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Gospel for November 12, 2006
(from the 12th chapter of Mark)
After engaging in a series of public
arguments with religious leaders in the temple, Jesus contrasts the proud and
evil ways of those leaders with the sacrificial humility and poverty of the
widow.
As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in
long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the
best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour
widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will
receive the greater condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury, and
watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large
sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth
a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell
you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the
treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their
abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had
to live on."
Gospel for November 19, 2006
(from the 13th chapter of Mark)
In the last week of his life, Jesus warned
his disciples concerning trials that were to come upon them and upon the world.
He exhorts the listener: Do not be alarmed.
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look,
Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!" Then Jesus asked him,
"Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon
another; all will be thrown down."
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives
opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, Tell
us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about
to be accomplished? Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one
leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will
lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed;
this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various
places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
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Pericope Partners by Kathryn Sime As we sat and talked with Godfrey, he held a squirmy chicken tightly on his lap. At the end of our visit, Godfrey whispered nervously in our host’s ear, who smiled and said to us, “Because you have given gifts, Godfrey has a gift for you. He would like you to have this chicken.” “Godfrey,” we asked, “How many chickens do you have?” His answer stunned us. “Just two,” he replied. Godfrey, this child of God with all the responsibility of an adult, was going to give us 50 percent of his potential for household income, 50 percent of his bank account. Nearly half of all he owned was wrapped up in this bedraggled and beautiful chicken. Godfrey and the widow from Mark’s Gospel both gave gifts from their
heart that defy understanding. God blesses and multiplies even our humbler
offerings, for they, too, come from the heart. Thanks be to God! The 24th Sunday after Pentecost (November 19, 2006 – Proper 28) by Molly Knutson-Keller “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of
joy.” — Psalm 16:11 Suddenly someone yelled out my name: “Pastor Molly?” I turned and recognized Kate, a youth from the church where I served as an intern in northern California, now a junior at SDSU. What a small world! We embraced, caught up, and I invited her to stop by the Lutheran Center. Not only did Kate stop by, she moved into the Lutheran Center as peer minister. She needed to find a healthy living situation. Her presence became a vital addition to the ministry. What a gift it was that Kate and I happened to be on the same path that first day. Christian community is a blessing. It reaches not only within our
church walls, but across states, countries and continents. Lutheran Campus
Ministry is our church’s way of extending the gift of Christian
community and connectedness. It is one way the church fulfills our
baptismal promise to walk with people through all times of life, including
young adult years. God shows us the path of life and, walking together, we
find deep joy. |
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Last Revised: Tuesday, November 8, 2006