John the Baptist

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Matthew 3:7-12 

John the Baptist was the forerunner and guide to Jesus. He stood out in a crowd, his dress was rough, he was itinerant and lived the life of a loner and mystic. Yet, he had crowds of religious leaders coming out to be baptized by him, along with hopeful, faithful people from all over. He told the truth, plain and simple, preparing the people to meet the Son of God. He was so plain spoken that many of the religious authorities took offence at his teachings. He didn't back down and yet they still came out. May we not be afraid of the plainspoken truth and turn our hearts with expectation to a new revelation of Christ.

Wondrous God, we watch your handiwork in stars

we see the beauty of you in the faces of our beloved

and you promise us all new life and new vision.

We are in worrying and exhausting times

when celebrity and violence are page one everywhere

yet you call us to those wilderness places of truth.

Help us to seek out those places and people

who can turn us again right as we follow you

so that love and mercy can flow here once again. Amen.

Family Tree

An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” ’ Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 1:1-17, 3:1-6

We all like knowing about our ancestors and where they all came from. Watching "Finding Your Roots" on PBS, I am reminded, over again how important names and even faces are that were not known before. From the names of slave ancestors to those ancestors lost in the Holocaust, names are so important. Our identity is shaped by the names and lives of those who came before. For Matthew, explaining to the Jewish community, the authentic lineage of Jesus was so important. Putting names and places together, help us know more personally the challenges folks faced in our past. Those names and places make Jesus and also John, not only more real to them, but a part of a living stream of faith. May we know those names who suffered for our faith and taught our ancestors how to live with peace and mercy in a warring world.

Loving Creator, you know us each by name

and find us and gather us up when we are lost

bringing us to safely rest at home once again.

We forget whose we are a where we came from

putting on airs of vain and foolish people

forgetting the names of those who suffered for us.

Help us to know others by name as you know us

help us to see each individual as one loved by you

and share your peace and mercy with all humankind. Amen.

Third Sunday of Easter

Third Sunday of Easter

Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35

Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread, not through all that he had said to them as they walked, but in a most common activity of breaking bread. We often forget that many of the disciples, who became great men of faith, would not believe the women who found the tomb empty, nor the testimony of Peter, their close friend, nor the story that Jesus shared with them as they traveled. A little thick like us and like us the presence of the living God is not found in high and holy places always, but in the very small moments when love, beauty and faith are seen and felt in a simple meal. May we continue to seek Jesus every day and expect that he will be known to us in the simple, familiar places and people.

Wondrous Creator, who brings new life and beauty

in this season of Easter, we wait your Spirit within us.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places.

We live in a world torn by war and selfishness

and we fear, day and night, that nothing good will happen.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places.

Yet you, O Creator, have set the spring to remind us

that in winter's death we are reminded of your dying.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places.

In the new, warmer breezes of spring you teach us

new life is here, living and true, among us now.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places.

Make us humble in these days of violence and neglect

that you are gentle and seek peace for the whole world.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places.

Let us love like you do, Lord Jesus, with deep compassion

so the world might know you in the breaking of the bread.

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus, so we may know you in all the humble places. Amen.

The Spirit of Truth

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. ‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:1-15

We live in a time when truth is challenged every day.  Leaders who have been given incredible responsibility for the care of people seem to worry only about their fame and gain. Faithfulness is under the microscope, and some would argue only their practice of faith is correct and everyone else should perish. Jesus' disciples faced incredible backlash from the religious leaders of their day. They also were considered suspect by the political authorities. Many would suffer a horrible death. Yet, they clung to Jesus' words and promises as we must now. The Spirit did then, and will now, provide us with clarity and faith we need to face the coming days.

Gracious Creator, you stretch your arms wide

embracing the diversity and beauty of the world

and ache to bring us together in the truth of love.

We are greedy, arrogance and willfully abusive

with a little power we can all take advantage

and turn the truth into weapons of war.

Help us to remember your promises to us

that you will provide us with your Spirit

and your truth and love will prevail here. Amen.

