Narrative Lectionary Reflections

Do You See What God Sees?

October 19, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for October 22, 2017, Year Four
Just like God called Samuel to identify the second king of Israel after Saul’s disappointment, we, too, are called to see what God wills us to see. We are called to look deeper, to see the ways of the heart. We are called to see what is right, to practice discernment, and to look beneath the surface. It’s not a “worldly” way of looking, but it’s the way God desires us to look and live. Looking deeply on the heart is a way of seeing the world that requires cultivation and practice. The reward is seeing human potential, divine intervention, and the inbreaking of God’s reign, of possibility and hope. And that, my friends, is very good news indeed. (Photo: Ken Teegardin, Creative Commons)

The Rhythm and Rest of Creator, Creation, and Created

September 7, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Four, September 10, 2017
What words and images stand out to you in this week’s lesson from Genesis? For me it’s the idea of creating, the power of speaking and Word/words, of proclaiming all that is created to be good, of celebrating the creation, and of resting from the work of creation. It’s a divine rhythm as natural as drawing breath and exhaling—both active and reflective. Best of all, God invites us into relationship so that we are part of the dance. (Photo: stuart, Creative Commons)

Gathered at the Table of Grace

September 1, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, September 3, 2017
In approaching the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion from a stewardship perspective it is always helpful to remember that Jesus is Lord and host. We are simply servers and guests at the table. Whether the meal resembles fine dining or the family table is not so much the point. Instead, we might do well to ask whether we are setting a table that is welcoming and worthy of the Lord of Life. What is our motivation? Who is this feast for? What is its purpose? (Photo: Randy OHC, Creative Commons)

Come to Christ’s Table!

August 25, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard 2 Comments

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, August 27, 2017
Holy Communion is the great equalizer. All are welcome. All are fed. We all come as beggars. We are sinners in need, yet forgiven beloved indeed. If that’s not reason to celebrate and give thanks, I don’t know what is. Come to the feast!

Rising to New Life

August 17, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year 3, August 20, 2017
We belong to Christ, and as part of Christ’s body, we “walk wet” in this world, living out our baptismal covenant in tangible, visible, and countercultural ways. It means that we confront that which is counter to the way of Christ and provide opportunities and ways to work for justice, equity, and peace. (Photo: Dmitry Kichenko, Creative Commons)

A Spectacular Splash of Stewardship

August 10, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, August 13, 2017
Go ahead! Make a big splash this week as you recall your baptism and give thanks for the gift of water. We are stewards of this gift of Baptism insomuch as we embrace—however imperfectly and haltingly—the life of discipleship that is walked by faith. We don’t take our baptism lightly or for granted, and we remember it daily and desire this gift for others. (Photo: Paul Varuni, Creative Commons)

Stand Strong

August 3, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection, 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, August 6, 2017
When the world is too much with you, be of good cheer, friend in the faith. Gather with your community of faith this week to hear the word of God proclaimed, to be strengthened by the bread and wine of communion, and to offer God your very best in gifts of praise, time, and resources. You will be strengthened and equipped to be sent back into the world, fully decked out in some mighty fine armor. (Photo: Michael Coghlan, Creative Commons)

Building Up the Body

July 27, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, July 30, 2017
To plant a garden is to invest in the future of one’s well-being and bountiful table. Such work requires love, attention, care, and commitment.“Growing” spiritually gifted disciples involves similar effort and process. One doesn’t baptize the person and then only attend to cultivating the disciple a couple of times a year or even an hour on Sundays. It takes the same kind of consistent effort and commitment to grow disciples and strengthen their faith as it does to take a plant from seedling to abundant harvest. Discipleship is not a once-a-week activity but rather a life-long season of living into one’s identity as a child of God.

Called to Make Peace

July 19, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, July 23, 2017
Peace. Sometimes it seems like such an elusive word, such a foreign concept–especially if you’ve been spending much time with social media or the news lately. We humans crave peace and need peace, but we’re not very good at making and keeping peace. Thankfully, our Lord IS in the peace business–proclaiming and passing and breathing peace into the darkest corners of this fallen and fragmented world of ours, and exhorting us to find peace both in rest and in trust in his abiding presence. (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons)

Bless, Blessed, and Blessing

July 13, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, July 16, 2017
Today’s lesson reminds us that we are all beneficiaries of God’s good “will” in Christ Jesus. We are adopted into God’s family and recipients of abundance. Even if your congregation or family is struggling financially, you are still rich beyond measure as heirs of God’s grace, mercy, and salvation. We have been richly blessed by God who loves us, adopted into God’s family, and blessed to be a blessing. This is very good news!