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We are about a week into 2025. As with every new calendar year, I find myself filled with anticipation. I can’t help but wonder what the year will hold. Will I look back on it next December fondly, fearfully, angrily, or a mixture of all three?
At the beginning of the year, just like in this week’s Gospel reading, we are filled with anticipation and the unknown. We will celebrate the…
Posted by svanbaale |
This week’s Gospel begins with some strong words. John addresses the crowd who have come to be baptized by him with the words, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” I am sure those harsh words got their attention!
He goes on to say, “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
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The month of November in the church calendar starts with All Saints Day and ends with or near Advent, depending on the year. Between those, Christ the King Sunday is also observed. We also have the American holiday of Thanksgiving, a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate our gratitude and blessings, and Election Day, which may or may not be a time to celebrate, depending if your chosen…
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At the end of this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus reiterates what he said at the end of last week’s Gospel in Mark 10:31, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
James and John come before Jesus with an arrogant request, asking to be seated at his right and left. They want to be closest to him.
Instead of granting their request, Jesus repeats what…
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On Sept. 17 the Good Faith Network, including many of you, attended the Lenexa City Council meeting to advocate for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Homeless Services Center. At 1:30 a.m. the council voted, 5 to 2, and denied the SUP. I was disappointed; our neighbors in this county desperately need this center, and this opportunity slipped away.
I have had many of you share with me…
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Yesterday was Patriot Day. Three months after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Congress approved a joint resolution designating Sept. 11 as Patriot Day. Every year, we pause to remember the lives lost and changed on that late summer morning. It was established to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and recognize the brave first responders who risked their lives that day. Some came…
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Posted by svanbaale |
Believe it or not, we are in the last few weeks of the summer of 2024. On the calendar, we still have two months of summer. But for those of us with kids in school, school is right around the corner.
It seems school supplies, like most things, are put on store shelves earlier and earlier each year. I saw the shelves being filled at Walmart before the Fourth of July. I know it happens every…
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The Gospel for this Sunday (Mark 5:21-43) tells of two healings that Jesus performed on females. Besides having this in common, both the unnamed woman who had a hemorrhage and Jairus, father of the girl who was near death, risked a lot to come to ask Jesus for his healing touch. Jesus also risked a lot, by having contact with two people considered unclean by Jewish laws in the Old Testament.
…Posted by svanbaale |
This Sunday is Pentecost. We commemorate the birth of the church and wear red.
The Gospel for this Sunday is John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Advocate or Helper.
The disciples were sad that Jesus was leaving, but he tells them not to despair, for he needs to leave so the Advocate can come.
“Nevertheless I tell…