Easter 5C

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 28, 2013.

Last Supper. Fresco, 1304-06, Cappella Scrovegni, Padua, Italy.

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Through Eastertide our First Readings, which usually offer us verses from the Old Testament, turn instead to the Acts of the Apostles, the story of the early church attributed to the evangelist Luke. In today’s reading we see a critical turning point, when Peter and the apostles realize that the message of Jesus was not intended only for their faith, Judaism, but for all humankind. God chooses us all!

Psalm: Psalm 148
This is one of the last five songs in the Book of Psalms, a concluding trio that rings out thunderous praise for the glory of God. It echoes the message of Acts in glorious harmony: All God’s host stands up in praiseful chorus, praising God from the heights and heavens, sun and moon and shining stars. Sea monsters and crawling things, kings and rulers, youngsters and old folks. We join our voices, too, as we chant this Psalm of praise today.

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6
The Easter readings offer us another change of pace, turning to Revelation, a book that many nowadays find more than a little strange. We shouldn’t try to find modern predictions in these ancient lines, but the underlying idea speaks to all ages: Jesus lived among us as Son of God. God will wipe away our tears and will conquer mourning, pain and death. God comes to us. God makes all things new.

Gospel: John 13:31-35
“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love … Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” This beloved hymn echoes today’s Gospel, when Jesus at his last supper – just after Judas had sneaked out to betray him – gives his disciples a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Knowing that he is about to die a horrible, painful death on the cross, Jesus calls his disciples – and us, too – to love one another, and to love everyone, living as Jesus would have us live.

Easter 4C

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 21, 2013.

4th century depiction of Christ as the Good Shepherd

First Reading: Acts 9:36-43
Peter is out in the world, filled with the Holy Spirit, and to the amazement of the disciples and perhaps even to his own surprise, he brings a dead woman back to life. These verses from Acts, the apostle Luke’s report of the early church, give us a vivid picture of the weeping women in the room, remembering their friend by looking at the clothing she had made. Imagine the excitement they must have felt at seeing Peter showing powers that they had only seen in Jesus.

Psalm: Psalm 23
Many Christians know this beautiful Psalm so well – perhaps in the cadences of King James – that we could recite it from memory. But sometimes familiarity robs us of the beauty of rediscovering the details. Try reading it today with fresh eyes and mind, taking it slowly, one verse at a time. Breathe deeply and visualize yourself and your loved ones in each line; walking with God through the green pastures, past the still waters and through the dark valley, then sitting down at God’s table for an unforgettable banquet. God loves us all, always. What could be more comforting than that?

Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
We are again in the strange land of Revelation, a book written in symbolic language for a persecuted first century church. But there is hope written here for all ages. First, the multitude worshiping the Lamb is not exclusive but worldwide, of all colors, languages and nations. Everyone is included! And then look at the final verses: The Lamb will be our good shepherd, guiding us beside the still waters, protecting us from danger and delivering us from hunger and thirst. How does it feel to find the comfort of Psalm 23 again in Revelation?

Gospel: John 10:22-30
We know that John’s Gospel reflects life during a time of conflict between early Christians and Jews, but we can look past the harsh verses that open this Gospel to find love and hope for all nations in Jesus. The Good Shepherd will protect the flock, caring for the sheep through Christ’s body on earth, and provide us our safe dwelling in God’s big house.

Easter 3C

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 14, 2013.

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes

First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” If you persecute those who follow Jesus, you are persecuting him. Does this remind you of something? If we feed the hungry, attend to the sick and care for the oppressed, Matthew reminded us, we do those things also for Jesus. As the body of Christ on earth, we are all called to care for one another. When Saul gets this, finally, he turns from enemy of the church to become Paul, one of its greatest advocates.

Psalm: Psalm 30
According to tradition, this ancient hymn offers thanksgiving for recovery from a serious illness. There is faithful optimism in the lines that remind us that while sadness and anger are short-lived, the joy of God’s favor lives forever. This idea fits in with today’s lessons about Paul’s conversion from enmity to life in Christ and Peter’s mission to tell the world about Jesus after having denied him three times.

Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
In last week’s reading from Revelation, early Christians heard that Christ would supplant the Roman emperors as “ruler of the kings of the earth.” Today’s lesson is filled with more symbolic language, and it reveals an unexpected surprise: Jesus’s kingship is not that of a roaring lion or any earthly ruler, but a lamb, a vulnerable creature, symbol of the Passover; a slaughtered victim now raised and glorified for us.

