Rev. Valerie's Reveille

Chapters 21-23 of the Gospel of Luke Although I grew up in the Church (from about 2 nd grade), I don’t recall hearing Jesus’s suffering called “The Passion.”   I think we might have learned that term in Confirmation Class (6 th grade), but it didn’t make much sense to me as the word “passion” seemed to be what was on the soap operas my mother wouldn’t let me watch. As far as I knew, Jesus didn’t even have a girlfriend! I must admit that referring to Jesus’s Passion is still a bit jarring to me as popular culture continues to use that word to connote intense romantic love.   And yet, there is an elegance to that as well, as Jesus is passionate in his love for the Church, the beloved community of believers, for whom he sacrificed his life. The intensity of emotions that runs through these 3 chapters underscores the depth of his devotion and desire to love us even when we don’t deserve it.   It is difficult to read the events that lead to Jesus’s execution, but i...

Luke Chapters 17-20 The Bible is a fascinating collection of books that invite the reader to delve into the “Big Questions” (Who am I? What are we? Why are we here?).   As such, the Bible as a whole can be a bit intimidating or overwhelming, which is why we usually approach it in small, almost bite sized pieces in order to digest what the text is offering us.   Indeed, most of the readings we use in our Sunday Lectionary are less than 15 verses long. Even at that, we read four different passages each Sunday, so that is a LOT of Scripture to consider AND apply in our lives.   That is why choosing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is a life-long commitment, as we need all that time to take in all he had to teach. It is also true that as we ourselves mature and grow throughout our lives, our understanding of Scripture changes as well.   Again, in our Sunday Lectionary, we rotate through the 4 Gospels every 3 years (not reading all of them, but most).   In ...

Luke Chapters 13-16 I have been using my blog during Lent to summarize and reflect on the Gospel of Luke as The Good Book Club has organized its reading during this season.   And I will do that today as well, but I am also mindful that today is the 1-month anniversary of the Parkland, FL shooting, for which our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. William “Chip” Stokes (a founding member of Bishops United Against Gun Violence), has called for a Day of Lamentation at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.   As I write this, he and others are there offering prayers and repentance for our neglect of human rights by our own hands and laws.   The tag line for the event is, “First we pray, then we act,” which is an important reminder that justice requires both.   I pray you will join with the Bishop and me to offer our own prayers for guidance of how best to support responsible gun ownership and stop mass shootings. As always, Scripture is the source for our learning and understanding of...

Gospel of Luke Chapters 10-12 Just like all humans, Jesus is complicated.   While many may think of him as a benevolent friend with an avuncular smile and hands offering a blessing, the Scriptures offer a much more vivid and demanding depiction of our Savior.   As we get into the heart of Luke’s Gospel, we bear witness to the imperative nature of Jesus’ message and ministry – that decisions must be made and there will be a cost. One of the unique biblical stories in the Gospel of Luke is the sending of the 70 disciples in pairs in Chapter 10.   This is the first glimpse we have of the earliest missionaries sharing Jesus’ message of love, health and salvation without Jesus himself being present. The disciples are instructed to take nothing with them for their material comfort, but simply present themselves and their message to the various towns. If what they say is accepted – on faith – then the hearers will receive the benefits of God’s realm: peace, health and ...