Weekly Word

Procession of Clergy during an Ordination service. The church celebrates faith in Christ together. It is difficult for us to relate to biblical events like Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The words like Hosanna, and actions like riding on a donkey, are not exactly something we use or encounter today. Word If Jesus were to live today to tell us about God beginning to take charge of governing the world it would be all over Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. God’s representative might come riding on a bicycle instead in a limousine. And people would probably wave their cell phones to express their excitement. Followers of the new visionary leader would shout something like: ‘Hey, yo! Welcome the Boss from heaven! Get ready for some serious change!’ Connection So if it so happened that Jesus were to come through our town on the way to die and rise so we would be freed to live in God’s realm here on earth and forever in heaven, would you even notice, would you believe hi

My wife and I showed our devotion to Jesus by packing food for starving children. 'Why give money to World Hunger when they should help themselves and there’s people to take care of your own family or church or country?’ Or, one could say, why waste expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet when you could have used the money to feed the poor? That’s rational, selfish, and sarcastic Judas speaking to willfully discredit Mary. Mary however, responded with love, generosity, and extravagant devotion. Word The lectionary gospel on the Sunday before Holy Week tells of Mary sharing her devotion for Jesus. She uses expensive oil, and outrageously, her hair and tears, to express her love, her service, her faith in Jesus. While they are at dinner, “Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.” (John 12:3) Guess what? Mary doesn’t care about the cost, or what other people might say. She does what feels right to her.

Playing with my nieces when they were young brought me joy. When we hear joy, we might think of Christmas, Joy to the World, excitement of presents. But not God’s gracious acceptance, forgiveness of sins, or change of life through faith each and every day. We Lutherans may know God’s grace better than anyone else but have difficulty showing it on our faces. Lent is an invitation to renew our faith through joy and show it through our daily actions. What brings you joy? How do you show it? Did you ever wonder what brings joy to God? God rejoices when we appreciate God’s gifts, love one another, and express our worship to God. Word The story of Jesus about a Father and his two sons describes numerous aspects of our relationship with God. One of them is joy. When the lost son returns, his Father runs to welcome and kiss him. And the father wants to share his joy, by giving a party for everyone, and talking to his older son who feels slighted. “The father said to him, ‘Son