Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim

“When did God begin?” was the tongue in cheek question blurted out as a challenge to the RE teacher. The boy wore an analog timepiece. The teacher said, “Show me your watch.” The boy put forth his wrist. “Trace the circumference with your finger. It’s a perfect circle. Show me where the circle begins andContinue reading “Beginnings, Endings, Completion”

Next week’s texts are suitably apocalyptic as we approach the climax of the church year. They coincide with a week following the centenary commemorations of the end of the Great War “to end all wars.” Yet there is a global unease as the world retreats into defensive poses in the wake of natural calamity, shiftingContinue reading “Our anxious times”

The texts for next Sunday, November 11, feature the wisdom of two wise widows born centuries apart. Both provide touchstones that anchor active and thoughtful engagement with robust faith.   Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17  We get a peek into ancient welfare systems and ancient middle eastern tribal succession rites infused with the tenderness of interpersonal relationships involvingContinue reading “Widows’ wisdom”

Love trumps the vast sweep of the human story. The texts for next Sunday (November 4) celebrate this reality Ruth 1:1-18  Here is a micro-story that becomes a lynch-pin in a wide sweeping arc that embraces Jewish and Christian salvation history. Sharing the fate of many who battle for survival in a world that stillContinue reading “Love wins!”

Again, a common theme runs through the selected texts for next Sunday, October 28th. Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Sad and sorry Job, accommodating God’s ineffability, reorients his trust in God. God rebukes Job’s “oh so right” would-be comforters and feeds them humble pie. The closing elysian scene sees Job’s good fortunes and family richly restored. SoContinue reading “Reorientation of trust”

Next Sunday’s texts seem to focus on answering this question that often arises when we are frustrated. Things are out of control – who’s running this show? I’m in charge here and am being ignored and need to assert my authority – who’s running this show? We are confused, depleted, burned out, and have nowhereContinue reading “Who’s running this show?”

I well remember a man, somewhat advanced in years, telling me that “growing old is not for sissies!” Next Sunday’s texts remind us that living the life of faith can be much the same. Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Is there room in contemporary experience for the twin terror of God’s absence and God’s presence? Can weContinue reading “Not for Sissies!”

Next Sunday, many churches will reflect on some or all of these passages. Is there a common theme? I think there is. I’ll not reveal what I think it is, I usually do that annoying teacher thing and ask, “What do you think it is?” Esther 4:1-17; 7:1-10; 9:20-22 Esther uses her influence in EmperorContinue reading “Esther, David, James and Jesus walk into a church…”