Something strange is happening in this passage from the Gospel of Luke. We witness a brief flurry of activity before the silence and stillness of the sabbath descend in the aftermath of trauma. Perhaps we can learn something about coping with suffering from this faithful observance of the day of rest.
Three times, Peter denied Jesus. I can only imagine the pain and indignity that Jesus must have felt. Peter, one of the first disciples to be called, was with Jesus throughout his entire ministry. And yet, through all of this, Jesus loves Peter.
What are the signs of summer in your community? What do you notice about God? How do you participate in bringing about the kingdom of God?
After everything they’ve been through, the disciples, quite understandably, are a bit confused about what Jesus is up to now. They seem to be looking for the stereotypical happy ending that we all hope will arrive to end our suffering. They are hoping this is the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel; that Jesus will finally be the king they are looking for; that the time has arrived when he will restore the kingdom to Israel.
Barnabas seems to be that friend, or co-worker, that we all want to have. It’s clear why the apostles called him ‘Son of Encouragement’.
How will you choose to observe Memorial Day today? Will you celebrate your liberties with shopping and barbecues? Will you visit the grave of someone who died serving our country? Will you remember by spending time with a survivor, witnessing to their time in combat and grieving with them over the loss of comrades and friends?
It’s an important part of my routine each morning, as I prepare for the day to come, to select a cross to wear. And, yet, I’m pretty sure that when Jesus invites me to take up my cross daily, this isn’t quite what he means.
Are you the Pharisee, the sinner, or one of the bystanders? Regardless of where I locate myself in this story on any given day, I find it to be a prompt to approach Christ, whether at the altar or in a neighbor, with great love. And to ask the question, ‘with whom am I eating?’.
One of the more well known quotations from Julian of Norwich, this phrase is often offered as a word of comfort in challenging or stressful times, in times of uncertainty and instability. But, what does it really mean for all manner of thing to be well?
The desire of each of us to be truly known to someone is not something I would previously have included on a list of basic human needs. But, getting to know individuals who are experiencing homelessness has seriously impacted my perspective.