Easter 3 B Luke 24:36-48

The road to Emmaus is one of my favorite passages. There is something so refreshing about Jesus showing up while someone is traveling down a lonely road. The two travellers accuse Jesus of being clueless, but they are the ones who are clueless. I love the way Jesus tells the story without revealing who he is until they sit at the table. And thanks to Luke, wow, what an easy message to preach! Jesus reveals himself at the Table. And he reveals himself at our Tables over and over and over again. The painting to the side was in my house growing up and has always spoken to me. I always pictured myself walking down the road. But of course, I would have recognized Jesus (this is my arrogant childhood self talking). Sadly, I realize as an adult I don't recognize Jesus as often as I should. Usually he is beaten and bruised and it hurts to look upon his wounds.

Lent 4B Love Darkness? Love light?

Lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, Moses saved the people from the bites of snakes. All they had to do was look up to his snake rather than focusing on the snakes around them.

What a pictures that Jesus draws when he speaks, "So must the son of man be lifted up."

Look at the cross. Don't look at the snakes crawling around you. Especially the ones tempting you into sin.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan 18-25, 2009

The world council of churches has proclaimed this a week of prayer for Christian unity.

Ecumenism "refers to initiatives aimed at greater religious unity or cooperation. In its broadest sense, this unity or cooperation may refer to a worldwide religious unity; by the advocation of a greater sense of shared spirituality across the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. "(http.en.wikepedia.org/wiki/Ecumenism)

Jesus prayed in John 17 "that they may be one."

Let us be one. Let's quit arguing over nonessentials and work for peace and love throughout the world.

There is only one God. This God loves us all. Let us love another as God loves us.

Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-4 Year B

Today my family & I delivered groceries, something we do once a month with the local Catholic worker house. It is a chaotic sort of crazy event, esp. the Christmas delivery. About 30 people fill over 200 bags of groceries & then we divide up and deliver them all over the city.

We are given lists of people who have requested food. Today we approaced a door that had a padlock on the outside. The mail was overflowing from the mailbox. Obviously there was no one home. What to do? The next delivery was a duplex. I knocked on the wrong door. "They are over there." She pointed. Four tiny children ran outside, one a 3 year old boy in only a shirt & underwear. It was 38oF. I asked her if she needed food. She said yes. We brought the bags we had left.

The grateful thank yous from the children break my heart. Last month some kids came screaming to the door when we delivered, so glad to see us.

Our leader calls this organized anarchy. It's called Food Equality and redistribution. Whatever it is, it feeds hungry children at Christmas.

So different, the two views I've had this weekend. Last night I shopped at SuperTarget with the rest of the city. Lots of last minute runs for toys and stocking stuffers. I saw no tree or lights at the house where the hungry children lived.

I ask, which is closer to the stable where Jesus was born? What child understands Christmas better, the one receiving food in their hungry belly, or the one seeing a pile of gifts under a fancy tree? Don't get me wrong, I love giving & receiving gifts...but my heart is breaking today. Because I saw Jesus with a runny nose and bare legs run out in the cold, so glad to get a box of Rice Krispies 5 days before Christmas.

Advent 4B Luke 1:26-38

"For nothing will be impossible with God." This is the message of Advent. I have witnessed a true miracle this week. A situation that looked hopeless, God worked. He set someone free who was in chains.
Sure it's a miracle that God's son came to earth...that he lived inside a girl's womb for 9 months and came screaming into a cruel world, represented by a dirty stable and a feeding trough. We hear it every year and we don't get it.
Do you get it? God came screaming into the world through a peasant girl! God crashed into an occupied land where his own people were being oppressed! God can break chains and make highways in the wilderness!
I was at ToysRUs last night and found empty shelves everywhere. Apparently the whole city had been Christmas shopping. Sure we want to make sure our kids find toys under the tree. But let's make sure they find peace on earth too.

A Great Place to Be

Tonight was the annual staff Christmas party for our church. Can I say I am so glad to be a part of great team of pastors!!! I LOVE IT!! I admire my sisters who are out the solo pastoring. I did it. But I love being part of a team.

"Just Because it is doesn't mean it should be."

I saw the movie "Australia" last night. What a statement against racisim. LOVED IT. "Just because it is doesn't mean it should be" is my new favorite quote. It also explores the importance of song and story in creating a culture and a people. I am so full of new sermon illustrations I may have to write a sermon.