Posts from January 2021

Readings: John 1: 43-51, I John 3:11-21 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another…We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life…

Readings: 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8b Heather W. Peterson It’s the sleepy time after Christmas day before we return to work or school. The lights remain up, but the gifts are open and some of the new toys broken.  Today’s reading is a reminder that, as my life returns to its mundaneness, my participation in a divine drama hasn’t ceased. I John 3:8b…

Colten Wilson I’ve been thinking about how most of the historically significant events that happen in our lifetimes or that have happened in history are conveyed to us by witnesses. In our times we have near-instant access to pictures, videos, audio recordings of events, and sometimes listen and watch through these media as the events are unfolding (livestream!). But for the most part, we ourselves are not there but these cameras and recording devices are mechanical witnesses, beaming content to…

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”  John 1:19 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything,…

Readings: Psalm 8, Luke 2:15–21 Christmas for us in Christendom has become one thing, and in one sense even a simple thing. But like all the truths of that tradition, it is in another sense a very complex thing. Its unique note is the simultaneous striking of many notes; of humility, of gaiety, of gratitude, of mystical fear, but also of vigilance and of drama…All this indescribable thing that we call the Christmas atmosphere only hangs in the air as…