An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

He said to them, “ But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “ You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (from Mt.16:13-20) Have you ever noticed how easy it is to know about someone without really knowing them personally? We do it all the time with celebrities, public figures, and even people we see regularly but never really get to know. In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asks the disciples, “who do you say that I am?” That question still feels amazingly personal today. Imagine the disciples looking at one another, wondering how to answer.  They had heard all the rumors and opinions about Jesus. Some thought Jesus   a prophet, others a teacher sent by God. But Jesus was not interested in public opinion. He wanted to know what His followers believed. That is what makes this passage so relevant.  It is easy to talk about what our parents believe, what our church teaches, or our pastor says. It is much harder to answer Jesus' question for ourselves. ...

Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread  and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said.  “Even the dogs eat the crumbs  that fall from their master’s table . (from  Matthew 15:21-28  ) Sometimes, the most profound spiritual lessons come from the most unexpected places.  In Matthew 15 Jesus withdraws to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon.  There, Jesus meets a Canaanite woman—a cultural outsider—desperately begging Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Initially, the encounter feels irritating. Jesus responds with silence, and the disciples want her dismissed. When she persists, Jesus explains the immediate mission is to "the lost sheep of Israel". Jesus continues with a challenging cultural analogy, declaring it isn't right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. While this sounds harsh in English, the original Greek text reveals a softer tone. Instead of using the common slur for wild street dog...

But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said' “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” (from Matthew 14:22-33 ) Jesus sent the disciples into a storm. That statement may surprise us, but Matthew tells us that Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and head across the lake.  Before long, raging winds and waves tormented them. The sea became their classroom, and the storm became their teacher. As they battled through the night, Jesus came walking on the water and declared, "Take heart; I AM. Do not be afraid. " The phrase translated "It is I" is literally "I AM" ( ego eimi in Greek). Jesus was not merely identifying Himself. He was echoing the divine name God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.” None of us enjoys tests. We would rather learn through comfort than hardship.  Yet some lessons can only be learned in the crucible of trial.  The disciples had seen Jesus feed the five thousand, but they had not yet fully understo...

"Then Jesus ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds."   (from Mt. 14:13-21 ) Every Sunday after worship, our fellowship hall transforms into a space for connection, centered around the humble snack table.  Whether it is laden with homemade baked goods and fresh fruit or stocked with simple store-bought favorites, this table serves as a physical reminder of our church family's generosity. Relying on volunteers to provide what they can, the spread varies weekly . Last Sunday, when the table looked particularly sparse, someone remarked, "There's not much food today."  That simple comment sparked a deeper reflection for me. Often, we treat these snacks as a casual convenience, but I realized there are three essential aspects we sometimes overlook: First, we often forget to offer thanks to ...

  The Mustard Seed's Message of Peace and Justice "Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed— tiny and easily overlooked,  yet growing into a great tree that offers shelter and rest". . (from Mt.13:31-33 ) Peace grows when we choose understanding over division, forgiveness over resentment, and compassion over indifference. This image reminds us that both peace and justice often begin with small, faithful actions that grow beyond what we can imagine Small acts of kindness can calm fears, heal wounds, and bring people together. Justice grows when we choose fairness over favoritism, truth over silence, and courage over convenience. Small acts of integrity can protect the vulnerable, uphold dignity, and create a more welcoming community for all. Like the mustard seed, these choices may seem insignificant at first. Yet each act of peace and justice plants a seed that can grow into something larger—a community where people are respected, protected, and able to flour...

"And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow." Reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, I realize that being "good soil" isn't something I achieve once. It's something I must cultivate every day. Some seasons in my life I was distracted like the path, excited but shallow like the rocky soil, or overwhelmed by worries like the thorny ground. Encouragement comes knowing God is always at work, helping us become more receptive to the Word. One lesson I've learned is that deep roots don't grow overnight. They develop through small, consistent habits. Reading Scripture each day helps me stay connected to God's truth, especially when life feels uncertain. Prayer has become more than a list of requests; it is a conversation where I can bring my fears, hopes, and gratitude before God. I've also discovered that faith grows deeper when practiced.  It's one thing to read about forgiveness, patience, a...

 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,  for I am gentle and humble in heart,  and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (from Matthew 11:29-30 ) “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” is one of Matthew’s most familiar promises, often heard as Christ calling the weary to rest.   Yet we should ask what burdens Jesus means, and what kind of rest he offers.   Some burdens are personal: illness, grief, job loss, and uncertainty about how to provide for those we love.   Others are social and spiritual: destructive words, unjust systems, anxious expectations, and demands that wear down the soul. Into this weariness, Jesus offers more than relief; he offers a yoke that joins us to him and teaches faithful freedom.   In Jesus’ world, a yoke could symbolize obedience to God, especially the practice of Torah. Jesus does not add another crushing demand; he offers life in communion with God, where responsib...

