Joseph Peters-Mathews

January 2: The Second Sunday after Christmas

We have had to give up so many of the things we cherish and have always taken for granted: seeing our aging or dying parents; hugging our newborn grandkids if we are so lucky; the contact we crave and miss with dear friends and family…It would cause Jesus immense agony to accept and bow down to his Father’s wish for him. Jesus had free will to accept or reject. Seems to me that what God asks of us is a far sight easier to say “yes” to.

January 2: The Second Sunday after Christmas Read More »

November 28: The First Sunday of Advent

So where does this leave us? What are we to do until the end of this age and the arrival of an entirely different world? Advent offers us a time to live in the tension between fear and hope. Between fear and hope. It may be a week from now that all ends; it may be another 2000 years. And we continue to harm one another, the planet, the creation.
In the meantime,…… we have been told what to do – love our neighbor, love ourselves, love God. Do not be weighted down by the justifiable fear.

November 28: The First Sunday of Advent Read More »

November 21: The Last Sunday after Pentecost

Whether grieving or celebrating right now, we follow a savior whose kingdom is not of this world because all the kingdoms of this world are so incurably sinful and corrupt. As we listen for Jesus’ voice, we hear that as a truth to which he’s come to testify. Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death and to those in the tombs bestowing eternal life. Yet God’s reign is not fully manifest.

November 21: The Last Sunday after Pentecost Read More »