I am the Vine

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. John 15:1-11

It is a glorious day here and it's also still early spring. Very little can be planted yet as frost may still happen. Forsythia and daffodils brighten the earth as the grass struggles to turn green. It can feel as if the summer will never come. Likewise, we can feel as if we are caught in early spring and will never get the chance to fully bloom. Yet today we are told that we are infinitely tied to the divine, part of the living God. In our doubtful times, in the times where we feel weakest, we can still count of being fed and nurtured by the Creator's abundant love. As the beauty of spring and summer breaks forth, so too will we thrive and blossom. 

Wondrous Creator, you make all things new

and bind us to you love as branch to vine

as always, a living being ready to bloom again.

Weakness and doubt overcome us at times

and we feel powerless to change anything

forgetting that you are the way and the life.

Lord Jesus, teach us again to rise with you

let our hearts and minds be always ready

to be renewed and shaped by your love. Amen.

Peace I Leave With You

‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. John 14:18-31

We do not live in a time of peace, but a time when war seems to build daily. The losers of war are never truly nations but rather the innocent children, spouses, and elderly caught in the crossfire, many who don't survive. Peace means giving up some control, all arrogance and selfish interests. It requires us to put the innocent people first, not the rage of the leaders. Jesus does not lead from power but with love first and those of us who follow Jesus are called to lead always with love.

Loving Creator, you teach us your peace

as the sun sets and the babies fall asleep

and in the deep quiet when you are here.

We want to get our way and demands

yet we lose when we are selfish and unkind

for peace is a gift given with a humble heart.

Lift us from all arrogance and fear today

and move us to the big table of peace

where we sit with your love and peace around us. Amen.

In My Father's House

'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. John 14:1-17

We hear Jesus, gathered with his disciples, still trying to explain the intimacy and interconnectedness of his relationship to the Father, Creator, God. They accept that he is able to heal and feed and able to understand the depths of the human soul. And yet, they are struggling to understand. Today, we might say Jesus and the Father have identical or related DNA and explain that since we all came from one root, we are intimately connected and interdependent. Today we are invited to live beyond our need for exceptionalism and humbly embrace Jesus' promises to live on the love and power of the Creator.

Divine Creator, we are all your beloved children

in the myriads of beauties, cultures and music

and we are known in the depths of our humanity.

Despite being imprinted with your image and spirit

we doubt and fear and lose our way regularly

only to be gathered up again into your loving arms.

Surround us today, Lord, with your holy grace

so we might be peacemakers with our neighbors

and carry your imprinted love to our aching world. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter 2026

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

I always wished for a better title for the story of Thomas and his doubts. It is very clear that on the day of resurrection the disciples refused to believe the women, and they didn't recognize Jesus on the road. We love to point fingers at those who fail at something, taunting them and sharing the story widely. Yet when we fail, we don't like it pointed out and fail to admit to our failure or our doubt. Thomas was fully human and asked to see Jesus, since he had not been at earlier encounters. The truth of faith is that we waiver, we doubt and when we miss the signs we feel abandoned. Jesus loves Thomas and all of us who are truthful and willing to admit our doubts. May we all pray with Thomas, "help my unbelief!"

Wondrous Creator, who wakes up the darkened world 

by sending sun and rain in the spring to help us hope again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

You made us in your image, yet we fail to notice you

within us, around us, in front of us and behind us.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

As we sink into war and human destruction, you call us

to be people who are filled with hope and love once again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

We cower in our failure and shame as we deny you

yet we cry to you in the deepest darkness of night.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

Let your light and your love permeate our bodies

and fill us again with faith enough to seek your face.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people.

Make us your children again as we embrace you

and let us never stray from your loving arms again.

Oh Lord, fill us with your love so we might be your faithful people. Amen.

Idle Tales

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12

We live in a world lies and false tales are used to cover up other lies and mistruths. We want the truth, yet we can have a hard time separating truth from fiction. When we are overcome, overwhelmed, grieving and feeling lost, nothing can seem true to us. The disciples were in deep grief and afraid for their lives after the resurrection. The women disciples went out to honor Jesus, despite their fears and grief. Their love overcame their fear. And for that, they were able to witness the great victory of love, the resurrection. We don't carry the exact same fears and losses as the disciples, but we can understand them for we too have deep fears and losses and no longer feel like we hear the truth. So, this truth is that God's love for the world overcame death and the grave for the whole world. Love conquered once and for all and that, my dear friends, is a source of endless joy and hope, even in our darkest times.

