[RCL] Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23 or Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 A rock, a ladder, and a promise to a man who is running for his life. That is what we get in our story from Genesis today. Jacob is in a very bad situation. He stole not only…

[RCL]: Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23 or Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 We all inherit our lives – which is to say, there are things about us that are “given.” The very traits and narratives and worlds we occupy, by and large, were neither earned nor achieved. They were given….

Today’s readings offer us a wonderful opportunity to focus on stories. The stories we tell both illuminate and teach the virtues that our communities respect. Stories transmit culture, values, and ethics. Stories often include images and actions that raise questions and confirm values. In our church communities, we tell concrete stories that illustrate our beliefs,…

If you go into any gym and find the section where people are pumping iron, you will hear a lot of grunting and groaning. Weightlifters often groan. They groan as they strain to push weights off of their chests, or over their heads, or pull and heave them off the floor. Engines straining also groan….

In a classic strip of the famed “Peanuts” newspaper cartoon, Lucy explains to her little brother Linus about the existence of good and evil. She tells him that he, like others, have inside these two forces. Linus looks at his stomach with a distressed look on his face and declares, “I can feel them in…

Who are you? Who are your people? Who are your kin? These are questions we’re asked in many different ways every day. Culturally, in the South, “Who are your people?” is an essential question—usually the first question a new person in town, or a new boy or girlfriend is asked. Think about it. We ask…

Our lessons for today speak with dynamic emphasis of the power of God. In the passages from Wisdom we read of God’s presence in the life of his people, a presence combining firmness and power as well as compassion and caring. “Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge with mildness, and with great forbearance…

Although you are sovereign in strength you judge with mildness and with great forbearance you govern us; for you have power to act whenever you choose. Wisdom 12:18 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now. And not only the creation but we ourselves who have the first fruits…