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones will not lose their reward.” (Mt. 10.42) A Cup of Water You can be a flower by the side of the road. You can be a fountain for whoever passes by. You can be a lighthouse where the coast is uncertain. You can be a handrail, a park bench, an umbrella. You can be the voice that does not jeer, that calms, encourages, or thanks. ___________________ Weather Report The sky’s the limit. Led by favorable winds,  opportunities for grace will abound. Though the world is partly cloudy, expect to radiate warmth and light. With thanks to Steve Garnaas-Holmes Unfolding Light www.unfoldinglight.net

  "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground  apart from your Father.  And even the hairs of your head are all counted.  So do not be afraid;  you are of more value than many sparrows." (from Matthew 10.24-39 ) Consider the tiny Sparrow! Sparrows live in grasslands, forests, and cities. They reproduce quickly, raising up to five groups of chicks each season. Aggressive competitors, they nest early and remain for life in colonies of about forty. A male Sparrow’s black breast patch signals rank, giving higher-status males better feeding, territory, mates, and scarce food access. In Jesus’ day there were abundant sparrows which were caught, sold for a penny each, used for food by the poor, sold as food, or as temple sacrifices. So, buying two for a penny meant one was worthless. Yet in Jesus’ day, these tiny, common, cheap, birds were cared for by God. But as Jesus points out, not one falls to the ground without God’s ...

"Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;" (from Psalm 91 ) Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated his firm belief: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Sometimes fear comes from apparent threats, but also from real, extreme threats to mind, body, or spirit. Walter Bruggermann reminds us, “You gotta have a place where you process your fears, because if you don’t process your fears, they will devour you [and] they will immobilize you.” Psalm 91 helps form a place for processing our fears. Dwelling in the Shelter in the Most High, (Hebrew  El Shaddai ) and leaning on the fortress of God in trust is the beginning place. God’s defenses are described through vivid metaphors: protection from hidden traps, deadly pestilence, and terrors of the night, like a fierce mother bird sheltering her young. God promises that guardian...

Lake Willoughby, VT "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (From John 17:1-11 ) Lake Willoughby is the most scenic lake in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont The Lake is surrounded by mountains on either side and fed by cold springs, giving it God's natural beauty. God's gifts in this lake include camping, fishing, sailing, swimming, and ice skating. For me, though, it is more than a scenic lake. As I look across the clear water, through the mountains, and up to the sky above, I am reminded of eternal life. Jesus, however, is speaking of a different kind of eternal life. He is not referring only to something in the future. He is describing eternal life as something we share even now. Eternal life is central John’s Gospel, but modern ideas confuse a richer meaning. Jesus shows God’s love for the world desiring to draw all into God’s own eternity life, which is participation in the very ...

  "The Mooch" “I will not leave you orphaned;  I am coming to you" (from John 14:15-21 ) Have you ever experienced feelings of being lost or abandoned? This is “The Mooch” He earned that name after he appeared at the sliding door of our deck with a forlorn look. Like many feral cats, we have no clue where he came from and how he happened to choose our deck. So, being kind to cats, Elaine fed him. From then on, we could count on his appearance. Sometimes he would stay for an hour, sometimes he would stretch out and enjoy the sun most of the day. His one rule was: don’t try to catch me. One day he didn’t show up. Then he didn’t show up for three days in a row and we concluded something happened to him or he simply decided to move on in search of another deck with a sliding door. Once again, “The “Mooch” was on his own. Jesus, though, made a promise to his disciples: he would not abandon them. It’s hard to get through life without experiencing feeling lost...

 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going,  so how can we know the way?” (from John 14:1-14   )    As I write, it’s the celebration of Route 66’s 100th anniversary. Founded on November 11, 1926, US 66 stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. During the 1930s Dust Bowl, it served as a key migration route and boosted local businesses. Signs and advertising from 1927 made travel easy. Thomas's question to Jesus, “How can we know the way?” reflected his desire to better grasp Jesus’ teachings and understand how to follow them. Just as travelers once relied on Route 66 to guide them west, we rely on spiritual guidance to navigate our own journeys—sometimes finding the path less clear as traditions change or challenges arise. Upon reflection of my personal faith journey with Jesus, I have considered this question throughout my spiritual development and transitions between churches. “How can we know the way?” Initially, the solutions appe...

  "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,." (from Psalm 23 ) Psalm 23 highlights God's comfort and care also inviting us to connect with the deeper radical claims confronting our experiences of suffering, fear, hostility, and alienation. The rural comparation connects strongly with Christians, especially in seeing Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Pointing to God’s ongoing blessing and presence. Awareness of Psalm 23 can hide new meaning in the Psalm. Careful study reveals it as a journey from rest through valleys, always guided by God. For example, there is a real “Valley of the shadow of death” known as the Wadi Qelt. steep-sided desert valley (wadi) in the Judean Desert, extending from near Jerusalem to Jericho. Known as a "valley of the shadow of death" due to its steep, treacherous terrain, considered the setting for the Good Samaritan parable. Travelers on the dangerous 7-mile journey from Jerusalem to Jericho could expect to be beaten and ro...

