First Sunday in Lent-February 22, 2026

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11

Being tempted is a very big part of being human. As children, we are tempted to steal food or candy from a sibling's portion or take attention away from them. We are often jealous of what others have and are angry that we don't have the same. We are greedy and want more than we are given, whether it's money, beauty or fame. And yet, Jesus in his full humanity was tempted three times by the devil and resisted, even though he was hungry, cold and alone. We all crave to be warm, fed and have company.

The are basic human necessities, and yet our desire for them can control us and eventually destroy us. We don't live with horned devils, yet we are enticed, every moment of every day, to take away from others and have more than we need. Lent is an invitation to examine where our greed and jealousies come from, admitting to them and releasing them from the power they have over our lives. 

Wondrous Creator, you gave us free will

we are autonomous and able to choose for ourselves.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

We give in to the excesses of our greedy times

and pretend it is the only way to fully live.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

Our lives are broken and shamefully undone

we fling insults and barbs as if we have the right.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

You, O Lord, faced all our human temptations

and sent the devil packing as you trusted in God.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

We are empty, lost folks wanting to come home

open your arms to us, the wretched slaves to sin.

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.

You, O Christ, are the great lover of all souls

and in you, Lord, we can rest and be fully fed. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us. Amen.

Holy Father, Protect Them

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:9-19

As a mom, I have spent a great deal of time praying for with and over my children. When they were young, I often prayed as they headed off to school, to school events and sleepovers. I often prayed and still pray for them privately, away from their "oh, mom!" eyes and ears. They are so grown up and I am so proud of them all, but still I pray. Jesus is praying like a mother or a father does. He prays for the ones he loves so deeply, and he prays and intercedes for us now. His perfect love covers our imperfect love and prayers, and he prays alongside us as we pray for those we love. God's protection is real for us in hard and evil times, and in the small but impossible challenges we face daily.

Loving Creator, you love us as perfect parent

as one who brought us into this broken world

and who helps us to daily walk with you.

We stumble and fall, often over our own arrogance

we say we do not need your love to support us

but we cry to you in the night like frightened children.

Hear our cries, O Lord, and help us to be strong now

help us to pray for family, friends and enemies alike

for all God's children fiercely need your love now. Amen.

The Hour Has Come

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:1-8

Jesus was praying, offering himself to God's providence and offering his followers as well. They all suffered together in his passion, his crucifixion and death. None of us are ever ready when a loved one dies or is near death. We want more time, we want them with us forever, don't we? Yet we know we all have to face those times of deep, wrenching loss and our own end.  Our God promises to be with us through it all. We never face life's worst alone even when we feel otherwise. What if during this Lent, we lived our lives as these were our last days? What would we do differently? We don't know when our hour has come but we can be assured that God is with us always.

Wondrous Creator, you formed us in the womb

brought us into the world to live and grow

and walk with us as we toddle through this world.

Human life and all your creation have been devalued

greed has made the forests and the streams denigrated

and we labor every day without hope or possibility.

Yet you, O Lord, give us new life over and over again

promising to renew us as we live for our neighbors

giving us the strength and compassion to world needs now. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 18:9-14

Arrogance, greed and bravado have caused so many of our world's problems. We judge and reject others from the outside without getting to know them, thinking ourselves superior and privileged. Lent gives us the freedom to be honest with ourselves, others and our God. We are all mortal, broken and in need of a Savior. Fortunately, Jesus lived, died and lived again so our sins and cruelty will not drown us. Lent offers us a hand us in this season, a step on the road of honesty and dignity and wholeness. May we all live a holy Lent. offering our failings and pride to Jesus, who holds us in his loving arms.

Wondrous Creator, you loved us from the beginning

and you stay with us despite our rejection of you.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

We judge, criticize and reject neighbors and strangers

while we are blind to our arrogance, greed and cruelty.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

We do not listen with our hearts and with compassion

we look always to compare and to cruelly criticize.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Our dominance and control is our daily obsession

as we try to forget we are completely dependent on you.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Hear our prayer today, dear Lord and forgive us

so that we might turn from all the pain we cause.

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner.

Take our hearts and minds and make them yours

and let compassion and love might flow in this world now. 

Precious Savior, you died for me, be merciful to me, a retched sinner. Amen.

Shrove Tuesday

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 fulfil 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. John 18:28-38

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday depending on your culture and where you live. It is also Chinese New Year, the year of the horse. Many parishes will have pancake suppers, Mardi Gras events and some will have pancake races and pancake tosses. This Tuesday we live on the cusp of great change as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. We are in a new lunar year, and we celebrate with frivolity as our world changes. Traditionally we used of all the fat before the severities of Lent are upon us. In our Gospel today, Jesus and the world is on the edge of his final passion, being examined by Pilate, although we know he is headed for the cross. We are invited today to remember we are always on the brink of something new, God's new possibilities and challenges we never imagined.

