Why Should We Christians Keep Gathering As The Church? - Martha Tatarnic in The Christian Century

The inescapable truth for every creature on this planet is that we are connected.  (All of) our lives are finally and forever bound together.  When done correctly, we as the gathered church bear witness to this. 

We Christians gather together because the church bears witness to the truth of who we really are. Whether or not an individual participates in a faith community, the inescapable truth for every creature on this planet is that we are connected.

I might wish that I could pick and choose which parts of the universe and which of God’s creatures share in that connection, but God is a pretty good door crasher when it comes to the gates of my heart.

As COVID made clear, we are radically infected by one another’s oxygen and water vapor and germs and skin molecules.  At the same time, our souls actually can’t know and love God without one another. The great crises of our (current era) are all rooted in having lost sight of that truth.

The gathered church bears witness—for us and for the world—to the inescapable truth of how our lives are finally and forever bound together.

The full article is available here

Benediction: God's Tenacious Love And Inexhaustible Mercy (based on Lamentations 3:22-24)

As we go from here to face the joys and challenges of the coming week, may we remember that God's love is bottomless and that God's mercy and compassion are inexhaustible.

May this reminder be our source of hope as we strive to tap into that love, mercy, and compassion of God which can be found anywhere and everywhere. 

Benediction: Let's Stay On Track With God's Kingdom Work (based on Matthew 6:10)

God created the universe in goodness. Jesus taught us to work for the restoration of that original goodness; to strive to help God's kingdom to come here and now - as it is in heaven - by seeking peace, justice, and mercy for everyone.

May we be strong in faith and hope when other narratives attempt to derail us; ones that tell us to win at all costs, to see our fellow beings as competitors to be bested, or to value others solely based on what benefit we can derive from them.

May God keep us on track and dedicated to helping to bring out the best in everyone and everything.

Pilate's Military Entry To Passover Jerusalem: The Other Palm Sunday Procession - Father George Corrigan

Jesus’ procession proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the violent military power of empire and Roman imperial theology, worshiping the emperor as god. Which procession will each one of us choose?

Each year at Passover, Pontius Pilate, Governor and representative of the Roman emperor, came to Jerusalem from his coastal residence in the west. He entered Jerusalem at the head of a column of imperial cavalry and soldiers. From the east, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.

Two processions: Jesus’ procession proclaimed the kingdom of God; Pilate’s proclaimed the violent military power of empire and Roman imperial theology, worshiping the emperor as god. Pilate’s procession embodied the power, glory and violence of the empire that ruled the world. Jesus’ procession embodied an alternative vision, the Kingdom of God.

Which procession will each one of us choose?

It is easy to just wave a palm branch at church, sing a few rounds of “Hosanna,” and go home. The actual praise and worship Jesus invites me to enact on Palm Sunday is far riskier.

The full article is available here

Benediction: Like Jesus, May Abundant Life And Grace Flow Out From Us (based on John 10:10)

The spirit of our life-giving, life-restoring, and life-fulfilling God both surrounds us and dwells within us. May we be always aware of this hopeful reality. May abundant life and grace flow out from us as we continue that work which Jesus did to bring out the best in everyone and everything.

Biblical Understanding Of "Satan" Differs From Miltonian Understanding Of Western Christianity

In the Old Testament, the word "satan" is used more as a descriptor than a name. Characters called "satan" alternately test, torment, and spare various righteous people.

If you ask just about any Christian what the word “Satan” is, they will tell you that it is the name of The Devil. Those who are fans of Milton’s “Paradise Lost” will say that Satan is the name of Lucifer after he fell from heaven. Ironically, this understanding has a somewhat shaky foundation in Scripture.

Satan is often used as a proper name in Western Christianity today, but it is actually a descriptor or a title. In the ancient Hebrew versions of the Old Testament, there are repeated appearances of figures called satan or sometimes ha satan. These words mean, respectively, “an adversary” and “the adversary.” The figures do not always act like the Devil that Christians envision. The various figures alternately test, torment, and spare various righteous people.

Depending on how satan acts in each story, modern translations refer to the character in a variety of ways. The Hebrew ha satan is translated as “the Enemy,” “Satan” and, in one notable case in Numbers, "an angel of the Lord." The word satan is also used to describe human enemies of the tribes of Israel such as Hadad the Edomite.