Gospel: John 21:1-19
Jesus appears to some of the disciples, shows them where to find a net-load of fish and cooks them dinner … and then he asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter is offended that Jesus has to ask this repeatedly. Do you think that Peter could have forgotten the terrible night when he denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed? This doesn’t seem to matter now, as Jesus directs Peter, “Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep.”

Easter 2C

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 7, 2013.

“Doubting Thomas”

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
Jesus has died, Christ has risen, and tension continues between the Christ-followers and the Temple establishment. The apostles are carrying on for Jesus, teaching, preaching and healing, and all the excitement has the authorities worried. All this uproar is going to bring trouble. They locked Peter and the apostles in jail, but an angel set them free. Now they try to persuade, but the apostles have a higher mission. God has called them to spread the Word, and that mission trumps any human authority.

Psalm: Psalm 118:14-29
Do some of these words sound familiar? Today we hear again some of the same verses as we sang in Easter Sunday’s psalm. Again we promise to practice justice in our lives, to serve God, our neighbor, the poor and the stranger, seeking through righteousness to enter the glory of God. Then in today’s verses we go on to address God directly, giving thanks for God’s abundant love, our lives and our salvation.

Alternate Psalm: Psalm 150
Throughout the year, in Sunday liturgy and daily prayer, we turn to the Psalms every time we gather to worship. Some Psalms cry out in lamentation; some ask God’s blessing. Psalms beg forgiveness and express hope; a few even call down God’s wrath. The most joyful Psalms sing God’s praise. Psalm 150, the last in the book, rings out God’s glory with flutes and harp, strings and praise and plenty of loud, clanging cymbals. Sing out loud as we celebrate the resurrection today.

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
Despite the popular “Left Behind” stories, Revelation, a sort of First Century sci-fi and fantasy, wasn’t really written for our modern ears. In its time it was addressed to the Christians of seven cities in what is now Turkey – churches oppressed by Roman power – reassuring them in symbolic language that the Reign of Christ will come and set them free. Christ is “the ruler of the kings of the earth,” it promises, and knowing readers understood that Christ would eventually dominate even the Emperor of Rome.

Gospel: John 20:19-31
Thomas got a reputation as a doubter because he had to see Jesus before he could accept that Christ was risen. But let’s not be too quick to judge Thomas. Remember the Easter Gospel of Luke, when none of the apostles believed the women who came running back from the empty tomb to tell them that Christ was alive. Today’s message is not about doubt but fear: Don’t stay locked up indoors. With the power of the Holy Spirit, spread the word of Jesus in the world!

Easter Sunday C

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 31, 2013.

The Women at the Tomb.

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25
Writing at the end of the book of Isaiah, the prophet celebrates the people’s return from exile. Although there is still much work to be done, Isaiah celebrates God’s promise to make Jerusalem a virtual heaven on earth, where everyone will enjoy abundance and happiness, peace and joy. As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today, we too imagine a new kingdom where all will be physically and spiritually fed.

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Matthew interpreted the “stone the builders rejected” in this Psalm as an image of Jesus, but this song of victory goes deeper still as it exults in God’s never-ending love that saves us and promises everlasting life. Note well, however, that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we are expected to be righteous, and that means practicing justice in our lives, not only to God but to our neighbor and the poor and the stranger, too. Then we may rejoice, singing, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Second Reading: I Corinthians 15:19-26
Paul is speaking pastorally to the Corinthians today, trying to explain what Christ’s resurrection means to us, the people of the church. Recalling Adam’s fall and the ancient Jewish tradition of offering the first fruits of the harvest to God, Paul reminds the Corinthians – and us – that the glory of the resurrection is not only the promise of God’s kingdom on earth but of eternal life. If Christ has risen, then all who believe in him will also rise again.

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12
Here is the Good News, the most important Gospel story, and all four evangelists agree on the basics: Jesus’s friends, including Mary Magdalene, come to the tomb on Sunday morning and find it empty. But eyewitness accounts of great events often differ on the details, and the Gospels are no exception. Only Luke, for example, names the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee as the first to learn that Jesus was risen. They ran back to tell the rest. Does it surprise us that the men didn’t believe them until they went to see for themselves?

Palm / Passion Sunday C

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 24, 2013.

