The time has come.
With these words, the Gospel-writer Mark gives us Jesus’ first recorded words in the Bible:
“The time has been fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the good news.”
(more…)Archive for January, 2021
Epiphany 3, January 24, 2021
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Epiphany 2, January 17, 2021
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Lots of looking and finding and seeing in today’s Gospel reading. In the weeks after Christmas during this season of Epiphany we see how Jesus’ love was revealed – a love ultimately displayed on the cross but revealed along the way in his ministry. All the looking and finding and seeing is part of Jesus being made known to others as Rabbi or Teacher – the Messiah – the Son of God. There is lots of this epiphany discovery going on in this reading from the Gospel of John. “We have found him!” some said to each other after they met Jesus and heard his call.
(more…)Epiphany 1, January 10
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Our Gospel reading today tells the story of the Baptism of Jesus. It’s an important event in the life of Christ. There are not many stories about Jesus that are told by all four Gospel writers, but this one is. So it must be important! But the importance of this story, the message of this story, the good news of this story really has nothing to do with Jesus being baptized.
(more…)Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020
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The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And the shepherds said, “Let’s go see.”
On the night Jesus was born, angels sent some Bethlehem shepherds on a Christmas hunt! They are searching for one thing. A Savior. The Christ. Whatever that might mean for them. And when they find the baby lying in a manger, they will have found what they are looking for.
(more…)Christmas 2, January 3, 2021
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Our Gospel for today begins in the beginning. Literally. Those are the first words of our Gospel. “In the beginning.” A good text for the first Sunday in a new year, don’t you think? We are at the beginning!
(more…)Christmas 1, December 27, 2020
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There is someone I love very dearly who has asked me . . . repeatedly . . . to stop by for an important meeting. It’s to plan her funeral. Oh I know she has it all planned and I know most of the details. But she wants to talk it through and to be honest, I’ve been avoiding the conversation. She is a bit more ready than I am.
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