New Paths Message Board

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Dear Readers, I hope you haven't given up on me. It's been too many weeks since I last posted. No excuses; just an extended hiatus. I'm not in the habit of making New Year's resolutions, but I do hope I can be disciplined enough to spend some time with the lectionary readings each week. This brand-new year of 2010 offers new possibilities, and I hope we can use this space to share reflections as we find our way through the uncharted territory that lies ahead.

Here are the readings for this coming Sunday:
Second Sunday after Christmas Day, January 3, 2010
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:(1-9), 10-18

These passages are full of praise and gratitude for God's overflowing grace. In the Gospel reading we find these words about the Christ who came from God to live among us: "From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16). What does grace mean to you? To me, grace is an extravagant gift -- mercy, acceptance, love -- totally undeserved, lavished upon me. Praise be to God!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2010
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling on the people to repent of their sins and be baptized. The water used in baptism signifies the washing away of sins -- the cleansing and forgiveness for those who are ready to turn to a new way of living. The passage in Luke tells us that Jesus was baptized by John. We know that Jesus later commissioned his disciples to baptize all who would receive his message (Matthew 28:18), but I am not aware of any account of Jesus performing a baptism. Please let me know if I am mistaken! John explained that Jesus would not baptize with water but rather "with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Luke 3:17). Jesus could simply transform lives as people encountered the spark and power of the Holy Spirit in his loving and healing presence. The passage in Acts 8 sheds further light on the difference between baptism by water and what some call "baptism by the Holy Spirit." Baptism is a multifaceted subject with many interpretations and practices. What is most meaningful to you? What has been your experience of baptism?

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

January 17, 2010, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7).

The Quakers (Society of Friends) often say, "There is that of God in every person." This belief leads to a profound respect for the ideas and special abilities ("gifts") of each individual. In South Asian culture the greeting Namaste expresses a similar belief. Namaste is a Sanskrit word that has come to be used in the West, often conveying the meaning that the Spirit in me recognizes and greets the Spirit in you. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste for a fuller discussion of meanings and interpretation.) As we meet and speak with people this week, may we be alert to the presence of the Spirit at work within and through those whose lives touch ours!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 24, 2010
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

"If one member suffers, all suffer together with it..." (1 Cor. 12:26a).

These words strike home this week as we receive wave upon wave of news reports of the terrible devastation and suffering following the earthquake in Haiti. I have just returned from an interfaith gathering in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In the words of Dr. King that were read tonight he stressed the interdependence of humankind as he envisioned "the beloved community" of people from different races, backgrounds, and beliefs living together in peace. Similarly, in the passage from 1 Corinthians in this week's lections, Paul uses the image of one body with many members to make his point of the value of each member, how each one contributes to the whole, and the interdependence that unites us. Our brothers and sisters are suffering in Haiti. May we respond with much compassion and generosity!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 31 , 2010

Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

Last week we read about the body of believers and the variety of spiritual gifts among individual members, each one contributing to the whole body. It follows then that we need to be clear about the particular abilities that we have been given and what tasks God might be calling us to do. When Jeremiah heard God's challenging call, he did not feel adequate to speak as a prophet, but God told him, "Do not be afraid. . . for I am with you..." (Jer. 1:8). In Luke 4 we read of Jesus addressing the crowd in his hometown synagogue with words that expressed his keen sense of mission. Even as these words provoked his listeners, God was with him, and he escaped their rage. (A dramatic and mysterious story!)

What is God calling you to do? Can you trust that God will equip you in every way and deliver you when the going gets tough?