Hawk's Nest Overview "  Now on that same day  two of disciples were going to a  village called Emmaus,  about seven miles [  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other  about all these things that had h9appened."  (from   Luke 24:13-35 ) The Hawk’s Nest is a scenic, cliff-hanging stretch of NY State Route 97 offering dramatic views of the Delaware River.   Originally a one-lane dirt road built in 1859, it is known for bald eagle sighting, scenic overlook, and its twists and turns.   "Just as the Hawk’s Nest Road winds unpredictably, so too do our days.   For example, one day started off unpredictably, with the electrician arriving at 7:30, followed by the plumber at 8:30, and then a sincere thank you note delivered in person at 9.   "Our current polarized society creates complex, unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to navigate." The Emmaus Road story is one of hope in times of twists and tu...

'Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (from Psalm 16 ) As I sat at the breakfast table this morning enjoying my cup of coffee, I watched two blue birds, several sparrows, a Downey woodpecker, and the usual band of deer make their appearances." Just as a cup holds what sustains us, I choose the Lord to fill my life with meaning and strength each day." When I am looking for a closer, more intimate connection, I read from the Psalms because      “the Lord is my chosen portion and cup” Some Psalms I read over and over, while others I return to less frequently, but each time I reflect on them, my relationship with the Lord deepens. For example, Psalm 16 has comforted me during difficult times, reminding me that I am never alone This has been true for centuries, as the psalms describe the Lords actions in people’s lives, especially in...

  To trap Jesus, the Sadducees who don’t believe in resurrection, asked complicated question about a widow who’d     been married seven times according to Moses Law. Sadducees ask, “Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” Jesus states they are wrong because they do not know the Scriptures or God's power. He explains that in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven . Earthly marriage systems, Jesus says, don’t apply to the resurrected state. The Sadducees basically asked an uninformed question. Over the years I preached on the Resurrection that as a Christian you must believe it   Resurrection is something you conveniently declare during worship. Jesus’ resurrection isn’t something we completely understand. Caroline Lewis tells of the time, after a lecture a woman spoke to her saying, “My cup was empty. Today was my road to Emmau...

John Wesley     And first let us inquire, "What is salvation?" The salvation which is here spoken of is not what is frequently understood by that word, the going to heaven, eternal happiness.  It is not the soul’s going to paradise, termed by our Lord, ‘Abraham’s bosom.’   It is not a blessing which lies on the other side death, or (as we usually speak) in the other world.  The very words of the text itself put this beyond all question.  ‘Ye are saved.’ It is not something at a distance: it is a present thing, a blessing which, through the free mercy of God, ye are now in possession of.  Nay, the words may be rendered, and that with equal propriety, ‘Ye have been saved.’  So that the salvation which is here spoken of might be extended to the entire work of God, from the first dawning of grace in the soul till it is consummated in glory.”  ~ John Wesley (The Scripture Way of Salvation)

“Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind” (from John 9:1-41 ). Otto, a fish in the children’s book, A Fish Out of Water , is overfed even after careful feeding instructions. "When you feed a fish, never feed him a lot. So much and no more! Never more than a spot, or something may happen! You never know what." What happened was Otto outgrew every container until he finally became too large for the town swimming pool. The man born blind story appears to have undergone similar development, as much of the discussion centers on the story of his healing. This is a typical pattern in John. Jesus performs a miracle; people try finding the meaning and usually miss the mark. In the parable, Jesus is asked, “Who sinned?” The question comes from the ancient people’s belief that a sin was committed since there is suffering and sickness. Jesus questions that kind of theological thinking creating a complex answer: “Neith...

   Pozzo, Andrea, 1642-1709 Many of the Samaritans from that town   believed in him because  of the woman’s testimony,  “He told me everything I ever did.” (from John   4:5-42 ) The Well Back in Jesus’ day a wells were used for more than drinking water. A man would go to a new place, meet a woman at the well, and chat about water. The man and woman drink water together, she tells her community about him, the community welcomes him.  This usually results in a wedding. This explains why Jesus talks to the woman about her marriage situation, expecting some kind of marriage story to follow. Remember the well is a well with running water so when Jesus mentions living water, it’s confusing. The Woman The woman shows up around noon probably pushed aside by her community.  She’s unmarried to the one she’s living with and had five husbands. Probably, her marriages ended due to circumstances beyond her control. Yet she’s someone people liste...

“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus' story is more than sorting out Jesus and the Pharisees differences. It’s more than figuring out how Jesus gets the authority to do many “signs”. The Nicodemus story is really about people coming to see and understand the amazing things Jesus does. It’s all about understanding God’s Spirit, following Jesus and wanting to change to see God's kingdom in a new way. Since the Spirit works mysteriously, it’s compared to the wind blowing wherever it wants. It’s about God and people working together, so followers of Jesus notice and experience God’s work through him. The “signs” Jesus does are meant to show God getting involved in the world God made and loved enough to send his Son. Nicodemus’s story is a great example the Spirit’s work. Nicodemus, story makes it clear something’s happenin...