[RCL] Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 “Many are saying, ‘Oh, that we might see better times!’” The Psalmist’s words ring just as true now as they have throughout the centuries since they were written. The news is full of war, climate crisis, political polarization, violence, and suffering. It often feels impossible…

RCL: Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “What legacy do you want to leave behind?” This question is often asked by reporters when interviewing individuals who have played a pivotal role in society. Think of an…

The language of scripture is, for the most part, a graceful and formal language. There’s that one place in Paul’s epistles where he uses a word we don’t use in polite company. There is more than one instance of whining, of rudeness, even of insult. Of course, there are the stories of things we don’t…

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! So there is Jesus standing among his closest friends, the disciples. That is meant to represent us. He says, “Shalom!” Loosely translated, that comes across as, “Peace be with you.” This is unfortunately an inadequate attempt to put shalom into English. Shalom means much more than “peace.” Or…

Have you noticed that many of the post-Easter stories about the resurrected Jesus are centered on meals? The disciples knew the Lord in the breaking of the bread at Emmaus, as we recall in today’s collect; and Jesus comes among the disciples and shows his risen humanity by eating a piece of broiled fish in…

The Jesuit priest and renowned teacher on prayer Anthony de Mello suggests an interesting spiritual practice based on the questions of Jesus. He urges us to enter a prayerful state and then imagine that Jesus is asking us one of the questions that he poses in the gospels. Today’s gospel reading presents several questions. The first two…

The mystery and miracle of Jesus’ resurrection is as fresh in our minds as it was for the apostles. Together we have witnessed the events that were both necessary and inevitable for the fulfillment of God’s redeeming love. As children of God our Creator, made in the image of God our Creator, we are filled…

One of the most interesting and unique phenomena in American politics in recent decades was the emergence of Jesse Ventura – the maverick, independent, former Governor of Minnesota. What made Ventura truly unique, of course, was his former occupation as a professional wrestler. Jesse “The Body” Ventura used his massive frame to slam other wrestlers…

“What is there to eat?” “Have you anything here to eat?” Isn’t that just like Jesus? Not only does he insist, during his lifetime, that we need to enter the Kingdom like children, now in the resurrection he models that for us. How many times a day in how many kitchens across the land do…