Text: Mark 10:35-45 (a second baptism) Does spiritual growth have to involve suffering? Does following Jesus always imply pain and loss? In the conversation involving James, John and Jesus that we heard today, Jesus uses the metaphors of cup and baptism. He is not talking about an everyday drinking cup or about his baptism in … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 6:25-33 (“the birds of the air”) As a child, I was charmed by the words of Jesus we just heard. He says that we should be like birds and wildflowers that neither worry nor toil. But despite the charm of this image, I wonder about it. Birds are hardly idle. Most of the … [Read more…]
Text: 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (harvests of justice) Harvest 2018 has been underway for weeks, and cold and wet weather has meant it has not always gone smoothly. We pray that the weather may yet allow most of the crop to be gathered in, and we give thanks for the efforts of farmers. In today’s reading … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 25:31-46 (the parable of the sheep and goats) What inspires people to join a community like Mill Woods United? What moves us to sing and pray together on Sunday mornings? Why do we give time and energy to outreach projects like The Bread Run or the Clothing Bank? Why do we march in … [Read more…]
Text: 1 Corinthians: 13 (faith, hope and love) Paul writes that there are three things that last — faith, hope and love. One might question why he only lists three things. But when he goes on to say that love is the greatest of these, I imagine that few of us would disagree. Love as … [Read more…]
Hope is central to the church. In First Corinthians, Paul upholds three spiritual virtues – faith, hope and love; and although he notes that love is the greatest of these, hope is still central. Hope is so central to our work that I strive to end every reflection on a hopeful note; and I pray … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus stills a storm) Despite an autumn-like chill in Alberta this Labour Day weekend, summer 2018 has been hot. All-time record temperatures have been broken around the world, including in Calgary. Heat waves have been longer than normal and wildfires have been widespread. Alberta and BC have not been the only regions … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (Jesus goes to the wilderness) Jesus was an introvert — or at least that’s the sense I get from passages like the one we just heard. In it, Jesus retreats to a deserted place away from the crowds. Now, my understanding of Jesus might be clouded by the fact that I … [Read more…]
Texts: 2 Corinthians 6:1-3 (“the day of salvation), Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus calms a storm) “Honour your father and your mother.” This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments; and today I use it for the title of a Father’s Day Reflection. When I was a child, my family didn’t celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. … [Read more…]
Text: John 6 (The Bread of Life) For some people, their first communion is also their last. This was the case for many of Jesus’ followers in today’s reading from John. After a miraculous meal that Jesus had prepared for them from a few loaves and fish, they broke away from Jesus because of his … [Read more…]