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A Troubling Prophecy (Nov 15) 2009-11-11 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article How easy it seems for us to accept prophecy, indeed to embrace and anticipate it when it foretells times of hope and release (such as the birth of Christ); but when the prophecy foretells a time of trial and destruction, I, for one, tend to shy away from the images as too uncomfortable to consider, and tend to reject the prophecy itself. Pastor, talk to me about the nature of prophecy. During the times of Jesus’ betrayal, trial and crucifixion, the gospel points out that many things were done in front his followers and the general population “that the prophecy might be fulfilled.” Is the point of prophecy to foretell already determined events – so that change in behavior can’t alter the eventuality? Or does prophecy have a “warning” component that allows us to change for the better – avoiding (or delaying) dire consequences? Do Peter, James, John and Andrew have similar concerns as they ask Jesus when, and by what sign, these events he foretells will occur? His answer to them offers yet another gloom and doom prophecy as he describes how his followers will suffer persecution and trial, as he himself will soon experience. It seems a lot for simple fishermen to accept and understand. I know it’s a lot for me to grasp, as well. And it offers me pause. Living as we do in these “modern” days, the lessons of history have been repeated many times, the good news of the gospel has been repeated many times; but we continue to make the same mistakes over and over. Where is the evolution of the human psyche? When are we going to get the Message? When will we start to follow the Way? Jesus states here that the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. I doubt that our failure to fulfill our mission to spread the gospel will be much of an excuse in God’s eyes, and won’t do much to deter the dire consequences foretold. With the comforting hope in the prophecy of the season of Advent, soon to be with us, how do we find hope in this clearly less comfortable one? We say, “Even so, Lord, quickly come!” – but “will we know him when he comes?” and are we willing to change what we need to change to prepare the way? Can you smell the rain? (November 15) 2009-11-11 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article I’ve always been taught to hold something back for a rainy day. In light of last week’s Gospel reading, where is the wisdom in that considering the suffering of so many in the world? For us who have enough to eat and live comfortably (like me), I hear a warning in Jesus’ words. The disciples are asking for a sign. Jesus tells them that many will be led astray. It makes me wonder where we are going as a country, as a world. According to a recent report by the National Academy of Science, approximately 47.4 million Americans last year lived in poverty. According to a recent report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, 1.02 billion people are undernourished worldwide. It seems the gap between the ‘have’ and the ‘have nots’ is ever widening. What will it take to reverse this trend? In the New Testament reading this week, Paul speaks of provocation. “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Could what he is talking about be considered some sort of revolution? Could what Jesus is teaching be considered revolutionary? Is that what it will take? Is that day approaching? I smell the rain. Can you? From death to life (November 15) 2009-11-11 by Amy Malick Submit a Question | Submit an Article This is a hard passage. It's easy for me to read it as scary and negative. Yet, I see hope here. It's not like wars, rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes and famines are something every generation hasn't experienced. To me, Jesus is asking us to focus on birth, not death. If destruction is always with us, then so is the beginning. God already has brought the kingdom. And as our priest often reminds us, "Already/not yet." I have a Persian prayer taped to my computer that expresses this tension: Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. Pastor, in the midst of sorrow and horror in our world today, this week show me the way of Jesus to peace.
Abundance Redefined (November 8) 2009-11-06 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article It is very easy for me to lay a guilt trip on myself every time I think of this story. While the notion of giving everything up to God is clearly what I am called to do, I rarely (I don’t like to say never) come close. But as my wise pastors (yes, I am blessed with two) always remind me, parables in the bible are not about us, they are about God. God gives to each of us an abundance that is more than enough for each day of our lives. Remind me of that abundance and how it enables me to freely share it with others. Help me to look into the heart of the widow that gives us everything we could possibly need. Piety, poverty and charity (Nov 8) 2009-11-04 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article Can we assume that Jesus has had just about as much as he could take of the scribes? Up to this point in Mark, they have been at him relentlessly trying to catch him at a loss or in an error. (Doesn’t this guy ever make a mistake?) Pastor, talk to me about the scribes. From where do they get their “authority”? – even as they demand the same from Jesus. If they really “devour widow’s houses” but then put on a show of piety in public, we can understand the hypocrisy Jesus warns about here. What warnings or lessons does this have for us as we endeavor to proclaim the teachings of Jesus in this modern day? The story of the widow seems particularly poignant for two reasons: her offering shows she gave all she had for the benefit of others, and that in those days widows had no claim whatsoever to any social benefits. They couldn’t own property and once their husband had died, they had no financial means of support. Pastor, talk to me about the fate of poor widows in that time and how this translates for us in our time. We’re taught that Jesus emptied himself completely to be made human, and gave all he had, even his life, to save sinners. Is this a meaning behind the story of the woman at the well? [First Page] [Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 [Next] [Last Page] Login - (This login is for administrators and bloggers. Usernames and passwords for GoodPreacher subscribers will not work here.) |
