preaching

Legacy and an Uncommon King

November 24, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Christ the King Sunday, Year B, November 25, 2018
On this last Sunday of the church year, consider what it means to leave a legacy—both as people of faith individually and as the beloved community gathered in a particular place and time. If our legacy is comprised of everything we believe, say, and do, then truly considering our legacy is a lifelong work of subversive stewardship and discipleship in grateful response to our uncommon king. (Photo: Yaffa Phillips, Creative Commons. Thanks!)

What do you really want from Jesus?

October 25, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 25, Year B & Reformation Sunday, October 28, 2018
Will we be bold like Bartimaeus in asking Jesus for what we need? When Jesus does answer our prayer, what is our response? Will we, like the blind beggar, follow Jesus on the way, risking everything for the sake of the gospel? (Photo: Vincent Desjardins, Creative Commons)

Praise that Leads to Action

October 4, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Proper 22, Oct. 7, 2018
On this Sunday following the commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, let Psalm 8 provide a stewardship and praise lens for your worship and preaching. This is a great time of year to talk about care of creation and praise of the Creator. (Photo: Tom Bjorkstedt, Creative Commons)

Who Do YOU Say Jesus Is?

September 13, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Year B, September 16, 2018
Who do YOU say that Jesus is? We know that Peter called him the Messiah and then turned right around and tried to redirect his ministry. We also know what that got Peter–a stern redirection of his own. How is your life being redirected by your faith and allegiance to the Messiah? (Photo: Robert Douglas, Creative Commons)

Wide Open Faith

September 6, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18, Year B, Sept. 9, 2018. Do you have the audacious, and persistent faith of the Gentile woman in this week’s gospel lesson? Have your ears been opened and your tongue set free like the man in Sidon? Is your faith limp and lifeless, or is yours a life of wide-open discipleship? This week’s lessons invite us to wrestle with these and other questions. (Photo: Brett Streuker, Creative Commons)

Loving and living God’s law

August 30, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Sept. 2, 2018
This week’s lessons provide many opportunities to talk about the gift of God’s law, the way we live as people of faith, the examples we set, and what our actions and works communicate. We must avoid becoming so focused on minutia that we fail to take in the entire picture, fail to love our neighbors, and derail a faithful witness. (Photo: John Taylor, Creative Commons)

Discipleship, armor, and the bread of life

August 23, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16, Year B, August 26, 2018
This week’s lessons remind us that the way of Jesus is not always an easy path, but it is the path that leads to abundant and everlasting life. Being part of the beloved community, the Body of Christ, equips us and strengthens us for the journey and enables us to contend with the forces of darkness and destruction. Clothed in God’s mercy, grace, and love, we are sent to proclaim a gospel of peace to all people. (Photo: annamarieangelo, Creative Commons)

Wise Bread

August 16, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, August 19, 2018
What is this “wise bread” and wine with which Wisdom sets her table and invites us to partake? How can Jesus claim that we are to eat his body and drink his blood, as John’s gospel reports? Yes, this week in the bread cycle takes radical turn that requires thinking outside of comfortable and literal boxes. Ready to eat? (Photo: Claude Monet, Creative Commons)

Get up and eat!

August 9, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14, Year B, August 12, 2018
Ever had a time in your life when things didn’t go as expected? When you thought you’d done pretty well for yourself, but those around you don’t seem to agree? God has some good news for you in this week’s lessons. Get up and eat. We all need strength for the journey. (Photo: hungry dudes, Creative Commons)

“What is it?”

August 2, 2018 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

RCL Reflection, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Proper 13, Aug. 5, 2018
For what do you really hunger? What would slake your soul’s incredible thirst and longing? Can you name it? Will you claim it? Can you at least acknowledge that gnawing hole at the center of your being that longs to be filled with God? (Photo: Lance Fisher, Creative Commons)