Glorious Creator, you bring changes to us

you offer us the space to dance and celebrate

and you love us and we struggle and mourn.

The world takes no notice of your works

hopes are dashed and suffering abounds

yet you are bringing us good new always.

Make us strong so we might face tomorrow

make us tender so we might live today

and help us turn into your changes with great love. Amen.

Denied and Forgiven

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 round 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. John 18:15-27

So today is a holiday, Presidents' Day across the US. Here in Massachusetts today begins a week off for the kids from school. When my children were in school here in the 1980s, they were calling the vacation Energy week, although now, no one here remembers that. When I was a child, we had both Abraham Lincoln's (2/12) and George Washington's birthday (2/22) off from school. In 1971 they were combined and we do little to celebrate either, except to shop. I say all this because today, we read about Peter's adamant denial of Jesus. He pretended to have forgotten the past incredible years in his life. He acted as if he didn't love Jesus and his life had not been transformed by him. We forget and deny so quickly if it works for us. We set aside holy days if they are not convenient. And for Peter, this moment in his life defined everything going forward and Jesus' forgiveness made him the sacrificial leader he became. 

Gracious Creator, you place good leaders in our midst

who help us have deep faith in the most trying times

and who change the course of history with their love.

We stumble, we fall and we deny you every day

yet you pick us up, forgive us and set us on our way

to serve sacrificially so the whole world is renewed.

Help us get up and be those who lead with forgiven hearts

humbly facing each day with prayer and your spirit

so love may flow again on our fractured streets. Amen.

Last Sunday After Epiphany

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 17:1-9

This is Transfiguration Sunday when we read from the Gospel about a mountain top experience of Peter or Simon Bar Jonah, James and John, the "sons of thunder" who were the sons of Zebedee and Salome. These roughhewn fishermen were close with Jesus and were probably not comfortable in the high mountains. They were truly terrified, knocked out of their toughness. They witnessed the true nature of Jesus, the son of God, standing between Elijah and Moses, the true greats of Jewish tradition. They even heard the voice of the Creator, Jesus' father. Jesus spoke to them the often-repeated words, "do not be afraid." From this point on, Jesus would set his face to Jerusalem, to his death on the cross. Great evil was ahead. These days, we have every right to be afraid and yet Jesus reminds us to get up and not be afraid. To face the rough roads ahead with the power of the Spirit and the love of God within us. 

Gracious Creator, you show yourself to us

in the beauty and mystery of your creation.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

You set us on high mountains and in deep waters

to help us to know the depth of your love for us.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Lift us from our fears and worries these days

so we might bring your love to the rough streets.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Give us your strength in this coming season

so we might shine your light in the darkness.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

Turn us from deep worry to high hopes again

so forgiveness and compassion might flourish.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today.

And make us instruments of love and peace 

so we might sing songs of love in hard times.

Precious Savior, reveal your brilliant love to us today. Amen.

Free Indeed

They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ John 8:33-47

It's important in these turbulent times, when truth and freedom seem so challenged, and Christian leaders use scripture to justify outright lies, abuse and discrimination. We can turn and judge them harshly and fall into the same dangerous behavior. It is hard to love and have compassion for those who abuse their authority. It is so hard to watch innocent adults and children be snatched, abused and killed. The world needs us to speak up with love and compassion despite our deep desire to judge, retaliate and mock. We are called to be those who live in truth, who share our freedom with others, and love those we might be uncomfortable around, affording them the same rights we have, the same freedoms that make us free indeed.

Loving Creator, the author of all living being

you send us a stream water, living and free

so we might share your love with others.

We too often keep your blessings to ourselves

thinking by birthright we can hoard freedom

and judge others who are different from us.

Lord, help us dive deep into your living stream

so we might be covered with your grace and truth

and share love and freedom with everyone today. Amen.

Not Left Alone

Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ John 8:21-32

We often flinch and move away from folks who are challenged or in trouble. Even Jesus could not be alone in his ministry, and none of us can do our lives and ministries alone. Traditionally, Indigenous people brought others alone to support, teach and grow together. Folks weren't called weak or strong, less than or incapacitated. We needed each other historically and we need each other now more than ever. God is calling us all in this very fragile time to serve as disciples, to listen to God's living word and to act with truth and compassion, relying on one another. God is calling us to deep listening, deep compassion and constant companionship.

Loving Creator, you put your heart within us

you bring us up in communities of deep faith

and walk with us in the darkest times in history.

These days are uncomfortable and dangerous

we fear the newly arrived and the poorest ones

and have forgotten how to walk with others here.

Lord, lift up our heads so we see the needs here

empower us with your spirit and your truth

so that we might be your disciples here and now. Amen.

Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

Today is the anniversary of the consecration of Barbara Clementine Harris. In 1989, I was in my last year of seminary and was asked to be an usher and carry the silver from our seminary to the venue. We carried it on the T in a duffel bag. What a day it was! Despite the fact that we had rehearsed the night before as to what to do if there was an "incident" as there had been many threats on her life, and protests happened outside and during the ceremony, she became the first woman elected and concentrated as a bishop in the world-wide Anglican communion. Being a woman was a real threat but being a black woman was even more of a threat. I spoke with an elderly woman who had traveled with her daughter throughout the night to be there. She told me that her parents had been born into slavery and here she was, witnessing a black woman becoming a bishop. We cried together. Folks who carry the light of the world, like Bishop Harris, change us all for the good. The church came around slowly, but I am a bishop because she was willing to shine her light and let no one put it out. Be light for this world today in her honor, for the sake of the children who come after us.

Wondrous Creator, you sent the light into the world

your child came so that we too might be light now

and carry light into the darkest corners of our world.

We are weighed down with darkness of all kinds

there is too much violence against hard working folks

and no punishment for the cruelest of abusers.

Help us carry your light today as Barbara once did

help us speak truth to unjust systems and powers

and bring light to this world that has lost hope today. Amen.

Writing in the Sand

Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ John 7:53-8:11

I grew up by the ocean and actually love sand. It is part of life for us. Digging, building castles and writing in the sand were daily activities. Sand was everywhere and we took it home in our bathing suits, our shorts, in our towels, in our hair and on our feet. When we would visit my parents in the summer, my daughters would put sand in their pockets when we were leaving to remind them of life at the ocean. The gift of sand is that the water washes everything away a high tide, and we can start over the next day. The religious leaders brought a woman before Jesus who they were planning to stone. Whatever Jesus wrote made them run away and after they left, he forgave her. What a story for our times. As fingers are pointed in high places, let us remember we can focus on other peoples' sin, and not admit to our own darkness. 

Loving Creator, into all life is renewal

you forgive us when we come to you

and you send us on our way with love.

We want life to be easy and s as we please

meanwhile we like to condemn others

and fail to see the wickedness within us.

Lord Jesus, heal us and send us on our way

reminding us that forgiveness means to sin no more 

and help us not to condemn others but to only love. Amen.

More Living Water

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’ John 7:37-52

“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water." This is when the real troubles start. Jesus has gone to the temple for the festival and is reminding folks that he is living water and that from the heart of believers will flow living water. Living water from people, poor and wealthy alike. life changing water from simple believers, from unlikely places, from people who speak in other tongues and who are very different from us. This infuriated the chief priest and pharisees, who lit into the temple police. Nicodemus, a believer, came to Jesus' defense. Yet their fear and anxiety was already on high alert. A nobody from Galilee cannot be a prophet let alone the messiah they declared. We also live in a time when nobodies shake up the powers that be. Let us be the nobodies whose hearts flow with streams of living water.

Wondrous Creator, who gives us living water

so that we might be refreshed and made clean

full of your love and healing for the world.

Our planet is on fire with angry, fearful hearts

folks whose shame has been brought to light

and who are afraid of the truth telling nobodies.

Help us have hearts full of living waters

may love and forgiveness flow though us

so all might know of your presence here today. Amen.

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - February 8, 2026

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:13-20

This week has been a challenging one. Many times, those in power have used their platforms to spread hate. Unfortunately, this has been true throughout the ages. Jesus knew the cruelty and lawlessness of leadership, both religious and secular. He lived in an occupied country; he was a refugee as a small child and was hated by the religious authorities. He also knew that some of his followers were tempted to do violence and illegal things because of the cruelty of their leaders. Yet he refocused them and called them to be salt and light in times of great evil and darkness, in a society which fostered hate and violence. We are called in this season to be salt and light. Love and compassion in the face of gross cruelty and inhumanity. We have our work cut out for us but let' be brave and let love lead us today.

Gracious Creator, you are salt and light

you bring us out of the deepest darkness

and renew our joy and sweeten our days.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

The world has turned cruel and angry

people spout hate and act violently

yet you call us to be salt and light.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Listen to our cries, oh dear Savior

for we are hopeless in these times.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Lift us from the broken sinking ships

and help us to sing songs of love.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

Put your heart is our hearts, dear Lord

and give us strength to be your light.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light.

For you are love incarnate and joy

and you bless us in every season.

Lord Jesus, fill us with joy again so we might be your salt and light. Amen.

In Secret

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, ‘Where is he?’ And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man’, others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd.’ Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-13

Too many people have to hide these days. Some are hiding in fear because of who they are or who they represent. Some folks legally in this country are hiding for fear of ICE. Throughout history, people have had to hide from the authorities, the government, or even their communities. After removal from our homeland to then Oklahoma territory, our people had to hide who they were. All our traditional ways were outlawed and had to be done in secret. If caught, one could be thrown in jail for many years. Many Native people still hide today and carry their passports when the go out due to their fear of being arrested as "illegal aliens." Jesus was in hiding and went to the festival in secret. It's encouraging to me to imagine Jesus in hiding, in secret with those who are now scared for their lives as he was. He is with us even in the most terrifying and fearful circumstances.