The use of the word “satan” gets a bit more complicated in the New Testament due to how many different languages the ancient texts were written in. Sometimes “satan” is used as a proper name, but other times the tradition of the Old Testament continues, and the word is used more as a descriptor than a name.

The full article is available here

Benediction: Seeking God's Everyday Guidance For A Wider Perspective (based on Proverbs 3:5-6)

God's goodness and love throughout time are gifts of grace which we can trust in with all our hearts. 

Let's continually be on the lookout for the guidance which God provides in so many different ways in our everyday lives. This guidance can help us to have a wider perspective than just our own.  It can provide us with insight which our blindspots might otherwise cause us to miss out on. 

When we align the way we lead our lives with how God has designed us to, we are better able to bring out the best in everyone and everything. 

Benediction: God's Promises Are Trustworthy And Can Be Our Refuge (based on Psalm 62:5-8)

Our souls can find rest in God and in the unforced rhythms of grace. God's promises of love and goodness are trustworthy. They can be both our steady foundation in good times and our refuge in difficult times.

In gratitude for that provision, may we be people through whom God's love and goodness pours out in abundance in our everyday lives.

The Earthiness Of The Story Of Christmas Is Why It Still Resonates With Me - Jeff Wiersma

Perhaps my favorite thing about the story of Christmas is that it is so relatable it is to real life.  Afterall, the story doesn’t take place in luxurious palaces or a golden crib, and the characters in it aren’t the who’s who of society or those living in comfort and privilege.  Rather, the story involves everyday people living ordinary lives who are receptive to the part which they can play in the extraordinary love of God breaking into our world.



This earthiness and grittiness of the story of Christmas is why it still continues to resonate with me, because the reality is that everyday life can sometimes - or oftentimes - be really difficult for a lot of us. 



And despite everything - despite how life can be really difficult sometimes, despite how the world can feel really heavy, despite the disappointments which I’ve had over the years and how they can cause me to tend toward cynicism, in spite of those times when things can feel hopeless - I can’t be untouched or unaffected by the simple beauty and hope of the story of Christmas.  

Even during times when my instinctual reaction is to try to wall myself off from it or to try achieve some emotional distance from it, that real life hope and beauty work their way in somehow despite my stubborn best efforts to prevent it. 

Advent Benediction: Good News Of Great Joy To All People (based on Luke 1:46-55, Matthew 4:16)

Like Jesus' mother Mary, may we rejoice in the fact that the gift of God's love and grace is available to everyone; even those who society sees as having low status and those who are marginalized by the forces of greed and power.

The angels rejoiced in the same message when they proclaimed to the shepherds that Christ’s birth was “good news of great joy for all people.”

Like Mary, may we be mindful of this extraordinary source of hope. May it sustain us when life brings unexpected or difficult things across our paths, and may it light the way forward. 

Compassion and Interdependence - Thomas Merton

 

The Hermeneutics of Christian Zionism Critiqued - Stephen Sizer

Due to their incorrect interpretation of scripture, Christian Zionists incorrectly set the current nation state of Israel and the Jewish people apart from and above other peoples in the Middle East and all of humanity, when in reality all peoples are fully and coequally human and loved in the the eyes of God.

Christian Zionism encourages the continued military and economic funding of Israel by the United States, identifies with right-wing Israelis who resist negotiating land for peace, reinforces Israel's apartheid policies, and sanctifies the illegal settlement and absorption of the Occupied Territories into the State of Israel.

The most basic hermeneutical error which Christian Zionists consistently repeat is thinking that the Old Covenant before Jesus applies to the current nation state of Israel.

Due to their incorrect interpretation of scripture, Christian Zionists incorrectly set the current nation state of Israel and the Jewish people apart from and above other peoples in the Middle East and all of humanity, when in reality all peoples are fully and coequally human and loved in the the eyes of God.

The reality is that Biblical prophecy is invariably conditional rather than fatalistic. The Christian Zionist's particular reading of both history and contemporary events - determined by the dubious exegesis of highly selective biblical texts as well as their theological presuppositions - is therefore fatalistic. 

The full piece is available here

Benediction: We Each Have Our Own Role To Play In God's Redemption Plan (based on Ephesians 4:10-13)

As followers of Christ and as members of the family of humankind, we are called to bring God's kingdom to life here on earth as it is in heaven. God is the source of all of the different gifts which we've been given to do that work.

