The Least Commission

"Anyone who gives a cup of cold water to the least of these will be no means lose their reward..."

You've likely heard of the "Great Commission", where Jesus tells the disciples to go to all the world; but in today's Gospel (Matthew 10:42), we hear the "Least Commission", where Jesus tells us to do small things -- such as giving a cup of cold water -- for the least of these.

Pastor Rob explores how we give "cups of cold water" in every day life, through our vocations of family and work. Yet sometimes we must go beyond our daily routines and pay attention to those on the margins and those overlooked.

Above all, wherever and whenever we fulfill the "Least Commandment", we do so in response to the ways in which Jesus has already filled our cup.

Daily Dying and Rising

 What will we be like in eternity? 

Turns out we should anticipate a complete transformation, not simply of body, but of the soul!  Saint Paul promises us that in our Baptisms, the sin in us is put to death and we are raised up to new life in Jesus Christ. 

Those promises are inspiring, but what does this look like for us who are still firmly planted with two feet on the ground? A reflection, then on Luther‘s interpretation of Roman six:  Baptism means that we daily die to sin and daily are raised up to new life in Christ.

To Listen is To Heal

Out of his compassion, Jesus heals people.  

Out of his compassion, Jesus sends out people to heal others.

This ministry of compassion continues, as Jesus sends out healers.  Pastor Rob offers that although we may not all be medical professionals, Jesus invites all of us into a ministry of healing, namely listening.  

An exploration of the connection between healing and listening.  Ultimately, Jesus serves as the great healer because he is also the great listener.

The Two Mountains

In life, we all must climb the first mountain of life.  This is the mountain of the self, where we establish ourselves professionally, socially and financially.

Today's Gospel from Matthew (9:9-26) warns us though, to avoid assuming the first mountain is THE mountain of life.  

Jesus teaches us about a second mountain, a mountain that is about helping others, rather than getting ahead.  This is the mountain he walked along, this is the mountain he died on and this is the mountain upon which he invites us to live.

Holy Trinity: Relationship and Surprises

 "...baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

The name of God reveals much about who God is, including the fact that God is always in relationship and that God is always surprising us.

Sounds great, but it turns out though, in real life, relationships often have a great deal of friction.  People often surprise us ... with disappointment.  So much friction exists in relationships, that people are drawn to frictionless relationships:  AI Chat bots.

As we confirm our youth this Sunday, a reflection on how as Christians we find authentic relationships and community in our world.  It turns out, we do not need to seek them in imaginary relationships which technology has made deceptively frictionless, but rather in real relationships that require forbearance and forgiveness.  The confirmands and all disciples are called to follow the way of Jesus, of forgiveness and forbearance.  Yet, the work of reconciliation is not left to us alone, but Jesus surprises us with his forbearance and forgiveness in our lives.  All this, that we might have restored relationships with God and each other.

A Weekend for Red

 

This a weekend for wearing red.

Red for memorial day, when many pin red poppies to the clothes in memory of soldiers who have died, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Field"

Red for Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples, and rested on them as tongues of fire.  Inspired, the disciples preached Christ crucified and risen and gave birth to the church.

A reflection on how these two holidays - both of which proclaim the importance of sacrifice, the abundance of God's mercy and our longing for peace - are more related than we first might imagine.

In Flanders Fields is a drawing by Mary Evans

Hands that Bless and Bear Witness

"You shall be my witnesses"  Jesus - book of Acts

Witnessing to Jesus sounds good, at least at first.  But many of us have bad experiences with people who do witness either in our lives and on our screens.

Yet we are not given permission to abandon this task of witnessing to Jesus.  What might this look like?  Pastor Rob focuses on the hands that Jesus raises to bless his disciples at his ascension.  These hands of blessing bear witness to the cross but also the ultimate reign of God.