Mindful Leader

Narrative Lectionary -- Lord, your servant is Listening!

 

This is drawn from 1 Samuel 3: 1-11, and I address brefly the context of the passage at the beginning of the reading.  

Samuel is being advised to "listen" ... and Eli tells him to communicate to God that Samuel is actively listening for God to speak.  That constitutes the core of the reflection/message.  

 

 

Communion Sunday -- September 3, 2017

First Sunday back after nine weeks gone.  The sermon was from 1 Corinthians 11: 24-27 or so and focused on the "big idea" of communion itself.  Take, bless, break, give.  This is also the Sunday where Eugene Peterson (of The Message) meets Ned Flanders (of The Simpsons).  Little longer than I meant for it to be -- was shooting for more like ten to twelve minutes, but ... it takes a while to get the pace and feel back, right?  At least that is the story and I am sticking to it!  

July 9, 2017, Luke 15 Part II, The Parable of the Lost Coin

Pastor Mario continues his sermon series on Luke 15, focusing on verses 8-10. These three verses are often overlooked as it sits between two of the more well known stories in this parable of Jesus. However, these three short verses still speak volumes to us today. We can often understand getting lost in the wilderness, but when something is lost in our home, the frustration, the urgency and determination to find it is all the more amplified. (Think about how you turn your home upside down to find your wallet, keys or glasses).

In this parable, the lost coin is finally found, a party ensues, and the coin can now be used for the purposes intended. Being found by Jesus is a lot like that. We are free to become what God desires us to be as his people. Namely, people who will now gladly go and find others who are lost. What does this parable of woman who lost her coin have to tell us today? Give a listen and know that even when we are lost in house, the one who created us searches for us. Once we are found, the party begins!

July 2, 2017: Luke 15 Part I, The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Have you ever been lost? It's an important question we all must all wrestle with as we consider the three parables. Today's Scritpure reading was from Luke 15:1-7. Jesus tells these stories in response to the Pharisees and Scribes grumbling and complaining about Jesus' social habits. These three stories are meant to be taken as a single unit. In addition to the Pharisees and scribes, we also want to consider the the tax collectors, sinners, and Jesus himself in this famous chapter from Luke's Gospel.

This is the first sermon in a four-week series by Pastor Mario. The first of the three stories begins with a lost sheep in the wilderness and a shepherd who will gladly search until he finds it. This first story ends with a party that the community throws when the lost sheep is found. This story is a glimpse into repentance, reconciliation and restoration. Join us, as we journey together, into the heart of Luke's Gospel and into the heart of Jesus.

*For further reading, see Kenneth Bailey's, The Cross and the Prodigal: Luke 15 Through the Eyes of Middle Eastern Peasants. *

June 25, 2017: Where are We?

Today's Scripture was found in Genesis 3:1-9. Reflections on the first question ever asked in Scritpure as a way to reflect and consider where Hilltop is in 2017. We are called to be an Oasis in the wilderness, a place of refreshing and refuge to those around us. Like the great sculptor, Michaelangelo, who carved art from stone, we too are called to allow God to use to us to call life out for our friends and neighbors. 

June 4, 2017: Pentecost Sunday

Our Scripture reading was found in the Book of Acts 2:1-13. The day in which we remember the outpouring of God's Spirit upon his people. We are reminded that as we remain faithful the narrative that we find in Scripture, the church is called and empowered to to be the face of God's love to the world.