Narrative Lectionary Reflections

With Jesus, All Roads Lead to Hope

April 20, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter, Year Three, April 23, 2017
The story of Cleopas and his friend on the Emmaus road from today’s gospel lesson speaks volumes to us and to our congregations today. Good stewards are aware of and often appreciative of the past but do not cling to it. Good stewards adapt to change and keep their focus on the things that matter most: Telling the stories of faith, sharing the good news, and making disciples. Is your heart burning within you because you have encountered the risen Lord? If so, what are you waiting for? If not, fix your eyes on the horizon. With Jesus, all roads lead to hope. (Photo: memyselfmanu, Creative Commons)

No Idle Tale

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

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for Easter Sunday, Year Three, April 16, 2017
Funny thing about this Easter story—the point is to go and share the story. It’s about faithfully stewarding the Good News of Jesus to a world that desperately needs to hear it. Sure folks may not believe it at first, but some will come to see and experience Jesus for themselves. This is no idle tale! It’s the life-changing story of Jesus’ love. (Photo: Creative Commons)

Hidden People & Silent Stones

April 6, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for Palm Sunday, Year Three, April 9, 2017
What if we truly enter into Holy Week and the story of Jesus’ walk to the cross this year? What if we took this week to look, to listen, and to accompany those who have been silenced? What if we take seriously Jesus’ words and weariness with our sinful disobedience? Can we hear the silent stones, see the invisible ones, and discern the way of peace? (Photo: Susie Cagle, Creative Commons)

Seeing Jesus

March 30, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year Three, April 2, 2017
In this week’s lesson, Jesus has come to seek out those whom the world deems lost and bring salvation to them. He’s not just talking about Zaccheaus either. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. All of us are in need of Jesus’ amazing grace. It’s all in how one sees things. How’s your vision?

Invisible?

March 23, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year Three, March 26, 2017
Listen up, dear people of God. You are not invisible to your creator, and neither are your neighbors. We will not find our identity within the malls and halls of consumer culture or by shame, guilt, or duty. Instead, our identity comes through love, by seeing one another as we really are–broken, beautiful, and created in God’s image–and affirming the wealth that comes though that alone. Yes, there is good news for us in the story of Lazarus and the rich man if we but open our eyes to see. (Photo: Seth Stoll, Creative Commons)

Found by Prodigal Love

March 16, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year Three, March 19, 2017
Losing and finding and remembering are important words for modern day steward-disciples to ponder, too. What have we lost that needs to be valued and found? What do we need to remember so that we do not experience loss and a path to destruction? What are we begrudgingly holding on to with a sense of entitlement at the expense of our brothers or sisters? (Photo:

The God of Second Chances

March 9, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year Three, March 12, 2017
I am thankful that God is a much better gardener than me and is willing to nurture underperforming plants through multiple chances. Even when we humans are ready to give up on one another, God still works to shore up the soil of our faith. What can we learn from the “Master Gardener”? How can we be better stewards and look for the best in one another? (Photo: Jonathan Rubio H., Creative Commons)

Focusing on What Matters

March 2, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Year 3, March 5, 2017
This Lent, maybe we can make a real effort to focus on that which really matters. What if we got real about loving our neighbors in a culture that is making so many of our neighbors feel unsafe, unwelcome, and unsure about their place in our cities and towns? What if we got real about putting aside all of the extra “stuff” of daily life and instead make time for Jesus and for our faith communities? (Photo: Jamelle Bouie, Creative Commons)

Don’t Be Terrified; Be Bold!

February 23, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Transfiguration Sunday, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 26, 2017
Yes, we may feel awkward. We may even be terrified. We may not have it “all together” or feel eloquent in our presentation, but that doesn’t matter. We can act boldly in the beautiful freedom of God’s love, trusting that this is enough and that God goes with us–always. That, dear friends, is news worth sharing and news worth remembering every time you proclaim the gospel or share your faith. (Photo: Clive Varley, Creative Commons)

Faith, Forgiveness & Lavish Love

February 15, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 19, 2017
Why it is SO tough to extend the same unmerited grace, love, and forgiveness to others that Jesus extends to us? Is it because we are constantly told that there are limited resources, and if we don’t “get ours first” there may not be enough to meet our needs? Does it have more to do with our need to judge others to justify our own brokenness? This week’s lesson from Luke’s gospel has a lot to say about faith, forgiveness, and lavish love.