March 1, 2026
2nd Sunday of Lent This Sunday, we look at the popular New Testament story of the Transfiguration. Normally, the commentators for this Matthean passage invite us to meditate on the following points. The fact that the Transfiguration occurs on a mountain indicates its significance within this gospel. The Transfiguration of Jesus reveals his divinity, which […]
February 28, 2026
Sometimes I wonder about my several cousins who died early in life and possibly did not accept the faith they were baptized into. Only God knows what is on a person’s heart. We do not judge anyone. As I sit here on a cold, winter’s day, I wonder if my family, friends, or even my […]
February 27, 2026
Jesus challenges us today to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. It is not enough merely to know the law or follow it externally. In Matthew 23, Jesus describes the scribes and Pharisees as hypocritical, proud, self-exalting, outwardly religious yet inwardly corrupt people who burden others without lifting a finger themselves. We must […]
February 26, 2026
When a friend was asked to name her favorite person in the Old Testament, she immediately chose Queen Esther, whose beautiful prayer is recorded in today’s liturgy. She was asked what was behind this unusual choice. She answered because Queen Esther stands out as a courageous and compassionate intercessor for her people. Amid danger and […]
February 25, 2026
Have you ever sat with someone having a blood transfusion? Fortunate to have that experience as an intern chaplain, I remember the patient coming in lethargic, pale, barely verbal. A family member who usually sat with their loved one during the transfusion called ahead of time and requested a chaplain to be present since they […]
February 24, 2026
Our words climb up with faith, and God’s word comes down with might. As we begin our journey in the desert, we are confronted with this beautiful text from Isaiah, which speaks of the strength and effect of the Word of God. It comes down and accomplishes that which it intends. This text helps us […]
February 23, 2026
Mountain Metaphor The human race has honored, respected, and communicated with mountains since the Stone Age. In the landscape, mountains have interpreters, but one thing about mountains is that if you climb one and succeed, the experience is transformational. However, climbing Mount Everest or Sinai may not be on a bucket list, but still, we […]
February 22, 2026
1st Sunday of Lent Today, we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent, and scripture appropriately begins at the beginning. How did we get here? Must we look at the darkness of sin once again? It certainly is uncomfortable for us to think of ourselves as people who sin. Many years ago, our pastor delivered a […]
February 21, 2026
When we come together and place justice, compassion, and sincere worship at our center, something extraordinary happens: conflicts lose their sharp edges, and differences stop feeling like threats. People begin seeing each other as equals, or they should. Justice creates fairness, compassion nourishes our relationships, and worship (in whatever form) grounds people in humility and […]
February 20, 2026
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” This complaint to God is appropriate as we begin the Lenten season. The entire first reading is taken up with this question. It faces us with the question of what a true fast is, but also […]