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 7, 2010
Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)
Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

The readings this week give us more stories of people whose lives were changed by responding to God's call to action. Isaiah felt unworthy but divinely empowered to go and speak wherever God would send him. Common fishermen in Galilee were awed by their encounter with Jesus, and at his invitation, they left everything to follow him. Paul saw himself as the least of the apostles because he had been persecuting the church. But he could not escape being chosen by the grace of God to carry abroad the message of the Gospel. God always seems to choose the most unlikely characters to carry out his tasks -- even you and me!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Transfiguration Sunday, February 14, 2010
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43)

The Gospel story of Jesus' transfiguration reminds us of the inexplicable mystery of the Divine Presence. If we ever think that we can wrap our minds around the concept of Deity, then most likely our idea of a Supreme Being would be much too small. I believe we are closer to spiritual truths when we simply live with our questions, minds and hearts open to receive any new glimpses of the mysteries beyond our human understanding.

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

First Sunday in Lent, February 21, 2010
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

The Gospel reading in Luke 4 tells of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. We can imagine him struggling to comprehend his very identity and the ministry God was calling him to undertake as he faced the temptations of power and glory. We begin the 40 days of the season of Lent with this scripture. Lent offers us our own "wilderness" experience, a time to reflect deeply on our own spiritual path, the temptations and byways where we go astray, and the Divine Presence that accompanies, guides and sustains us always.

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Second Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2010
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35

Such a powerful and confident Psalm -- a strong statement of faith for anyone facing serious illness, violence or oppression. I think of the massive suffering in Haiti following the recent earthquake. For those who have lost home, loved ones, and indeed everything -- who now face rains, rape, and spreading disease, what is left to hang onto? What does it take for one who is living in pain, squalor, or fear to "seek . . .to behold the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4)? Can we say with the psalmist, "I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Ps. 27:13)? What is our part in bringing beauty and goodness to an ugly situation?

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Third Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2010
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

What do you make of the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9)? We are expected to lead fruitful lives, fulfilling our human potential. But so often we fall short. And yet our merciful God is always ready to cultivate and nourish us ("dig around" and "put manure on"), giving us another chance. Repent! Make a fresh start! May we be open to the gracious care of the Master Gardener at work in our lives!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 14, 2010
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The promise of forgiveness! Reconciliation! A fresh beginning! The parable of the prodigal son and the forgiving father is a familiar story but one we need to hear again and again. No matter what we have done, no matter how many times we fall short of the mark, when we are truly sorry and ready to turn our lives around and ask for forgiveness, our loving God receives us as a father would embrace a lost child who returns home. Unlike any other religion, Christianity offers us this profound acceptance and homecoming that we call "amazing grace." In Christ we can start over with a clean slate -- a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)!

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 21, 2010
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

Mary honors her dinner guest with an extravagant act of devotion. No criticism or expected propriety would prevent her from pouring out what was in her heart. This is a story to keep with you all week and ponder what it means to you.

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

This coming Sunday is known as Passion/Palm Sunday. The suggested readings reflect the swings of emotion concerning Jesus, from acclamation to accusation. How was it possible for the sentiment of the crowd to turn so completely against Jesus in less than one week?!

The Lectionary offers us more than the usual number of readings to help us grasp the sweep of events and the complexity of the story. We can ask ourselves how we might have responded if we had been part of the crowd in Jerusalem during that momentous week.

Passion/Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010

Luke 19:28-40
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14 - 23:56

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

We begin this week following Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As the tension mounts, the dark drama unfolds, leading to Jesus' excruciating death on Good Friday and the glorious surprise of Resurrection on Easter morning. My pastor said today that Easter is like the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, there is hope and joy awaiting us, but first we must complete that tunnel journey during Holy Week.

Read as much of the story as you can, perhaps a little each day -- or the sweeping events in the Gospel of Luke, Chapters 22 through 24 all in one sitting! There are many lectionary readings to choose from this week:

Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Day), April 4, 2010
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-49

Doris · Virtuoso Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 222

The day after Easter. . . No, Easter isn't over; this is just the beginning! Easter is a renewal, a fresh start, a rebirth. The past is forgiven, the old has passed away, and all things have become new. We celebrate God's abundant love for us that can transform our lives. Hallelujah! Praise be!

Read the post-Resurrection stories of doubt, witness, and belief in the Risen Christ:

Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2010
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31