Lesson Plans That Work
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 28: November 18, 2012
A beautiful building, the Temple – laboriously built and the pride of the people. Impressive now, Jesus agrees, but not one stone will be left upon stone. The kingdom he offers is not about fancy buildings. His kingdom will, however, remain after all else has been destroyed.
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 27: November 11, 2012
The season of Ordinary Time continues for two more Sundays. The Gospel brings us back to noticing what we are being called to do. Clearly it is not to put on a big show or call attention to ourselves. Beware of those whose actions are not compatible with their talk! And perhaps it's not about the size of the contribution, but the depth of the gratitude.
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 26: November 4, 2012
The question from the disciples this week is not meant to be one to challenge or trip Jesus up. Rather, it is common in Jewish tradition to ask if there is a way to summarize commandments.
All Saints' Day: November 1, 2012
We step aside from the flow of the propers and celebrate all the saints. We stop. We notice. We are surrounded by a flock of witnesses in our midst -- many who have gone before us, some we are just now releasing, and still more with a full life ahead of them. Jesus raises back to life his friend, Lazarus. Lazarus will eventually die, but for now, those who are following Jesus need to know that death has had its stinger removed. "Unbind him and let him go", says Jesus. Each of us, on our last day on this side of life, will know that unbinding and that letting go.