovery of Christ come into the world, a time when we learn more about who Jesus is in our world, his teachings and his call. Transfiguration Sunday is a pivot point – where we cross a threshold and move our eyes to see Christ in our mess. In Lent we remember Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and facing temptation. We remember Jesus’ love takes on our hate. Today, this transfiguration story reminds us of the truly human and truly divine REALLY in our world, and we are pointed toward the cross. Listen for the living word from Luke 9:28-43a (NIV) 28  About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.  29  As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.  30  Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.  31  They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring t

  2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 (NIV) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  21  God made him who had no sin to be sin   for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  6  As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  2  For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.  3  We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  4  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  5  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  6  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;  7  in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8  through glory and dishonor, bad report and g

  My phone blurts at me at an ungodly hour – I am annoyed. I roll over to make sure my loved ones are okay then fall back to sleep. Today, upon waking the emotions pour in – that I could have the comfort and privilege of assumed safety while others do not rocks me with feelings of guilt and great sadness. That I can be annoyed by my mostly-grown children and worried only about the simple steps in learning to adult is a gift that I appreciate today.   My heart aches for the children. God’s beautiful children are assured God is with us, but what does that look like from a basement turned fallout shelter surrounded by death and wailing? In the valleys that we dig in our worldly power games and the hate we sow between nations, it is too often the children dumped in the middle without voice or recourse.   An inordinate number of the refugees around the world are the children. Those caught in the crossfire of our battles are the children. Children on the cusp of adulthood are among the first