Before the people who became of age in the 1960s got the name “Baby Boomers,” some called them the “Now Generation.” Back then, that generation was young–but it was more than that. They also wanted to change the world! The Who sang “My Generation” and Bob Dylan crooned, “The times they are a changing.” The […]
Luke 17:11-19: Thanksgiving with the One Leper
November 27, 2013 by
How do you receive your gifts? Sometimes, we receive gifts with disappointment. It’s not what we wanted. It’s not what we needed. It’s not the right gift. It’s not big enough or good enough. So, what’s it like when it comes to receiving the gifts of God? Our Gospel reading for today shows us […]
Matthew 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten Virgins
November 25, 2013 by
When Jesus tells a parable, pay attention! For if you don’t, you’ll miss the meaning in the details of everyday-life events that Jesus uses. So, in today’s parable from Matthew 25, who represents whom and what represents what? Well, let’s start with the easiest person to identify: The Bridegroom. He’s Jesus. That’s obvious if you […]
Understanding Isaiah 66:24
November 23, 2013 by
In adult instruction (catechesis) for those being brought into the Church, we cover many teachings of Scripture. Sometimes, we have classes dealing with people’s specific questions. One such class dealt without how to understand the last verse in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. That verse reads: “And they will go out and look on […]
Exodus, Lesson 19: God Instituting His Covenant with His People
November 23, 2013 by
God is getting ready to institute His covenant with His people, Israel. However, this covenant will be based on loyalty: loyalty to God by Israel and loyalty to Israel by God. God’s expectations of loyalty from Israel are inextricably linked to the loyalty that Israel can depend on from God. Further, Israel’s loyalty is an […]
Thanksgiving-Eve Service
November 19, 2013 by
Our Thanksgiving-Eve Service will be on Wednesday, November 27th at 7:00 PM. Thanksgiving is not a holy day on the Church’s calendar. It is, instead, a day of national thanksgiving when we take a moment to reflect on the blessings that God has given us–individually and as a nation. It is also a time to […]
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: For Those in Christ, Death is but a Sleep
November 19, 2013 by
We have a saying: “Ignorance is bliss.” When we say that, we don’t apply that expression to every piece of our life. But ignorance is bliss instead of knowing every thoughtless and unkind word spoken against you. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to a special surprise that others have planned for you. But ignorance […]
Exodus, Lesson 18: Sabbath Laws and God’s Instituted Festivals
November 19, 2013 by
We now move from societal laws to God-mandated festivals in the Old-Covenant annual calendar. Read Exodus 23:6-9 – Who is specifically singled out to help ensure justice is done? Why? – What is mentioned about bribes? – Why is a foreigner singled out for justice? Laws about the Sabbath Read Exodus 23:10-11 […]
Exodus, Lesson 17: On Being “Gods” and the Consecration of the Firstborn
November 10, 2013 by
We’ve seen so far that the civic laws focused on making sure that people did not unduly take advantage of the disadvantaged. And now when it comes to resolving disputes, we find that God doesn’t allow for His people to separate the ruling of the judges from Himself. Read Exodus 22:28 Excursus on being “gods” […]
Matthew 9:18-26: Healing Salvation
November 10, 2013 by
“If I only touch his robe, then I’ll be healed.” So said the woman with a chronic, bleeding hemorrhage, which we heard about in today’s reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel. Now, if we were to read St. Mark’s Gospel, we would learn that this woman suffered under the care of many doctors who, not only […]