The Entry into Jerusalem

Procession: Liturgy of the Palms C

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40
Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, an allusion to the prophet Zechariah that wouldn’t have been lost on the Jewish throngs: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.!” The Roman rulers and Jewish authorities wouldn’t have been happy about that, but the crowds, says Luke, responded with a song of joy right out of Psalm 118: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”We repeat this song of praise every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

Psalm: Psalm 118
As we read these verses, which are thought to be an ancient collection of Temple songs of celebration and praise titled “A Song of Victory,” imagine a joyous crowd clapping hands and singing loudly. celebrating the Lord their God, whose steadfast love endures forever.

Liturgy of the Passion C

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Grief and pain fill our readings as Holy Week comes near; but there is hope here, too, the hope that lies in faith and trust. To the ancients, Isaiah’s Servant figure probably stood for Israel suffering in exile in hope of returning home with God’s help. It’s not hard for Christians to find Jesus symbolism here, though, particularly in the prophet’s clear call to turn the other cheek against our enemies, knowing that God is with us.

Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16
If you’ve ever suffered from serious depression or known and loved anyone who has, you’ll see that the Psalmist deeply understands this numbing anguish that can sap the strength of body, mind and soul. But even in the black depths, there’s hope! Even when things seem darkest, trust in God and pray: “Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.”

Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Paul, writing to the people of Philippi from prison in Rome, might very well have had Isaiah’s Servant in mind as he wrote. Jesus’s death on the cross is significant, Paul says, because Jesus “emptied himself,” becoming one with us even in suffering, accepting human frailty as he bore the gruesome pain of crucifixion. We, too, like Paul, are called to serve God and our neighbor in the name of Jesus, who became “more” through becoming ‘less.”

Gospel: Luke 22:14-23:49
Palm Sunday brings us to Holy Week with Luke’s full account of Jesus’s Last Supper, Passion and Crucifixion. And now Jesus, too, calls us to service: “The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. … But I am among you as one who serves.” What might this look like in your life? How are you called to serve?

Lent 5C

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Christ in the House of Simon.

First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
The idea of progress toward a goal runs through today’s readings. This is a meaningful image for us as we move through the penitential days of Lent toward Holy Week and the joy of Easter. The Isaiah reading, recalling the time when the people were in exile in Babylon, reminds us not to yell, “But we’ve always done it this way!” when it’s time to look for new ways. Even when things seem hopeless, God is with us.

Psalm 126
One of a series of hymns known as “Songs of Ascent” and perhaps originally sung as the people approached the Temple in ritual procession, this Psalm celebrates the return to Jerusalem from exile. It reminds us that God’s redemption can turn our tears into shouts of joy even though life’s burdens once seemed to be more than we could bear.

Second Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14
Paul thought he had a lot to be proud of when he was a Pharisee, strong in his Jewish faith and angrily persecuting the Christians who he then saw as dangerous radicals. But that was before he discovered Jesus and everything changed, he tells the people of Philippi in Greece, a Gentile community of retired Roman soldiers, Christian converts themselves. Forget what lies behind, he urges them, echoing Isaiah’s advice; press on – as he does – toward the goal of resurrection and life.

Gospel: John 12:1-8
Our journey through Lent with Jesus is nearing its end. In John’s Gospel, Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead, and now the high priests are worried. Jesus’s miracles are getting too much attention, and the clamor might upset the hated Roman rulers. They decide to kill him if he shows his face in Jerusalem during Passover. Of course, that’s just where Jesus is headed. But first, he stops in Bethany to visit Lazarus, Mary and Martha, and Martha shows her love by bathing his feet extravagantly with a costly perfumed oil. Profit-minded Judas objects, but Jesus says, “Leave her alone!” The oil is for his burial, Jesus says, reminding them, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Lent 4C

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 10, 2013.

Galway Cathedral, Prodigal Son.

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12
After 40 years wandering in the desert, the Israelites have come to Canaan, the land of milk and honey, and they celebrate with bread made from the produce of the promised land. The book of Joshua will go on to tell us that people already live on the land. It will have to be taken by bloody force, a darker side of Israel’s ancestral story. For now, though, as we move toward the promise of Easter – and Passover – we simply share in the joy of completing a long journey.

