Readings: Genesis 15:5-12 17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Happy Lent! What? Whoa! Whoever puts “happy” in the same breath with Lent? Growing up, the emphasis seemed so negative. Yes, we are sinners, and repentance is an essential part of our Lenten journey. But… What if we thought of Lent as a time of courtship? A chance to know more… read more →
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Rejoice!” “And again, I say, rejoice!” writes Paul. “Sing aloud!” “Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” says the prophet Zephaniah. Neither Paul, in prison, nor the oppressed and sinful Israelites in exile, would seem to have much to rejoice about. And these days, many people might… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks the disciples. And us! “Who do you say that I am?” That question has always touched my heart. When I think of the unconditional love of our God. A love for each and every person. A love for our world. Demonstrated… read more →
Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23; Ephesians 2;4-10; John 3:14-21 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” that we might have eternal life… “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love He had for us… brought us to life with Christ…By grace you have been saved.” In the middle of… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler What incredible joy Isaiah’s announcements must have brought to the ancient Israelites! After decades in captivity in Babylon. First, as we heard last week, God says “Comfort, oh comfort my people! Tell them their bondage is at an end!” And now, he brings news that one is coming to… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 45:1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Wow! There’s a lot to unpack in today’s readings, isn’t there? Isaiah makes a stunning announcement. His hearers must surely have been taken aback! The God of surprises is choosing a pagan king. Yes, a pagan king! Calling him anointed, that is, messiah, for heaven’s sake! Actually, that’s the… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler The first time I reflected on these readings, I was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s great love for each of us. This God that Wisdom tells us cares for all. Twice emphasizing that God is lenient. Our psalm sings of a God who is loving and forgiving. Slow… read more →
Readings: Acts 2: 14,22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Over Easter weekend, a friend lost everything in a house fire. I mean everything! Precious childhood mementos. Passport. Every bit of clothing. Furniture. “It’s only things,” he was quick to say. “No one was hurt.” Perspective is important, isn’t it? Cleopas and companion (possibly his wife —cf John… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Have you ever stopped to marvel at this gospel story? To wonder what it was about this encounter with Jesus that prompted four grown men to drop everything instantly? To leave the security of job and family? And embrace a totally unknown future? Not normal. At any level. Normal… read more →
Readings: Sirach 35:15-17,20-22; 2 Timothy 4:6-8.16-18; Luke 18:9-14 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler A famous theologian, commenting on St. Paul’s assertion that the gospel can be a stumbling block, once said that the danger is stumbling over the wrong thing! The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a familiar one, isn’t it? So familiar that we often think of… read more →