lectionary reflection

A Stewardship ‘Mystery’

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

Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year A
Do you enjoy a good mystery? How about the mysteries of faith? Unlike Nicodemus, we generally don’t have to come covertly under cover of night to ponder and discuss God’s amazing love and grace or those aspects of faith that are tough to grasp. As faithful stewards, we do need to grapple with them rather than “check our brains” at the church door. In the pondering, wrestling, and sharing faith it deepens and is enlivened. Go ahead; give it a try if you haven’t already. (Photo: Coffee Shop Soulja, Creative Commons)

What Does This Mean? Examining our Identity

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

Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 5, 2017
The second test for Jesus concerns proving his identity. Wasn’t it enough that God had spoken at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan? Not for the adversary, who challenged Jesus for more. What is at stake for us today in our Christian identity? A lot, or not much at all? (Photo: Pablo.Ezekiel, Creative Commons)

Transfigured or Transmogrified: It’s ALL about Change

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

Lectionary Reflection for Tranfiguration Sunday, Year A, February 26, 2017
Change is all around us, and a lot of it is downright terrifying. The question is how are we going to deal with it? Will we expect the magical, fantastic change of transmogrification? Or, will we be willing to persist and accept the hard, slow, life-giving change of transfiguration? (Photo: Kathleen Dagostino, 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.

Be a Good Steward: Love your Neighbor!

February 14, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard 3 Comments

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, February 19, 2017
Most people pride themselves on being good, law-abiding citizens, but it’s not enough to simply avoid doing harm to one’s neighbor. Jesus calls us also to work actively on behalf of our neighbors, to seek their good, and even to pray for those who torment or would harm us. This is one tall order, but it is integral to being a good steward of God’s abundance. (Photo: Alisdare Hickson, Creative Commons)

Who are You?

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

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 12, 2017
Who do you think the people in your faith community are looking for, hoping for, and longing for? Are they staking their claim on a false vision of the Messiah? Are blinders preventing a clear vision for mission and ministry? What does it take to really see Jesus in these confusing and anxious times? (Photo: Edith Soto, Creative Commons)

How Does Your Faith Garden Grow?

February 8, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, February 12, 2017
God’s faithful and generous people are workers in God’s garden of this world–tending, cultivating, and equipping one another for growth and life. It’s an ongoing process depends on our willingness, both as individuals and faith communities–to let God control our plans and direction. How will your garden grow? (Photo: Roxanne Ready, Creative Commons)

Jesus, Faith & Healing

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

Narrative Lectionary Reflection, Year 3, February 5, 2017
Even though Jesus no longer walks this earth in flesh and bone, he is still very much in the business of raising the dead and healing the dying. And, we are called to nurture and cultivate the gift of faith with which we have been entrusted. (Photo: S Blezard, Creative Commons)

Salt, Light, and the Fast God Chooses

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

Lectionary Reflection, 5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, Feb. 5, 2017
If we really want to spread the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ, then we must quit being so stingy with it. We need to be lavish and prodigal in our sharing of that with which we have been so graciously entrusted. This is the fast God desires for us. (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, Creative Commons)