seek the welfare of the city

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Our reading from Jeremiah is the scriptural motto for many people involved in urban ministry. At this point in Judah's history the defeat Jeremiah prophesied has come; most of the political, cultural and spiritual leaders of the nation are in exile in Babylon. God has Jeremiah write a letter to these leaders. The letter doesn't say to mourn (though the people are doing that too); it doesn't say to seek rebellion; instead, it tells the leaders to live life fully in exile. Even though they are in a hostile and strange land they are to engage in ministry and life there fully because that's how their lives will get better in the short to medium term. In the long term God will bring them home, but they shouldn't put their lives on whole to wait.

Our reading from Timothy remind Timothy of the gospel to proclaim, which is Christ himself. Paul also advises Timothy to avoid wrangling over words, which is always timely advice for the church. We can and should talk openly about our differences, but we must not let those differences divide us. We have work to do for God's kingdom, and we can work together instead of fighting over our differences. Even when we are chained or tired or confused, the word of God is not chained. If we take that hopeful, loving word into the world God can do amazing things through us.

God bless,
Sam

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

1These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

4Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.



*Sunday

2 Timothy 2:8-15

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-that is my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful-for he cannot deny himself.

14Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

the cross, greatness and openness

Good morning all,
Today's reading is an interesting collection of sayings on discipleship. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be killed, and again this seems to go totally over their heads. Instead of asking him questions about why this is going to happen or what it means, the disciples get right into arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus reminds them that his community doesn't define greatness the same way the rest of the world does.

John (son of Zebedee, not the Baptist) then reports that they saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' names, but he wasn't part of the group. Jesus tells him not to worry about that because "Whoever is not against you is for you." This outlook opens the way for all kinds of ministry cooperation, even with those who don't share our views. It encourages us to look at others expecting to find common ground instead of being suspicious of people who aren't part of our group. Those are always words the church needs to hear.

God bless,
Sam


Luke 9:43-50
43And all were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” 45But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” 49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”