Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Romans 12: 1-2; Matthew 16: 21-27         Click here to download this reflection Preacher: Joan Sobala, SSJ If you’ve ever looked at the ancient Chinese document called the Tao of LaoTse, you’ll remember finding in it such apparently contradictory statements as “To be strong, one must be soft,” “To stand straight, one must bend,”… read more →

Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11: 33-36; Matthew 16: 13-20 Preacher: Dr. Denise Mack Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” When I raised the question to residents of two nursing homes I was not surprised to hear, repeatedly, “My Lord and my Savior” and “The Son of the living God.” “You are the Christ, the Son of the… read more →

Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28 Preacher: Gee Gee Micoli In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is curiously far from Galilee, in a pagan area close to the towns of Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean Sea. In the context of earlier events in Matthew’s gospel, we can see both Jesus’ humanity and his divinity. In the… read more →

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9A, 11-13A; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:2-23 Preacher: Kathi Piehler I remember coming home from elementary school to find my mom taking a break from her homemaking duties to watch Johnny Carson host the TV game show, Who Do You Trust? The show had three couples competing for the grand prize of $500.  During the quiz portion of… read more →

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9 Preacher: Amanda Rayburn What a gift it is to proclaim and ponder the account of the Transfiguration on this first Sunday of August! Remember the last time you heard this Gospel proclaimed? It was Lent, the second Sunday, it was snowing out and temps were in the 20s. The mountain we… read more →

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8: 28-30; Matthew 13: 44-52 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz Quite a few years ago, when I bought my first car, my dad insisted we buy a standard rather than an automatic. I had only had a few lessons with him, but my dad was confident I could master this skill. My family brought it… read more →

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-30. Preacher: Gloria Ulterino I’ve spent time in prison. For a number of years I would go to one of the two prisons in town and lead Communion services once a month. I never knew who would cross my path. On one occasion I encountered a talented artist, who brought some of his… read more →

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23 Preacher: Margie Benza The joy of being one of rich soil! It is an immense endeavor and a lifelong journey for all of us—one that begins at birth and manifests itself through years of life experiences, prayer, reflection, conversion and hope. Where are you in the midst of this scripture passage? Jesus is… read more →

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 Preacher: Cathy Kamp “Yokes” were very important farming equipment in Jesus’ day. They made the work of oxen easier because the burden of weight was shared between two animals. But they had to fit just right to avoid harming the animals. They were tailor-made. There is a legend – some say that… read more →

Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16A; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42 Preacher: Jeanne Mooney In this week’s gospel from Matthew, Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for their mission of healing and preaching his message. He warns them that as his followers, sometimes they will be persecuted, hated, and beaten; at other times, they will find open hearts, open doors, even… read more →