The Blog

This week’s gospel finds Jesus heading toward Jerusalem and confrontation with the religious and political leaders – a confrontation that leads to his execution. When the people of a Samaritan village along the way do not welcome him, two of his disciples offer to “command fire to come down from heaven and consume them.” Jesus rebukes them and simply moves

O God, You call me to follow. You invite me to embrace your priorities. You ask me to live love and peace.    To seek joy and kindness.    To strive for generosity and gentleness.    To find faithfulness and self-control. You call me to be transformed by following you. Empower me as I keep trying this impossible task.  Amen.

Luke 9:51-62 51 When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they

I am convinced that the people who first heard the healing story in this week’s gospel laughed at its absurd events.  Jesus sails across the sea to a foreign land. Just as he steps off the boat, he encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons.  They’ve been tormenting this man for a long time, driving him to live

God of absurd moments, You surprise me by turning up when I do not expect to find you. You are close when I am in danger. You are with me when I am overwhelmed. You are constant in a world of upheaval and change. Bring me healing and hope when I need them most. Transform me as I struggle and

Your support of Lutheran Campus Ministry is so important.  –Your gift makes it possible for students to gather for prayer and worship, for conversation and community, for service and study.  –Your gift makes it possible for students to learn and grow as people of faith during their college years.  –Your gift makes it possible for students to find pastoral support

Then [Jesus and his disciples] arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted

It took a while for summer-like warmth to truly take hold here in central PA this spring.  We had a bit of nice weather that got our hopes up, but then a week or two of unusually chilly temperatures and rain made many of us despair a little that summer would never come.  Of course, weather patterns changed, temperatures rose,

God of diverse abundance, Help me to notice the joys of each day. Show me the blessings in moments that seem too much or too little. Help me to embrace each moment and its gifts. Teach me to find delight in the blessings that fill my hours. Remind me that my life is filled with rich and diverse blessings. Amen.

The Holy Spirit is all about movement and transformation.  Jesus’ disciples were all together in Jerusalem on the festival of Pentecost.  Because of the festival, the city was filled with people who had come from many countries to celebrate.  Suddenly, the house was filled with sound “like the rush of a violent wind” and tongues like fire rested on each