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Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
This past Sunday we focused on the Baptism of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. Today, we receive the testimony of John the Baptist from the Gospel of John. “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” It looks like there might be difficult days ahead. There may be violence in word and/or deed. We may feel like our foundations are shifting beneath our feet. As people who follow the Prince of Peace, I invite you into a daily time of prayer. Let us commit to praying together each day through at least January 20, 2021.
Peace, Dean
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Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Worship is multi-sensory. When we were able to gather together in the sanctuary for worship, all of our senses were engaged. There is a way the sound echoes and the light shines in worship. The space warms as people gather. The handshakes and hugs make an imprint on the heart. And there is a familiar smell, of candles and communion, kids and youth, choir and acolyte robes, folks who just rolled out of bed or are dressed in their finest that are reserved for Sunday. And there are the sneezes. I do miss the sneezes. In Exodus 30, God commands Moses to create a powerful incense filling the Holy of Holies with an aroma that was reserved for that sacred space. Myrrh, cinnamon, aromatic cane, cassia, and olive oil mixed in precise amounts would be reserved for the place of worship. Everything in that space would be covered in that scent. Do you have a candle that you could light where you are that can fill your place of worship with a glow and a fragrance that brings you nearer to God? Pay attention to all of your senses as you worship from home. Today might be a good day to give someone a call and talk about the tiny sanctuaries we are creating at home. How does that space engage the senses, even as we wait with anticipation for the time it will be safe for us to gather together as a congregation again? -- Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
God calls. Samuel and Ananias responded, "Here I am." "As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground." "So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength." God calls still today. In the midst of all the chaos and violence, the upheaval and destruction, God calls us to continue to work on behalf of Jesus. God calls us to love with as much focus and energy as those who hate. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. ― Frederick Buechner Give someone a call today. Talk together about how God is calling us to remember our shared baptism in Christ and to be his disciples in the world. -- Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Today is the Day of Epiphany! God's light came to shine on earth, to help those who were lost to find their way, to save all creation. An Epiphany is the moment when Jesus is recognized as the One sent by God into the world. The Magi story shows us what an Epiphany means. Wise kings from the east used their own traditional beliefs, represented a world beyond Jerusalem, and recognized Jesus as the Christ-child. In the Gospel of Matthew, these travelers from afar who followed the star to the place where Jesus was meant that God was able to draw the whole world in. The divine light was for all peoples. Among the very first to witness the light shining in the darkness were those who traveled a great distance to pay him homage. What are your Epiphany moments? When did the "light turn on" for you and you knew Jesus as the Savior of the world? I will be taking down the Christmas tree today, but that radiant light will still shine in love for the whole world. Today might be a good day to call someone and talk together about the Epiphany. -- Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
In these first few days of the new year I find myself in a process of recalibrating. I have cleaned the house thoroughly. I changed the font and color of my emails and archived all of my messages received during the past year. I have put together things I have been meaning to put together, and have taken apart things I have been meaning to take apart. It feels good. Like when your computer has been on for weeks and you finally shut it down completely, let it get a break, and turn it back on again. It's a fresh new beginning. Jesus reminds us in Luke 6:27-31 that we are not done recalibrating until we love our enemies. Can't I just clean the toilets again? But of course, Jesus is right. Until we address our unresolved conflict we will never find peace. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you... Who has made you mad? Whose voice makes you cringe? Who has caused you to stay awake during the night because they have done this or said that? It's a new year. It's a new opportunity to address those conflicts in our lives. A reboot: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Give someone a call today. Talk with them about that person you consider an enemy. Ask them to help you pray for them, and love them. Allow yourself to breathe in peace, and breathe out anger. It may or may not change them, but it will change you. Deal with the conflict in your life, and live into the Peace of Christ. -- Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B Proverbs 3:1-12 is wise counsel for any time of the year, but especially at the start of a new year. The proverb advises us to keep God's commandments, writing them on our hearts. It advises us to trust in God and to not rely on ourselves, but to rely completely on God. This proverb reminds me of the Covenant Service written by John Wesley. It helps to mindfully and seriously commit to following God with our whole selves. I read some of it in worship yesterday, when I was regular size. I will attach the covenant service so you can spend time with it, pray over it, and commit to it. May God bless you this new year. -- Peace, Dean 
Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Nothing could stop the new year from arriving. Welcome, 2021! I've done my annual "changing of the fonts" and I am ready for a new day. The lectionary texts are just what is needed to begin the year. I won't add much commentary, but will encourage you to read them and reflect. God loves you and is with you always. The lectionary includes a slideshow if you would like to view it here. Do you have a goal to spend more time with scripture this year? One of my favorite resources is The Bible Project. Sign up for their reading plan to read the Bible in a year. https://bibleproject.com/reading-plans/ I wonder what the new year will bring? Let us resolve to love God and our neighbor and trust that no matter what, the light of Christ will shine. -- Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Well, we have come to the end of 2020. This has been a year like no other. We have experienced compounded suffering. But as we look back, we can also see the grace. God has been present. I have witnessed that grace through the love that you have shared with one another, the beauty of birds singing in the garden, the creativity of teachers and patience of parents, the resiliency of children and youth, the bravery of health professionals and front line workers, the determination to learn about anti-racism and to change the world for the better, the new ways to do old things, the sunrises, the sunsets... What better way to end the year than with Scripture? The Psalm calls out a song of praise. Praise God from the heavens! Praise God from the heights! Praise God, all the angels! Praise God, sun and moon and stars and sky. Praise God, earth and sea, fire and hail, snow and frost, mountains, hills, cattle, and all creatures. Praise God, all the people. Princes and rulers, men and women, young and old alike. Praise God! As you think about 2021 and the resolutions you have for your life, consider Solomon's dream. In his dream, God said, "Ask what I should give you." Solomon pondered - a new suit? a pile of money? power? His response, "an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil." Seek wisdom and understanding this year. And remember, when you are discouraged, when you wonder if it matters to love your neighbor even when that is hard, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Keep following the light. It is quite a journey full of mystery and wonder. I look forward to following that light with you into a new year. Eternal Light, shine into our hearts. Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil. Eternal Power, be our support. Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us. That with all our heart and mind and soul and strength we may seek your face and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (ALCUIN OF YORK, ENGLAND, 8TH CENT.) Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
The Gospel from our readings this morning could cause us to raise our eyebrows. Someone says to Jesus, "Your mother and brothers are here!" Jesus replies, "Who are my mother and brothers?" And, pointing at his disciples, Jesus says, "Here are my mother and my brothers." Yikes. I wish the Gospel writer would have continued with what Mary did next. But, perhaps this is not so much of an insult to Jesus' birth family as it is a recognition that shared faith makes us family. We often feel that at Wesley Park. I have noticed that some abbreviate the church not as WPUMC but as WPF. Wesley Park Family. When you go through life together, it makes you closer. Births and struggles, illnesses and celebrations, all make us feel like kin, even if we didn't grow up in the same house. One of the many unique parts of being a member of a church is when we allow others to know us. When we trust each other to be vulnerable because we share the love of Christ, we are no longer anonymous strangers. We are sisters and brothers. Some of you have been sharing your experiences with Dolores Sanford. Ron and Dolores came to Wesley Park and shared their light and faith. You walked by their side throughout Ron's cancer, and were there for Dolores when Ron died last December. You have called, and received calls from Dolores throughout this year, even when she wasn't feeling very well. You were her family, her brothers and sisters. She was your sister in Christ. When Dolores died on Christmas morning, we shared that kind of grief of a community of faith rejoicing in the home-going of a follower of Christ, and grieving the loss of a sister and a friend. I am glad that Jesus had friends who were like family. He knew what we know, that love is a powerful force that cannot be restricted by birthplace or blood. We are one family in Christ. I will attach the obituary for Dolores's funeral. But, let me make a few comments. All that I have just said about friendship, family, and faith make the love at the time of death so powerful. If these were normal circumstances, I would strongly encourage you to come to the funeral to share, grieve, and rejoice together. For some of us, it feels like the best way we can honor the one who has died. But these are not normal circumstances. The funeral will be at Dolores's son-in-law's church, which is large with a capacity of over 500 but with a restricted number of 100 people allowed to gather. Pews are roped off. Social distancing is required. Masks are mandatory. With the virus in the air and spreading even faster, please know you do not need to attend the funeral to honor Dolores. When the vaccine has been distributed and it is safe for us to gather together again, we will have a memorial service at the church. We will have a time for us to give God thanks for Jackie Price, Earl Morrow, Dolores, and others. We will give God thanks for our sisters and our brothers. For now, I would encourage you to be as safe as you can be. Prayers of thanksgiving from wherever you are would be a great gift and recognition of the special place Dolores has in your heart. WPF, do all you can in these days to call one another and stay connected. Trust that you are loved. Share your life. Share your hurts and your hopes. Give God thanks and praise for being welcomed and loved into this family of faith. https://legcy.co/3ptwLFP Peace, Dean Daily Lectionary Readings for Year B
Do you have a Creche in your home? A Creche is the nativity scene, with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Shepherds, animals, and the Magi. Sometimes these are passed down through the generations. Always they hold a creative mystery for children of all ages to explore. What did the animals sound like? Where were the shepherds tending their flock by night? How might it have felt for the Holy Family to be visited by the Magi? If you have a Creche, spend some time with it today. Move the pieces around. Tell the story through their perspectives. We read today the horrific conclusion to this part of the story. Herod, enraged, orders the killing of all children under two years old as a desperate attempt to hold onto his power. Perhaps you can still feel and hear the weeping in Ramah. This is the beautiful, and cruel, world God entered through Jesus Christ. All of these characters are part of this story. The faithfulness and violence continues today. Maybe some time with the figurines can give us greater insight into the depth of God's love for the world. If you have a Creche, could you take a picture of it and email it to me? I would love to see it and perhaps even incorporate it into next Sunday's worship service. Peace, Dean |
REv. Dean N. PrentissI am blessed to be the Pastor at Wesley Park UMC. Find Daily Lectionary Readings Here. Archives
January 2021
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