Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A
I got a Covid-19 test last week. I went to the Kent County Health Department website and scheduled a free, drive-thru test for last Wednesday. I wanted to make sure I wasn't carrying the virus as we started in-person worship. I received my results Monday. Negative. Although I wasn't showing any symptoms, I was surprised by the extreme relief I felt when the nurse let me know I was not carrying this virus. Samantha Schrader, a nurse in Washington DC, wrote this: I am NOT afraid of contracting COVID-19. BUT... I am exponentially fearful that I will contract COVID-19 and spread it unknowingly. I CANNOT live with the guilt of being a vector to an untimely death. Please share this fear with me. We must live as though we are carrying this virus, whether we have been tested or not. These are consequential times. Our actions can determine the well-being of others perhaps without us ever knowing. Fortunately, we have the power to choose to act responsibly out of love for others. In the Book of Acts, when faced with the realization everything had changed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the people had an opportunity to act. The could choose to embrace this new inter-connected life by repentance, baptism, and taking care of one another. They could choose to share what they had with any who had a need. Thousands responded in the waters of baptism that first day and countless have followed in the centuries since. Perhaps this is the time for you to choose to embrace and active faith. This challenging time can call us to repent of our sins, be washed in the grace of baptism, and remember we are carrying the same Spirit that descended upon Jesus in the Jordan River. We can commit ourselves to praise God through prayer and worship. We can live a life of gratitude, as one who has been saved by grace. We can give and sacrifice so that the community is blessed. What do you think is the difference between having faith and living faithfully? How is your baptism a reminder to care for and love the community? Peace, Dean
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Daily Lectionary Reading for Year A
I took a week off from writing and reflecting on our Daily Lectionary. Annual Conference was online this year. 2,500 United Methodists from around the state of Michigan gathered via Zoom in worship and celebration, prayer and trust that God would see us through this time. Then came the final preparations for our first in-person worship at Wesley Park. The Joshua Task Force has worked so hard to think through and act on all the ways to gather safely. The burden of responsibility on the whole Task Force is heavy. This virus is serious business. I am thankful we were able to worship in the FLC together. Everyone did great following the safety precautions. Despite a few technical difficulties, it was quite a day of worship. Thank you all! I took a week off and come back today and low and behold. Someone is chasing Jacob. :) Last time it was his brother Esau. Today it is his father-in-law, Laban. The quick back story is that Jacob fell in love with Laban's daughter Rachel and asked to marry her. Laban said yes, only after Jacob worked for him for seven years. When the seven years were up, there was a big wedding. After the vows were said and Jacob lifted the veil, he realized Laban had tricked him into marrying his other daughter, Leah, not Rachel. Laban pulled the old switcheroo. Jacob said, "Hey! That's not fair! I wanted to marry Rachel!" So Laban said, "Ok, just work for me for another seven years." We pick up the story with Jacob having not one but two wives, leaving town to return to Israel. Have you ever been tricked? Lied to? Deceived? Bamboozled? Maybe someone sold you a used car and you ended up with a lemon. It hurts to be taken advantage of. Could this kind of deception be a factor in the sin of racism? Promises are made to change the way we treat one another. Rarely are those promises kept. Soon, fourteen years have passed and those who have been wronged are questioned why they are angry. How do you think this kind of hurt could be healed? As the story continues, I wonder who will pursue Jacob next and seek answers for the graven images hiding in Rachel's tent? Peace, Dean |
REv. Dean N. PrentissI am blessed to be the Pastor at Wesley Park UMC. Find Daily Lectionary Readings Here. Archives
February 2021
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