[RCL] Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 In today’s Gospel, the tail-end of a commencement speech of sorts, Jesus prepares his twelve closest followers for their first mission apart from him. They are to demonstrate what God’s Kingdom looks like, interrupting life-as-they-knew-it with new possibilities for healing, wholeness, truth-telling, and repaired relationships….

[RCL]: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 In today’s Gospel, the tail-end of a commencement speech of sorts, Jesus prepares his twelve closest followers for their first mission apart from him. They are to demonstrate what God’s Kingdom looks like, interrupting life-as-they-knew-it with new possibilities for healing, wholeness, truth-telling, and repaired relationships….

In today’s gospel, Jesus instructs his apostles about the cost of discipleship. Christianity just is not an easy life, he seems to say. In fact, you may be handed over to councils who will flog you, dragged before governors and kings, betrayed by your family, and hated by all because of the very name of…

Have you ever thought that having a relationship with God would make your life easier? With God on your side, you’ll slide through life with no problems, right? The readings this morning should disabuse you of that notion. In the Old Testament lesson, the prophet Jeremiah rails against God, using words on the edge of…

According to the gospels, a big part of the ministry of Jesus was that he refused to be scandalized. First, he refused to be scandalized by garden variety sinners. Indeed, he was often seen in company with them: prostitutes, who sold their bodies, for example; or tax collectors who ripped people off. He knew full…

…nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. In a conversation with us, his disciples, Jesus encourages us to stand up for kingdom living even if it means being in conflict with the mainstream of society. You will be maligned, says Jesus, for witnessing to this mission and…

A seminarian, returning from his weekend duties one Sunday afternoon, gave a lift to a hitchhiker and received a theology lesson in return. The hitchhiker, an older man, asked about the seminarian’s clerical collar and interpreted the answer he got to mean that he was, “some kind of preacher.” The hitchhiker then commented that the…

Hear these comfortable words: From Isaiah –“Enter into the rockand hide in the dustFrom the terror of the Lord,and from the glory of his majesty.”“The haughtiness of people shall be humbled,and the pride of everyone shall be brought low,and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day” From Matthew –“Do not think that I…