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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 |
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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