Loving Creator, you bring us into light

when we are fearful and daily terrified

and you dwell with us in our hiding places.

We have come to believe in our own safety

and think our money or our power can save

yet even the most powerful hide from the law.

Help us Lord Jesus, to see you here in hiding

staying with those who are scared and trembling

surrounding the hidden with eternal love and peace. Amen.

Turning Back

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:60-71

There are points in our lives where we make decisions, whether knowingly or not. We walk away, do not respond or pretend not to hear, yet we are making decisions all along. Jesus said hard things to his disciples, and many turned on their heels and fled. Some might have come back but we will never know. A few might have gone for air and come back while others never returned. The life of following Jesus is demanding, and we are called to follow not just when it's easy. These are hard times in which it is hard to choose between following Jesus or taking care and protecting ourselves. We are called to say yes, even in hard times.

Loving Creator, you brought us safely here

loving us in hard times and on glorious days

and you promise to be with us all the way.

We are called to follow you, yet we wander

distracted by the world's woes and our needs

slipping away when things get too hard.

Help us to strap on our boots and follow you

so that love can blossom in these desert times

and you love can be shared in the darkest places. Amen.

Raise Them Up

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. John 6:52-59

Those who held with the tradition of the time could not accept that Jesus was something new and saying things that frightened them. They were comfortable and had control of their lives and families. In the face of change, they argued and challenged, just like we do. But could they hear what is meant to say "I will raise them up on the last day?" How did it feel to hear that, when the world had rejected you and refused to help you up? How glorious those words must have felt to the outcast, the broken, the crippled, the poor and those wandering aimlessly. Jesus saw them and cared for them. He lifted them up in life and promised to lift them up in the afterlife. And his promise is for all of us, everyone, even those who question and struggle.

Gracious Creator, you lift up the struggling

you sing a new song of life to the hopeless

and carry those who cannot walk any more.

We are so worn down from the violence

fear and worry seem to invade us all

and we refuse to listen to the cries of others.

Take our hand, dear Savior, and lift us up

so we might stand tall in violent times

and sing new songs of new life to the weary world. Amen.

I Am the Bread of Life

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; John 6:41-54

Bread in some sort is the staple of life. Bread and water. Of course, there are many more foods, glorious vegetables, meat and vegetable proteins as well as milks and cheeses. Life would be terribly boring and limited if all we consumed was bread and water. Whole channels, televisions shows and competitions are all dedicated to food, recipes and creativity in the kitchen. Yet we can be distracted by all the glitz and glamor and fail to see the essential need in all of us. We ache for meaning, we ache to be known and loved. We ache for more than just basic needs; we ache for eternal connection and lasting relationships. Jesus promises if we simply believe, we will be fed and spiritually full. Life be more than basic survival; our lives will have meaning.

Gracious Creator, you call us your children

provide abundantly for all of our needs

and comfort us when we are afraid.

These days we are scared all the time

the daily chores seem more difficult

and we draw away from our neighbors.

You, Lord, are the still the living bread

and we are aching to be fully fed

so we might serve the world without fear again. Amen.

Groundhog Day

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for I have taken refuge in you; in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by.

I will call upon the Most High God, the God who maintains my cause. 

We will send from heaven and save me; he will confound those who trample upon me; God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.

I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword. 

They have laid a net for my feet, and I am bowed low; they have dug a pit before me but have fallen into it themselves. 

Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, and your glory over all the earth. 

My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and make melody.

Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn. Psalm 57:1-8

Today is Groundhog Day, a silly, fun moment in the dead of winter. A small town, no big city folks new about, becomes the center of attention for one day. Today is also the feast of the Presentation or Candlemas, when we commemorate Jesus' presentation in the temple forty days after his birth to fulfill Jewish law. There is no law of reason for Groundhogs Day, except maybe to give us hope for a quick end to winter. Phil saw his shadows, so six more weeks of Easter. At this time of year, and with all the trauma in our country, we can feel beaten down and overwhelmed. Yet we can rejoice that Jesus is still working, our Savior is not stopped by weather or chill or silly forecasts. His work and weapon is always love, and it cannot be stopped by act of nature since he is the author of all.

Wondrous Creator, who brings light daily

and turns the world so all may see and know

the blessings and challenges of every season.

The darkness is here in our streets and hearts

fear has taken over where love should be

and we cling to foolish predictions and signs.

Help us burrow into your love and promises

make us know you deeply so we might love

and turn the world your world to light once again. Amen.