Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Romans speaks of the nature of God as one who chooses compassion and mercy.  God is like a potter with the power to form from a lump of clay whatever the artist decides to create.  Creator God cannot be judged as unjust in the way that God is active in the world.  One who is all-knowing is beyond our human comprehension.  

While we do not understand all that God does we can say with certainty that God is Love.  From the first pages of Genesis through the covenant with a people that would descend from an aged Abraham and Sarah we experience God as love.  From the Exodus through the songs of David we experience God as love.  At the core of every story and every word in the Bible is God at work to bring love into the world.  

This love is personified in Jesus Christ.  We understand God's love through the ministry of compassion, servanthood, justice, and healing of Jesus.  Brené Brown speaks about this love in the video, Love Made Flesh from The Work of the People.  How do you experience God's love as dangerous?  How will you find the courage to live into this kind of love as you live out your life in this world?

Peace,
Dean

​Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

It's amazing, isn't it?  A story from Genesis 34 that was written over 3,500 years ago can be so relevant today.  Have you ever been jealous?  Have you ever acted out in anger?  Have you ever told a lie to cover up for your misdeeds?  This story involves God's blessings, a father's love, resentful brothers, diabolical plans, and overwhelming grief.  All in seven verses.

Joseph was Jacob's precious son, born in his old age, the 11th of 12 children.  The twelve brothers would eventually become the twelve tribes of Israel.  God spoke to Joseph through dreams.  His father Jacob gave Joseph the gift of a multi-color robe, and his brothers grew jealous and resentful.  They threw him in a pit and then sold him to merchants.  Unbeknownst to the brothers, the merchants took Joseph away to Egypt.  The brothers covered the unique coat of many colors with blood and convinced their father wild animals killed him.  

Where do you see stories today that reflect the story of Jacob's family?  Jealousy can be a powerful force for destruction.  So can deceitfulness.  Could the brothers have known the depth of grief their lies would cause in the heart of their father?  Could they ever have imagined the course their little brother's life would take?

Today in prayer, consider the burden you might be carrying from trying to cover up for something you knew was wrong.  Ask God for forgiveness and make amends.  

Peace,
Dean

​Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Resources can help the Bible come alive.  Developing the discipline of reading scripture every day can enrich your life and inform your faith.  Praying that God will open up the scripture to you is the first step.  Sometimes insight comes after a quick read of the text.  Other times it helps the read the verses slowly several times, allowing the scripture to say what it needs to say.  Reading from several translations can illuminate the word.  Some Bibles contain commentaries that are intended to provide context for the scripture and cross-references to explore how some stories originate.  A concordance can help trace a particular word, phrase, or concept through the whole Bible.  

As we look at the Book of Acts today, we find Paul traveling.  Paul and Silas meet Timothy in Beroea, and then Paul is shipped off to Athens.  Paul's missionary work can make more sense when following his travels on a map.  Does your Bible have maps located at the end?  Keep this site handy and go back to it whenever we come to a story of Paul's travels.  It can help to put the work of Paul in context and will provide details of his work on the road.  You might also come away with a deeper appreciation for Paul's extraordinary work to share the Gospel with as many people as he could.  

As you look at the map of Paul's work through the Greco-Roman world, think about the places you have traveled. Where along the way have you had an opportunity to talk with someone about Christ?  Where were you when God spoke to you?  Find a map and plot your journey on behalf of Jesus Christ. 

Peace,
Dean

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Isaiah 43 gives a full display to God's promise to help us when hardships come.  God is at work, restoring what has crumbled.  

In the early '80s, youth from United Methodist churches in the Detroit East District came together to perform the musical "Two Sides of the Mountain."  It was a lot of work, hours upon hours of rehearsals.  It was a lot of fun.  Youth like to do things that are hard.  And it was spiritually formative.  The premise of the musical was a journey up the mountain of the Old Testament to the point where Abraham almost sacrifices his son Isaac.  Then we journey down the other side of the mountain, where Jesus serves those in need, dies, and is raised to save all people.  

Take a look, if you would like.  The musical is filmed with camcorders on VHS.  While I can remember almost all the lyrics and dialogue, I am sure it will be difficult to make out some of what is being said.  But, perhaps, you will capture the Spirit.  

If nothing else, go to the 20-minute mark.  That's my brother Keith.  He had a gift.  His singing voice is amazing, but better yet is the way he carried a song in his heart.  He offered his heart, love, and faith in song. As Keith sings about Father Abraham remember the words from Isaiah:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

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

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

​Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Matthew 12:15-21

I am no expert on healthcare, that's for sure.  I am thankful for the healthcare plan that originates from the Michigan Conference and is paid for by the church.  The healthcare plan provides preventative measures to try to keep me from getting sick.  It also provides peace of mind in case something major happens to me or Will.  

I don't like calling the insurance company.  It usually ends with them explaining I need to go to their website, register, receive a temporary password that must be changed within 15 minutes, and download "Form BRDPLC." The form must be completed in blue ink, all capital letters and not typed, but use black ink to add my Group Number, and use my non-dominant hand to write clearly my Enrollee ID.  I am told I must include a proper date of service and 11-digit diagnosis code (do not include the first three digits) to their shipping (not receiving) office between the hours of 2 and 3 am via fax or by placing it in a green envelope they sent me in 2011 and slip it under their door, backing away slowly.  At least that's how I hear it.  :)

So, when crowds of people follow Jesus and he takes the time to cure them, all of them, it is hard not to find hope in this One sent by God.  The Messiah is known by his healing and his compassion.

I do not know all of the ways people can receive care if they do not have a healthcare plan.  I am sure that it is a source of great distress and worry.  This morning might be a good time to sit and think and pray about the ways Jesus offers healing and compassion as we are charged with caring for one another.

Peace,
Dean

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Genesis 33:1-17

The morning has come after a long, sleepless night.  Jacob has been restless and worrying about what will happen when he meets his brother Esau.  Maybe you have been worrying, too.  The anxiety can be intense in the midst of an unresolved conflict.  Perhaps you have been thinking about someone or something that has caused you to dread a pending confrontation.  Maybe you are absolutely sure how it will go when the day comes to meet face to face.  Jacob was convinced his brother would kill him and destroy his family.  But there was no turning back now.  The day had finally come.  With the sunrise this matter would be settled, one way or another.

To Jacob's utter amazement, Esau did not come to harm his brother.  Instead, he hugged him and kissed him and wept upon his neck in joy of connecting again.  I imagine you could have knocked Jacob over with a feather, he was so shocked.  All of those years of worry.  All of that time lost.  For what?  God had blessed Esau.  He had moved past the anger of losing his inheritance long ago.  All he wanted was to see his brother again.  All he wanted to do was walk alongside Jacob and journey for a while.  

Can you feel what Jacob might have felt?  Relief, grace, reconnection.  He took his family and his flock and allowed them to rest in a place he called Succoth.  The Jewish Feast of the Tabernacle, or Succoth, is celebrated this year from October 2-9.  Mayim Bialik, one of the stars of the television show The Big Bang Theory, explains the significance of these days.  It is essential to remember the feeling of forgiveness and grace.  God will see us through.

Peace,
Dean