An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

"For many are called, but few are chosen.” (from Matthew 22:1-14 ) My nephew's wedding was beautiful. Family and friends gathering beneath a willow tree beside a pond, the bride in a flowing white gown, the groom wearing a shirt, tie, and jeans. Later, we enjoyed delicious food, and fellowship in a renovated barn decorated with lights. The invitations mailed weeks in advance so everyone could prepare. That wedding got me thinking about Jesus' Wedding Feast Parable in Matthew 22:1-14. Weddings in Jesus' day were hugely different.  They were community celebrations that often lasting days. When Jesus compared God's kingdom to a wedding banquet, the listeners immediately understood the honor, joy and excitement of receiving an invitation. In the parable, the king prepares a great feast for his son, but many invited guests refuse to come. Some busy with everyday responsibilities; Others simply not interested. Instead of canceling the celebration, the kin...

Brookgreen gardens, S.C. "What do you think?  A man had two sons; he went to the first and said,  ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’   He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went.  The father went to the second and said the same,  and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?" (from Mt. 21:23-32 ) After longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away, many wondered who could possibly replace him.  Ken Jennings, famous for his record 74-game winning streak, seemed an unlikely choice to some. Yet what many saw as a limitation became his greatest strength.  The former contestant became the host, proving that people often overlook what is right in front of them. That story recalls Jesus' teaching in Matthew 21:33-46. In this parable, a vineyard owner sends servants to collect fruit from his tenants.  Instead of honoring the owner, the tenants abuse and kill them....

Tillman Ravine Good and upright is the Lord ;      therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right      and teaches them his way. (from Psalm 25  ) Life has a weird way of throwing us into total chaos. That's what happened when I used GPS going to my nephew’s wedding.  A one-hour trip took almost 4 hours mostly because I'm not familiar with GPS resulting in feeling completely disoriented, super anxious, with no idea what to do next. Elaine took a roadmap from the glove compartment which gave us some clue about what to do next. Reading these verses from Psalm 25 helped me see a divine roadmap for direction and peace. In this honest prayer, King David shows us three simple mind shifts to make when we need a breakthrough: Shift your focus: David starts by praying using verse 1: "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."   When stress hits, we tend to obsess over worst-case scenarios. Trusting God doesn’t mean your p...

"And should I not be concerned about  Nineveh,  that great city, in which there are  more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left and also many animals?” (From  Jonah 3:10-4:11 ) What if the most challenging part of the Bible isn’t a strict rule, but the fact that God loves the people we find hardest to like? "The Jonah Complex" is just a fancy term for a very human habit: wrapping ourselves up in our own little world and closing our hearts to people who are different from us. This happened at the very end of Jonah’s story in 4:11. God asks a question that really cuts to the heart: "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?" Jonah, furious because God chose to forgive Nineveh, a city known for being Israel’s cruel enemy, threw a tantrum because a leafy plant providing him shade withered and died. God gently points out how backward Jonah's priorities are. Jonah is heartbroken over a short-lived plant...

  Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?'" (From Mt.18:21-35 ) Sin, Grace, and forgiveness are important themes in Christianity. Sin is anything that goes against God's will, including wrong actions, harmful thoughts, and selfish choices. The Bible teaches that everyone sins. As Romans 3:23 (NRSVue) states, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sin can damage our relationship with God and with other people, often leading to guilt, pain, and broken relationships. However, through God's grace, undeserved love and mercy, given freely, people are offered forgiveness and a fresh start. A key passage is Peter asking Jesus if there was a limit to forgiveness. Jesus responded that forgiveness should be offered again and again, showing that God's mercy has no limits. This teaches Christians that forgiving others is an important part of ...

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end ." ( from Psalm 119:33-40 ) There is a scary but exciting feeling when life forces us to change, hoist our sails and head into open, unknown waters. We stand at the edge of what we know, looking at a future that promises new beginnings but also unexpected challenges. It is exciting to run after new goals, but without a strong anchor, the winds of change can easily make us feel lost and broken. Whether starting a new job, moving to a new town, or dealing with a sad loss, big changes bring a lot of uncertainty. The familiar life we knew disappears, leaving us to build a new routine in a totally strange place. During these shaky times, Psalm 119:33 gives us the steady anchor we need  "Teach me, Lord, the way of your statutes, that I may observe it to the end." When everything around you is changing, your heart needs something that stays the same. This verse is a perfect prayer for times of ch...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (from Matthew 16:21-28 ) In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus gives a challenge that seems backward: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and accept their cross and follow me.”   Jesus then says that whoever tries to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Jesus sake will find it. In a world that tells us to put ourselves first, Jesus calls us to put our Redeemer first. Denying ourselves means choosing God's way over our own desires. Taking up our cross means following Jesus even when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or costly. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a powerful, was a German pastor during World War II. As Adolf Hitler's influence grew, many people stayed silent out of fear. Bonhoeffer, however, believed that fo...

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 ...