Loving Creator, you have conquered death

in your offering of your Son living like us

and dying, yet returning, so we might know love.

We have much to fear and many worries

sometimes we huddle in fear and despair.

yet even in the dark you call us each by name.

Help us each to know the true depth of your love

make us brave like to women disciples that morning

ready to open our hearts again to your truth. Amen.

I Am with You Always

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:16-20

My eldest daughter sent me a quote the other day. "Science confirms. You never truly walk alone, your mother's cells live on inside your brain and heart forever." When I received it from her, it made me ache for my mother something fierce. A truly loving woman, who cared for us so well, and so many other people and especially children. I got to wondering whether the disciples felt that kind of ache, an ache so deep and raw, we rarely face it. The trauma of the crucifixion imbedded in their minds. They were thrilled, fearful and a little in doubt. Jesus was with them on the mountain, saying he was going to be leaving and promising to be with them always. They would have preferred the physical Jesus present always, like I ache for my mother always. And we know, if the cells of our mothers live on within us, then the cellular material that is our Creator is present too.

Wondrous Creator, you mark us with your love

giving us signs and wonders to behold at night

and your presence with us throughout the ages.

We feel isolated and alone, mourning for the lost

wishing and aching for their presence once again

thinking you are too far away and very silent.

Lord, help us to feel your presence today

as we serve among those who are your face

and let us trust in your living presence in each of us. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Matthew 28:1-16

One of the most common things spoken by angels is "do not be afraid". This is always spoken to terrified, uncertain people. Jesus says it often too in the Gospels. And we need to hear these words today, as our spirits are terrified, hurting and undone by war and other present atrocities. Behind the scenes in Matthew's Gospel account of the resurrection are political and social manipulations going on at the highest level, always involving money. The faithful women saw Jesus that day assured them of s love and care for them. To all of the troubles and terrors we face today, God speaks to our hearts. "Do not be afraid!"

Loving Creator, author of peace and all healing

you showed your love to the world by raising Jesus

and by promising us all that we have nothing to fear.

We live in troubling, unsettling and terrifying days

when the innocent ones are crushed by the greedy ones

and daily threats of devastation and major calamity.

Help us, dear Lord, to live every day without fear

for you hold us is your loving arms and promise

to be with us in bad times and good, bringing us peace. Amen.

One Alone

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:9-20

This is the "longer" ending of Mark's gospel. We know the first to see Jesus were women, whether it was just one or several, they were there. They returned to the disciples who refused to believe. Yet the women or woman continued to tell the story. Over the years we have honored the many men who were early adopters and believers in the resurrection, but we forget the women who were the first evangelists, the first believers in the resurrected Jesus. Too often, the story is not real until someone of importance tells the story. It reminds us today to listen to the stories of the outsiders, the rejected, the women and children for there might just be new and real evidence of the love of God in Christ.

Blessed Creator, who shares your wonders with us

you make children to restore hope in the elders

and give vision and wisdom to the least likely.

We refuse to believe those who stand alone

we ignore those who do not have power and money

yet you put your heart in the least among us.

List us today from our ignorance and blindness

give us new hearts and new minds to see you

and help us to hear your beautiful stories of the outcasts. Amen.

Terror and Amazement

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8

I have always been amused when someone tell another person, "do not be afraid!" There are many things to be afraid of in this broken world, let alone an angel at the tomb of your friend and teacher. Most humans don't like surprises, especially in times of grief and loss. Jesus' death was so horrid and so public, those images were etched in their minds. They went out to do as tradition prescribed, nothing more. No matter which Gospel tells the story, there is a terrific scene of terror and amazement, and the women carried the astonishing news. God is always the author of amazement and terror, things too wonderful to image. Our limited scope limits our imaginations, and we move always to fear. May we live in this time of amazement and terror, trusting that God is not finished with us yet and there are angels waiting to announce good news.

