Is 5:1-7; Ps 80:1-2, 8-18; Heb 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56
Vicki Tucker Burgess+
Jesus says, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
Jesus sounds pretty frustrated with people. He’s been teaching thousands, teaching hard lessons about being rich toward God, and about staying alert, watchful and prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom. Here, he’s talking about the fire of judgment, a fire that is meant to throw into high relief the choices we have to make about a life of faith.
Jer 2:4-13; Ps 81:1, 10-16; Heb 13:1-8, 15-16; Lk 14:1, 7-14
Vicki Tucker Burgess+
If you frequent Christian bookstores, you know you’ll almost always see this scripture quotation imprinted on knick-knacks and gifts: “Show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unawares.” I received a ceramic plaque as an ordination gift some years ago with that quotation on it and, at the risk of over-sharing, it’s hanging in my office bathroom.
Amos 8:1-12; Ps 52; Col 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
Vicki Tucker Burgess+
Martha and Mary.
OK, you women, in particular:
who in your family
or your circle of friends
do you classify as a Martha or a Mary?!
You can “type” them, you know,
based on this little story:
There’s MARTHA –
the bustling, helpful,
taking-care-of-food-and-drinks –
and-clearing dishes-
and-loading-the-dishwasher type—
and… There’s MARY –
the (quote) “spiritual one”—
also known as the one who’d rather “visit”
or be waited on
while the activity of hospitality
happens around them…
There’s not just one, but two really great stories in our readings this morning. First, there’s an episode about Elijah the prophet’s adventures. Second, there’s the weird and scary story of Jesus’ healing the man possessed by demons. And there’s a common theme between these two seemingly very different stories: fear. Fear.
Elijah, the great prophet, is now afraid for his life… Jezebel has threatened his life, and somehow, her threats have done him in. Elijah’s on the run, scared and alone.
Did you even hear the gospel reading… or did your ears get stuck on the word “whoredom” in the first reading. Bet you haven’t heard that reading from the OT prophet Hosea in church before!
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps 77:1-2; Col 3:12-17; Luke 9:51-62
Vicki Tucker Burgess+
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. …And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” (Jn 10:27)
This Sunday of the Christian year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus, of course, is the Good Shepherd…and that makes us…you got it: the sheep.
Vulnerable. In need of someone to care for and protect us.
Listen for the example of an inattentive shepherd in this story about two guys who are walking through the woods and come across a big deep hole in the ground.
"Wow...that looks deep."
