Truth is a tricky thing isn’t it? Ideally, truth is Truth, with a capital T, immutable, unchangeable, but the longer we’re in our interconnected world, the more it seems like truth isn’t as certain as it should be. And just …
Today we hear Jesus continue his farewell discourse, where – just prior to Judas betraying him – Jesus speaks words of comfort and challenge to his other eleven disciples. And let’s be honest, I think at this point Jesus’ disciples …
The Rev. Doctor Susan Briehl, occasional visiting professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary, once shared the following reflection: several years ago, someone at Wartburg Theological Seminary decided that their seminary needed a vineyard on a portion of it. There was a …
I don’t know about you, but throughout the course of the week, I find I spend a little too much time on news websites – some local, some national. And what I mean by “too much time” I really mean …
Today is the day that we encounter the empty tomb, and wonder. Today we hear the good news that – Christ is risen! I promise there’s a point to that. We hear this good news. We have already broken out …
Easter 7A2023 John 17:1-11 Today, Jesus prays for the disciples. It’s Maundy Thursday, and before Jesus starts teaching and praying, he washes the disciples’ feet. Just a chapter later, Jesus will be betrayed by Judas, arrested by soldiers, and denied …
Easter 6A2023 John 14:15-21 On the night before his crucifixion, because he knows he will leave his disciples, Jesus promises to send them the spirit. You know the Spirit, Jesus says, because the Spirit abides in you, and the Spirit …
Easter 5A2023 John 14:1-14 The summer of 2014, three chaperones, me included, and 10 middle school and high school youth piled into two vans and drove from Phoenix to a Lutheran Bible camp outside Eugene, Oregon. On our way to …
Easter 4A2023 John 10:1-10 Jesus said: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. All I’ve got this morning is testimony. I know what it’s like to not have abundant life, and I bet you do too. …
Easter 3A2023 Luke 24:13-35 For decades, whenever I have read this “Walk to Emmaus” gospel story, all I can think is: Jesus is a stranger. Cleopas and his unnamed friend, followers of Jesus, are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus on …
Easter A2023 Matthew 28:1-10 Peter, James, and John, Matthew, Simon, and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus all desert Jesus and flee at his arrest. Judas, of course, betrays Jesus. The festival crowd gathered in …