Psalm 32
Who hasn’t known the anguish of doing something wrong that hurt a loved one? An angry word, a careless act, and then we see that look of pain, the sudden tear, and we feel so bad. When these things happen, there’s only one thing to say: “I’m sorry.” When this simple response brings a smile and forgiveness, everything feels better. And so it is when we sin and step away from God. It hurts. And as the Psalmist sings, God’s forgiveness and steadfast love can make us shout for joy.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Paul was dealing with an angry, troubled congregation in this second letter to the people of Corinth. They’re mad at him, and he’s not so happy with them, either. But he loves them and wants their forgiveness, and in these verses he points out that God gave us Christ to reconcile the world to God. Paul asks the Corinthians to do the same. Can we do any less?

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Everyone loves the parable of the Prodigal Son. But do we all hear it in the same way? If you are an older sibling, you may find it easier to relate to the older son’s reaction when his bratty brother came slinking home and got a feast. As his father’s loving reassurance made it all better, so the parable reassures us that God’s nurturing grace is open to us all: Long-suffering good kid and prodigal brother too. Where do you find yourself when you hear this story? Can you feel the love?

Lent 3C

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Moses before the Burning Bush, Domenico Fetti, 1613-14.

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
Scripture offers scores of images and metaphors to help us visualize the idea of a God who is beyond our imagining. Still, the idea of God appearing to Moses in a burning bush might seem a little strange to our modern ears. But hear God’s message to Moses, foreshadowing God’s covenant with the people: God brought us out of slavery. God will be with us. God’s assertion to Moses, “I am who I am,” may also be translated from ancient Hebrew as “I will be what I will be,” a promise that carries down through the ages.

Psalm 63
We began the penitential season of Lent by recalling the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, defying temptation and preparing for his ministry on earth. Today’s Psalm finds the Psalmist in a similar place, seeking God with thirsty soul in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Through prayer, the poet’s hunger is satisfied. Upheld by God’s strong hand, he sings for joy under the shadow of God’s wings.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Paul, teaching the people of Corinth in a time when early Christians were still working out their relationship with Judaism, recalls Old Testament stories in which Israelites were struck down for failing to keep God’s ways. Paul holds up the Israelites as bad examples for the early Christians, who may have felt that God was testing them through hard times. Be faithful, Paul urges, and know that when hard times test us, God will provide us strength through our faith.

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Do bad things happen to people because they sin? No, responds Jesus. Bad things can happen to anyone. That is the way of the world. As God taught Job, so speaks Jesus: God does not punish sin with suffering. The world is more complicated than that. But, Jesus goes on, repentance brings forgiveness and eternal life. And, like the gardener who defers cutting down the barren fig tree in favor of nurturing it a little more, we have hope for forgiveness and another chance.

Lent 2C

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Robin Garr

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.

Hen & Chicks Jerusalem Chapel

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Last week’s reading about God’s covenant in Deuteronomy was easy to understand: Give God thanks with the first fruits of the harvest, not just what’s left over after we have feasted. Be good to our neighbors, and to the poor. Today’s covenant from Genesis is a little harder to wrap our modern minds around, with its talk of sacrificing livestock and poultry! But let’s look past the Bronze Age temple practices to find what endures: God’s promise stays with us always, even when the darkness seems deep and terrifying.

Psalm 27
Today’s Psalm continues the message that the Exodus covenant offers: Even when we feel under attack, beset with dangers and real-life fears, we place our confidence in God and ask for God’s protection. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. That is the way of our lives. But we look for God’s goodness in everyday life, and trust that God will be with us in bad times and good.

Second Reading: Philippians 3:17 – 4:1
The Philippians, too, were worrying about earthly fears and persecution by their enemies, but Paul reassures them with pastoral advice that might recall the Psalmist’s wisdom: Look to God, through Christ, for our salvation. Stand firm in our faith and find meaning in our lives by making every effort to live as Christ would have us live.

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35
It is Lent, and we are reminded of crafty King Herod as we follow Jesus toward Jerusalem and his death on the cross, a death that must come before resurrection and its promise. But then, in the middle of this dark and foreboding passage, there is a magical image that we should not overlook: Jesus describes himself as a mother hen protecting her brood under her wings! Not the strong, ruddy Good Shepherd guarding his flock, but a nurturing, feminine image that’s just as loving yet very different. How does it feel to think of Jesus as a source of gentle motherly love? Try reflecting on this as you hear the Gospel today.

Illuminations

Welcome to Illuminations. We hope these brief reflections on Sunday's readings will help you prepare thoughtfully for worship.

Author Archives: Robin Garr