Ordinary Time: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Lamentations 2:8-15

We see the ruin of Jerusalem. We see mothers and children weeping. We see pain and hurt and loss. We see all those toss aside by the pain around. We destruction. We see grief. One of the reasons I love the Bible so is that every emotion we ever feel, we can find within. There are times in our lives we feel like those in the text today that have lost it all. We feel as though our world has crumbled. We feel as though all is lost. We feel pain of terrible loss. We see today that we are not the only people in history to feel that way. We see that others have hurt as we hurt. We see that loss is not just upon us, but it's upon many.

And, as we continue to read Lamentations, we are reminded that God doesn't leave us in our loss, God doesn't forsake us. God loves and cares for us, even in great sadness.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

This passage is part of the graveside service out of the United Methodist Church. I've read this passage at many gravesides and each time I do, it gives me great hope. There is a mystery to what God is doing. But, this body is not made for eternity. The soul is. And, even in our moments of grief, we Christians need to remember - death has been swallowed up by victory! Where oh death is your sting? It has been defeated by the cross and the empty grave! Through Christ, we have the victory not just over sin, but over even death! Praise be to God.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 12:1-14

We see that Jesus, above all, loved people. He understood that the highest calling of the Law and of religion in general is to love. Love God, love each other. That is what He did while upon the earth, and that is what He calls us to each day. Love. Love God and love our neighbor.