Trinity Connections

February 2

“You are the salt of the earth…”

“You are the light of the world…”

Matthew 5:13a, 14a

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a pretty high opinion of you.

Yes, you.

He doesn’t say “Some of you are…” he says that “you are” ...the salt of the earth ...the light of the world.

It is difficult to keep a reflection on these words brief…

I will try.

Think about this as an announcement of the wonder that is you.

Consider it a wonderful enlistment in God’s reign of love in the world.

For, you see. You are - in the opinion of Jesus Christ our Lord - quite an extraordinary gift to the world, formed and created and sent from God’s own love.

Peace, Pastor Phil

February 1

“You are the salt of the earth…”

Matthew 5:13a

On Sunday we hear from the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus declares that you are the salt of the earth. Preachers are quick to point out that Jesus does not encourage us to BECOME salt of the earth.

He announces that it is so.

I have a suspicion that your standing as Salt of the Earth is grounded in the fact that God loves you, and has called you to live in that love always, and to share it with generosity.

This quote form Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber says much the same thing:

And this is it. This is the life we get here on earth.

We get to give away what we receive.

We get to believe in each other.

We get to forgive and be forgiven.

We get to love imperfectly.

And we never know what effect it will have

for years to come.

And all of it…

all of  it is completely worth it.”

Nadia Bolz-Weber, Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, p. 171

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

January 30

O LORD, who may abide in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Psalm 15:1

Here is a nice prayer from the devotional Bread for the Day.

Holy God,

your mercy and forgiveness invite us into your presence.

As you have made us new,

so also make us into signs of your righteousness for others. Fill us with kindness, integrity, and mercy

for the sake of our neighbors.

Amen

A blessed week to you, stay warm! Pastor Phil

Bread for the Day, Augsburg Fortress, 2022

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

January 29

I hope to see you at worship today at 8:30 or 11:00 The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day for today:

Holy God, you confound the world's wisdom

in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart.

Give us such a hunger and thirst for justice,

and perseverance in striving for peace,

that in our words and deeds

the world may see the life of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Lord.

Amen

January 28

A Prayer inspired by our Gospel reading tomorrow...

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds he went up the mountain.

He began to teach them.

Christ,

our teacher,

you are a

peacemaker.

You hunger and

you thirst for justice.

Yet you are meek and

merciful and strong

and powerful

in all that

counts.

Please be a blest

beatitude for

each of

us.

Let us live in you and

be beatitudes

for one

an-

other.

Copyright © 2023, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Blessings to you today! Pastor Phil

Previous Connections are in the Archive pages