proper 12
The mysterious power of leaven: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-49a
What are we asking for when we pray for the kingdom of heaven to come?
More than enough: John 6:1-21
The church of my youth majored in a miserly view of God’s grace. Its message was grim. Life had no edge, no elegance and no joy, but was only a bitter temporal existence largely limited to preparations for the sweet hereafter. Our bleak church building reflected the theology: it was aptly situated in the Pacific Northwest with its endless days of dreary, overcast weather.
Pray as you can: Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
"I don't know how to do this," I said to the nothingness. The Holy Spirit took it from there.
On God's Case: Luke 11:1-13
While making nursing home and hospital calls one day, I visited several people who were on oxygen. A slim green hose ran from a machine to each person’s nostrils, piping in pure air to make his or her breathing easier. In each instance we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together in preparation for Holy Communion, our hands joined and our voices speaking together. I was struck by the strength with which each of these people prayed. Their bodies were weakened in many ways, yet the prayer flowed vigorously from their lips, as if the prayer as well as the oxygen was helping them breathe.
Chasing Jesus: Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21
We employ human terms to communicate who God is to one another. But God uses not only words, pictures and images, but Jesus, the Word become flesh and dwelling among us. We look for ways to express who God is, and here God is among us in Jesus Christ, feeding, forgiving, healing and reconciling.
The joke is on us: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
"Have you understood all this?" They said yes. God must still be laughing.