Today you will be with me in Paradise

 Lent 2 (February 25, 2024)

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”; Jesus, Luke 23:43

We long for paradise, a world in which mercy has the last word and God’s peace reigns.  But so much evidence mounts in our lives that the opposite is true: armed violence writes the story of judgement and retribution.

In this story, we hear of Jesus extending beautiful mercy to a man who has been justly condemned.   In this case, mercy has the last word!  What about in our lives?  What gives us the audacity to hope for mercy?  A reflection on the cross, mercy and…heat packs.

The artwork was drawn by a 1st grader who was listening to the sermon.

I Thirst: Truly Human

 First Sunday of Lent (February 18, 2024)

Word of the Cross:  I thirst (John 19:28)

Jesus’s cry of “I thirst” reminds us, even reveals to us, that he is human.  

The ancient church confessed that Jesus is “truly human.”  Pastor Rob explores what it means for Jesus, not just to be human, but to be “truly human”:

• Faith in the face of human death
• Compassion in the face of human boundaries
• Servanthood in the face of human need

A reflection too, on how Jesus death and resurrection make it possible for us, not just to be human, but “truly human.”

Making Sense of Life

Transfiguration Sunday (February 11, 2024)

After the super bowl tonight, reporters will ask the players “How does it feel to win the Super Bowl?”  Chances are, none of them will say anything remotely coherent.  The event is too overwhelming for them.

Today, we remember the Transfiguration of our Lord (Mark 9:2-10), certainly an overwhelming event for the disciples.  They don’t know what to say; they are in awe of the goodness but also terrified of its implications.

In life, how to we make sense of these events in life that we know are good, but also cause us to tremble, because we don’t quite know what they mean for our life?

The picture is from the best Super Bowl ever, in which the Philadelphia Eagles won.

Saying "No" to Say "Yes"

Sunday, February 4 (Epiphany 5)

Often in life we must say “no” to something in order to say “yes” to something else.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 1:29-39), Jesus says “no” to stay in the town where he was.  He says “no” to the expectations of the disciples and he says “no” to healing people there.  He does this so he can say “yes” to God’s purpose in his life.

Pastor Rob challenges you to consider what Jesus is calling you to say “no” to in your life; and what Jesus is calling you to say “yes” to in your life.

It turns out, this wrestling with “no” and “yes” is not an easy thing and must be in prayer.  And in prayer we are promised to meet the one has who already said “no” to sin and death in our lives as well as said “yes” to God’s resurrection and love in our lives.