He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. —Luke 1:51b-53 Even before his birth, Jesus is turning the world upside down. Mary of Nazareth […]
So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us. —Romans 12:5-6b The variety on display in creation—plant and animal, land and sea, sky and space—expresses divine delight, generosity, and intent. God created a diverse […]
If the church is indeed to be a long table with a seat for everyone, then people of all lived experiences must feel deeply the inclusion promised to them by Jesus. Jesus prays three times in John 17 “that they may all be one.” In the climactic conclusion of his last supper with the disciples, […]
If you feel alone sometimes or even much of the time, you are—as the phrase goes—“not alone.” Despite the hyperconnectivity that technology offers today, even those of us who belong to vibrant communities in our schools, churches, workplaces, and neighborhoods can experience isolation, loneliness, and even despair. And our experiences of isolation are easily exacerbated […]
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. —John 15:5 In the transformational work we have been doing at Luther Seminary in recent years, it is clear that we are called to be a seminary […]
“Up until that time, I’d only been a liturgist in the church. I’d never done anything like a reflection. It was very daunting, and I was quite scared. I thought my voice would get high and squeaky and all that. But for some reason, it felt like this was the place I needed to be, […]