Proper 25 Year B

Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22), Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52

Our gospel today takes place at a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. Up until now Jesus has been traveling around with his disciples, teaching and healing. The disciples have been confused at times, but continue to follow Jesus because they believe he is the Messiah.  Even though they continue in this belief and continue to follow Jesus, they do not understand that their time with Jesus is limited.

In the stories that lead up to today’s gospel reading, Jesus has been telling the disciples about the suffering he is to experience and endure.  However, the disciples continue to deny it.  They deny it so much so that in the gospel reading we heard last week, James and John ask Jesus if they can be honored by him and to sit at his right and at his left.  Jesus rebukes them and says that he came to serve not to be served and those who wish to be honored as he is honored must do the same.  

They must be the servant of all.  

In today’s gospel Jesus continues to redirect the disciples by showing them his path, his path of healing and his path that leads to Jerusalem. Today’s gospel is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus because it is the end of his ministry outside of Jerusalem.

Now that we have some context, let’s take a closer look at today’s gospel…

Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

Halloween can be a scary time of year. Most stores have large displays of creepy looking things or items that make scary noises when you walk past them. By this point in the month some of your neighbors, and maybe even yourself, have decorated your yards in celebration. Although some children find great fun in this time of year (what's not to like about getting loads of candy), it can also be frightening to see ghouls, spider webs, and tombstones around. With the potential fear that comes with Halloween, it is a great time to remind our children that God is always with them so they do not need to be really afraid of the things they see this month or while trick-or-treating. To help illustrate this point talk with your children about how God is the light in the darkness and a reminder of that while trick-or-treating is the lights that we see in the jack-o-lanterns. Another way to illustrate this with your children is to talk about the hidden treasures that God has provided in the seeds inside of a pumpkin. Save the seeds while you carve your pumpkin to make the tasty snack below.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds!

1.Boil pumpkin seeds in water for 7 minutes.

2.Drain them well and lay on paper toweling to

   absorb any remaining water.

3.Spread seeds in bottom of a shallow cake pan.

4.For each cup of seeds, melt 1 tablespoon of

   butter and mix with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire

   sauce. Pour this on seeds and shake pan gently

   to coat seeds evenly.

5.Sprinkle with salt or seasoned salt.

6.Bake at 325° for 30 minutes or until nearly dry.

   Stir them occasionally while baking.

7.Enjoy seeds after they cool!

Peace,

Lauren+

Proper 23 Year B

Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31

Fun gospel we have today…

          Ok so maybe fun isn’t the right word. How about uncomfortable? That seems like a better fit. Today’s gospel is uncomfortable for us to hear because on the surface we hear that wealthy people cannot get into heaven.  Now that is an interesting idea. We also hear that we must give up everything to follow Jesus. For the rich young man, he must give up his wealth.  For the disciples, they must give up their families, their livelihoods and leave everything behind for Jesus. What must we give up in order to live more fully into our relationship with Jesus?

          We live in a society where the more you have, the more you are worth.  Our status is measured by what we have in our bank accounts rather than what do with our resources.   What you have a lot of is not always important.  One might have a few houses or closets full of clothes, many cars or a large personal library, lots of pets or a collection of fine jewelry.  Our want to have more is influenced by what we see in the media and what we see in our friends and colleagues.  

          We are bombarded by ads on the TV, on billboards, on the radio all telling us that we need this fancy new car or the largest TV in the neighborhood.  If we do not have these items then we are cast out to the fringes of society.  This want to be more “normal” or to live like everyone else leads us to serve many masters in our search to have more things.

          This is exactly what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel reading.  We are warned about letting wealth, possessions or ourselves get in the way of our relationship with God.  A book I recently read suggests that, “If giving away possessions in almsgiving secures a place with God, the worship of possessions and a clinging to them is ultimate separation from God.”[1] If we place our possessions on a higher level than our relationship with God then we will only grow further and further from God’s love.  That is why when the man in today’s gospel asks Jesus what he must do to get into heaven, Jesus tells him to sell all that he has and give the money to the poor.  Is he suggesting that we must give up all of our wealth?  I do not think so, but that the money that is not needed for living should be given to those in need.  On a broader level Jesus is telling him to let go of what is separating him from God and to embrace the life of discipleship.  So too must we let go what is separating us from God.