Tag Archives: Easter

Two Journeys, One Destination

Many Christians worldwide are now preparing to observe the Season of Lent, beginning next week with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week, the days marking the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the events concluding with the triduum, that is Good Friday to Easter Sunday, the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus as Christ.Continue reading “Two Journeys, One Destination”

Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday

Having run up a few decades, most of them in pastoral ministry, I have a few Easters to look back on. I have experienced many repetitions of this high season of the Christian story, beginning with participation in my own Restorationist tradition which, in my childhood and youth, did not highlight the seasons to theContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday”

Restoring a damaged relationship

An intense, yet tender exchange takes place between two estranged friends in next Sunday’s gospel.One has gone in search of the other, who, guilt and grief-ridden, and not knowing what to do, has returned to his former work. The searching one draws him forth to a fire he has set on the beach and overContinue reading “Restoring a damaged relationship”

Lectionary Haiku 21 April 2022

How often is striving against the odds a context for reaching for resources beyond ourselves? Today’s texts, following the Psalm, portray some contexts. Psalm 150 Last Psalm in the bookFull of praise and thanksgivingSing it out loudly! ************************ 1 Samuel 17:1-23 Shaping up for warBig giant ‘gainst scrawny kidWhat could go badly? ************************ Acts 5:12-16Continue reading “Lectionary Haiku 21 April 2022”

Lectionary Haiku 20 April 2022

Ancient Hebrew texts reveal both the terror and joy of being known as God’s people – a possibility that is transformed through the Easter story Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Steadfast love enduresSummoning deep devotionof eternal worth. ************************* 2 Samuel 6:1-15 Ark of the PresenceFull of danger and promiseJoyful king dances ************************* Luke 24:1-12 Tomb of theContinue reading “Lectionary Haiku 20 April 2022”

Lectionary Haiku 19 April 2022

If one is in any doubt over gender equity in the sacred texts, let today’s passages put your mind at ease. The tumultuous age of the Judges sees strong initiative by female wile. The feminine principle is equally powerful in the visions of Revelation Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Now is the momentEach day divinely decreedRejoice! BeContinue reading “Lectionary Haiku 19 April 2022”

Lectionary Haiku 18 April 2022

Implications of Christ’s resurrection swap old ways for new, as seen in today’s contrasting texts, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Rejected by buildersAnd now the chief cornerstoneHow the tide has turned! ***************************** Joshua 10:16-27 Ancient tribe warfareYields neither ground nor quarterEven under God. ***************************** 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Hubris does no goodThe old malice is best dumpedChrist isContinue reading “Lectionary Haiku 18 April 2022”

Easter where the rubber hits the road

In the closing phrases of his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, the Apostle Paul delivers what biblical scholars call the kerygma – the announcement of the good news of Easter.   From the content of the letter, we can tell that the fledgeling church had some serious issues, and the apostle’s frustration mingled with love inContinue reading “Easter where the rubber hits the road”

8 days B4 Good Friday

Today the lectionary gives us Mark’s terse account of the crucifixion.  Why so early? We haven’t even engaged the joyful and celebratory Palm Sunday celebrations yet. Worship planners are often flummoxed when coming to the Revised Common Lectionary to plan Palm Sunday celebrations. They are confronted with a choice – Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. EitherContinue reading “8 days B4 Good Friday”