Changed By God To Make A Difference For God

God's created order is the only reality. It is what it is. We are free to accept God's reality or oppose it it. We can ignore it, but that doesn't change the fact that God's created order is what it is. And one of the realities within God's created order is that it is not good for man to be alone. When we ignore this reality all kinds of nasty stuff starts happening to us. Check out what Fr. Bowser has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are Genesis 2.18-24; Psalm 8; Hebrews 1.1-4, 2.5-12; Mark 10.2-16.

How should Christians respond when they see evildoers get their just desserts? Celebrate that the bad guys got theirs? It's a natural inclination, after all. Think of the celebration in this country that occurred when bin Laden was killed. Of course, not everyone celebrating was a Christian, but you get the point. What about Jesus' inconvenient little command to love our enemies and forgive them? Where does that come into play? What are we to do? Must we simply deny our desire for justice to be served? Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are Esther 7.1-6, 9-10, 9.20-22; Psalm 124; James 5.13-20; Mark 9.38-50.

The Nones have spoken. They stay away from becoming part of Christ's body, the Church, because they see an inconsistency in Christians' speech and behavior. James was familiar with this problem too. Is there a solution? Glad you asked. Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are Proverbs 31.10-31; Psalm 1; James 3.13-4.10; Mark 9.30-37.

Have you ever wondered who Lady Wisdom is and what the commodity she peddles is all about? Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Doesn't sound like much fun there. Why would we want to act and speak wisely? Part of the answer can be found in the fact that God is our Creator. Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Your reaction to it will tell you a lot about how humble or proud you are! Lectionary texts for today are Proverbs 1.20-33; Psalm 19.1-14; James 3.1-12; Mark 8.27-38.

In today's sermon, Fr. Feister talks about why there is nothing too great for Jesus to overcome. Check it out and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2.1-17; Mark 7.24-37.

Listen to your heart, we are told, and be true to yourself. Careful what you wish for, Jesus replies, you will certainly get it and the results will be disastrous, not just for you but for others. Why? Listen to what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and prayerfully consider it. Your ultimate happiness will be found in how well you listen to Jesus' teaching here. Lectionary texts for today are Song of Solomon 2.8-13; Psalm 45.1-2, 7-10; James 1.17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

Jesus had words of eternal life, but they were hard words for the crowds of his day to hear. They still are for us as well. What to do? Listen to what Fr. Sang has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are 1 Kings 8.1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84; Ephesians 6.10-20; John 6.56-69.

Paul tells us not to get drunk but to be filled with the Spirit. What? More rules to follow? More rain on our parade of pursuing happiness? No indeed. What our lessons address today is the art of being wise. But in whose wisdom? This isn't an exercise in theological speculation. The wisdom we live by determines the extent to which we find contentment, peace, and purpose for living. Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are 1 Kings 2.10-12; 3.3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5.15-20; John 6.51-58.

Paul has told us that as Jesus' body, the Church, we are given the task to proclaim the gospel to even the heavenly powers. Now in today's epistle lesson, he begins to lay out what that looks like on the ground, and it starts with how we treat each other as members of Jesus' body. But what is the basis for Paul's claim? Well, for starters Paul is not talking about our old fallen and selfish patterns of living. He's got something else in mind. Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are 2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4.25-5.2; John 6.35, 41-51.

Paul tells us that we must grow up in Christ. In the aftermath of his sordid affair with another man's wife, King David would probably agree. But why? Isn't it perfectly fine if we grow old but stay immature indefinitely? Not if we want to be part of something much bigger than us, namely Christ's body, the Church! Check out what Fr. Maney has to say about it all and see what you think. Lectionary texts for today are 2 Samuel 11.26-12.13a; Psalm 51.1-13; Ephesians 4.1-16; John 6.24-35.