The reading from Luke provides instructions on how to be an evangelist. These instructions show us how we to share the Good News and how to install God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

“We are citizens of God’s kingdom. God’s citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. Chief among the rights is freedom. Paul identified this right in his letter to the Christians living in Galatia.”

“There is no where you can go, Jesus won’t be. There is no god forsaken place you or I can end up where Jesus is not already establish permanent residence. And we can never be lost because Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is vigilant and will not rest until every lost sheep is found. Jesus walks with us.”

“Paul shared an important truth with the Christians in Rome. The assumption that suffering is for naught; that nothing good can come from bad things is wrong. Faith in God, makes the opposite assertion true. Great good, transformative experiences, critical insights, and rapid change are, more often than not, byproducts of suffering, hardship, struggle and loss. When we endure suffering with God, good things can come from bad circumstances.”

“What were James and John thinking?  Were they grasping for power or were the sons of Zebedee pursuing sacrificial service?  The Gospel of Mark says James and John approached Jesus.”

“Peter was not alone.  The Gospel of Mark makes it clear, the other disciples also failed to understand who Jesus was and what Jesus needed to do.  Jesus was aware of their failure.  In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus met privately and repeatedly with the disciples. “

“Peter was not alone.  The Gospel of Mark makes it clear, the other disciples also failed to understand who Jesus was and what Jesus needed to do.  Jesus was aware of their failure.  In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus met privately and repeatedly with the disciples. “

“Jesus asked the disciples, who do the people say I am?  They answered: some people say you are John the Baptist resurrected from the dead;  others say you are Elijah returned by the God who took him from earth to heaven in a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses; and still others say you are one in a long line of great prophets.“

“Today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark describes trust in God that is so strong it is unmovable.“

“We hear ‘Happy are they who dwell in the house of the Lord!’ Psalm 84:4.  King Solomon and the people of Israel and Judah were happy.  Construction was done and they were moving the arch of the covenant into the temple.”

“We hear ‘Happy are they who dwell in the house of the Lord!’ Psalm 84:4.  King Solomon and the people of Israel and Judah were happy.  Construction was done and they were moving the arch of the covenant into the temple.”

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Faith in God developed Solomon’s understanding and empowered him to act inaccodance with God’s will.  Solomon became king of Israel and Judah around age 15..“

“Last week we focused on King David.  As we considered the ways David abused the power and privileges God granted him, we came to appreciate the relevance of the Bible. “

“The readings from the Hebrew Scripture (aka Old Testament) for last week and this week sound line soap operas, telenovelas or those true crime story shows.  These Bible passages describe abuse of power, sexual violence, and murder.”