Posts

Image
  Friday – 1 st Week of Lent Gospel – Matthew 5:20-26 Ch Ch Ch Changes! Caiaphas’ House Remember all the fights we all got into as kids?   Arguing, yelling, pouting, walking away in a huff, and even physically fighting?   And remember all the times our parents would drag you all back together, make you face each other, shake hands and say you were sorry?   How did that work out for you?   In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges us to go way beyond a simple handshake and a couple of words that carried no real repentance.   Jesus is calling for real, heartfelt, soul-shaking change!   Not just in our words or actions but change down to our very soul. The Greek word is “metanoia”.   And it speaks of a life-altering, soul-searching turning away from anger and resentment to an attitude of forgiveness and repentance.   Change is hard; none of us like it.   It is more comfortable to stay the way we are.   But change is also necessary! ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Thursday – 1 st Week of Lent Gospel – Matthew 7:7-12 Knock Knock! Entrance to Church of Holy Sepulchre I admit it!   I am not the sort of person who comfortably asks for help, much less directions!   I just try to push through on my own; I can do this!   But I guess, with age also comes a bit of wisdom, grudgingly.   Staying off ladders when windows need cleaning!   Having a ‘spotter’ when I change smoke alarm batteries!   Asking Josh to drive when I have an eye doc appointment!   Aah, wisdom can be a tough pill to swallow!   But it’s necessary.   There are times when we all need to take a slice of humble pie and ask for help!   Most of the time when we read today’s Gospel, we place ourselves in the role of the homeowner awakened in the middle of the night by a knock on the door.   The idea was that God was calling – do we answer?   But today let’s stand on the other side of the door.   We are that friend i...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Wednesday – 1 st Week of Lent Gospel – Luke 11: 29-32 Give Me A Sign Mount Carmel, Israel Major floods and bitter cold!   Windstorms and blizzards with record=breaking snowfall! Millions without power! Nations rising up in armed conflict against others! People uprooted from their homes and snatched off the street!   It sounds like something out of one of the Old Testament prophets.   But the bleak words we hear are from today’s Gospel! People complaining to God – give me a sign!   Is this it?   Is this the end? It all seems rather hopeless!   The crowds keep demanding for a sign.   But when signs are given, they are ignored.   It feels almost as if Jesus is speaking directly to us today and His words resonate with all that we are dealing with today: political in-fighting, hatred, racial unrest, anger and bitterness, selfishness, war and violence and a lack of basic kindness.   Is it any wonder that people are demanding a sign ...
Post a Comment
Read more