Each of us, in our everyday lives and in our own unique ways, have a part to play in God's redemption plan. So let's make sure to be on the lookout for real life opportunities to bring out the best in everyone and everything.

Benediction: Living Into Our Need For Community Like Jesus Did (based on Genesis 1:26 and John 14:7)

We are hardwired for meaningful connection with each other, which we can develop by living together in the hope and truth of the bottomless love of God. 

This is what Jesus modeled during his time on earth. 

So in our everyday lives, may God's Spirit move us towards ever deeper and richer relationships and community. Within them, may we experience the grace, peace, and joy that is found in walking life's road with fellow travelers.

Benediction: Loving Each Other In Community (based on Romans 12:10-13)

We are called to love each other in ways that bring out the best in us and the best in everything.  We can be confident in the wisdom of living this way because Jesus modeled how to do it during his time on earth.

Jesus served others enthusiastically, prioritized and welcomed people who society had marginalized, and was patient with those who were struggling.

Jesus gave his time and energy in humble service without any ulterior motive of trying to get something in return. Jesus saw relationship and community as transformational, not transactional.

This is the example that we all can follow in our everyday lives as the hope of God's indwelling and all-surrounding Spirit sustains us.

Benediction: The Good Shepherd's Abundant Life (based on John 10:10)

May the peace of Jesus go with us now to wherever life takes us. May it guide us through the times of wilderness and storm.  May it accompany us in times of contentment and calm.

Let's allow it to cause abundant life to grow within us, and let's share that abundant life with all as we strive to do God’s work of bringing out the very best in everyone and everything.

Benediction: Not Growing Weary In Doing Good (based on Galatians 6:9-10)

In our everyday lives, may we never grow tired of doing what is right. May we seek justice for all of God’s children and follow Jesus’ example of welcoming everyone.

May we not grow weary of pouring out hope and peace as we seek to nurture The Spirit’s seeds of life and love.

Benediction: Speaking Truth and Listening Openly (based on Ephesians 4:25)

As we live our everyday lives in God's world, may we speak truth so that our words can be a source of grace to all who hear them.  Likewise, may we listen with open minds and receptive hearts so that what we hear can be a source of grace to us.

Jesus Is Our Example

 

Benediction: Notice God's Spirit At Work (based on Isaiah 30:21)

May we always be paying attention so that we take notice as God’s spirit works within and around us. May we seek out all of the everyday grace and guidance available to us in this world which God created, called good, and dwells within each and every part of.

Benediction: Recognizing Christ In All (based on Matthew 25:31-46)

adapted from Commission & Benediction

by Nathan Nettleton

As followers of Christ, our mission is to help to bring God's kingdom here and now on earth as it is in heaven.

The way to do this is to live as Christ lived. So as we go now to our corners of the world, may we embrace the hope to which God has called us. May we recognize Christ in every single person, and as Christ has been gracious to us, may we be gracious to those in need.

Benediction: Being Aware of God In Each and Every Thing (based on Romans 13:10)

God, help us to remember to listen for your voice in this world which you created and called “good” and to keep our minds open the vast expanse of your love. Help us to allow it to shape who we are.  

God, open our eyes to see your fingerprints in each and every thing that surrounds us, so that every part of our lives will be worship to you.

Hope and Steadfast Love: Jodi Koeman at CRC Office of Social Justice

Preparing for Christ means hoping and loving. 

We need love in order to live a life that embraces people – no matter who they are, what they look like, where they’ve come from, or how “perfect” or broken they are – and that seeks their flourishing along with all of creation and God’s creatures.

Preparing for Christ means hoping and loving. While our “souls wait for the Lord,” may we actively prepare for Christ by radically loving the world as God loves.

The full article is available here

Benediction: Unexpected Joy In Everyday Situations (based on Lamentations 3:22-23)

May we be both humble recipients and generous givers of grace so that we might find unexpected joy in everyday situations.

Benediction: From Broken Patterns To Transformative Relationship (based on Proverbs 19:20)

In place of unhelpful patterns and mindsets, God invites us into transformative relationship; both with God and with one another.

So may always be on the lookout for opportunities to join in connectedness and community. They are how we can become human together and fully reflect the image of God.