Wondrous Creator, our beginning and our end

help us move from fear to hope in these days

living with anticipation of new wonders revealed.

You gave us your son who died for us all

and who spoke first to the terrified women

let us be ready to greet you every new morning.

The pains and sorrows of our world are many and deep

we all feel the terror of war and destructive human greed

may we all go out early looking to entertain angels here. Amen.

Easter Day April 5, 2026

Easter Sunday April 5, 2026

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10

He is risen, alleluia! We say or shout this in church on Easter, but we often live, as the disciples did, with fear and huddled together. We live as if we are awaiting the resurrection or visible signs that Jesus is alive. It is surely hard to imagine that Jesus lives in times like these when there is war and cruelty around us. Some of those who claim to be followers are Christ treat others and the earth horribly. That first Easter, the disciples didn't really expect him to live again and were afraid of the authorities. The women, in contrast were faithful, knowing the great risk, and doing what they could to honor him. In stepping out in faith and love, they were able to touch the risen Christ first. As the guards stood by in shock, these women witnessed the greatest miracle and the promise of new life for all. May we live with new lives and despite all of the worries we have, be like those women, fearless and faithful always. He is risen, indeed!

Wondrous Creator, who gave us moon and sun

you also gave us new life in your risen Son.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

We hide from trouble and pray in the dark

while those women went anyway for love's sake.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

You promised new life and give it daily

yet we like to put on fears like an old coat.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

That glorious first Easter morning the women

were faithful and witnessed your new life.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

The world needs good news and new life

help us see beyond our troubles to your face.

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times.

You tell everyone of us all to be not afraid

help us bring new life and love to our world. 

Risen Lord, make us fearless and faithful at all times. Amen.

Good Friday 2026

                      Good Friday - The Passion of Christ

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, "You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?" They answered, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews replied, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, "I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" They shouted in reply, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another passage of scripture says, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced." After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 18:1-19:42

The story of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, torture and excruciating crucifixion is one we ache to look away from, get past so we can hide eggs, eat candy, put on our finest and celebrate Easter. Yet there is no Easter without such complete sacrifice, suffering and death. Real human death. It is natural for us to want to look away and wait until it's over. Yet looking on the face of death and human suffering can give us a small window into the depths of the love of God. We can love our families to the moon and back, but we are loved even more profoundly by our Creator. Dwell today in the ugliness of humanity s we might see the true blessings of divine love and freedom.

                            A Litany for Good Friday

Great Creator, author of all of life's blessings

we look on our greed and our cruelty and weep.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Lord Jesus, your sorrow and pain are so deep

yet you offered your life for these frail humans.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

On the cross they nailed you and tortured you

yet you, Lord Jesus loved us to you very end.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

We are selfish, vain, warlike and full of cruelty

yet you love us and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Help us to look on your cross and not turn away

for your love hangs on the cross today and always.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world.

Make us humble, contrite and forgiving each day

for the world needs your sacrificial love today.

Help us look on your cross, Lord Jesus, by which joy came into the world. Amen.

Wednesday in Holy Week

Then he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’ Mark 12:1-11

The parable about the vineyard owner and his workers is often cited for the real story of Jesus' impending death. He is the respected son killed by the greedy workers. We can think it was a parable for his time and not ours. But we have seen, over and over again, folks running governments and churches who think themselves free from consequences. We think we can take what is not ours and run it better, keeping the profits. The gift of the parables is that they remain current. We are not an agrarian society but the images are helpful for us still. As we prepare for the great drama of the passion this week, may we remember the stories and parables we have been told, living lives of honor and justice.

Gracious Creator, you made us in your image

you gave us free will and creative intellect

and stories to teach us how we should live.

 Yet sometimes we think we are the Creator

forgetting your generosity and your love for us

we take what is not ours and claim it for ourselves.

Lord Jesus, help us prepare our hearts today

make us humble and able to listen and see

you incredible sacrifice for the whole world. Amen.