October 23, 2016

Luke 18:1-14

In our reading for Sunday, Jesus tells the parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge and the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  They revisit Luke’s recurring themes of persistence and humility in Jesus’ teachings.  And I think these parables have a lot to say and a lot to teach us about Election Season. . . .

October 16, 2016

Luke 17:11-19

In our reading for Sunday, Jesus is travelling through hostile territory—Samaria.  Racial tensions between Jews and Samaritans run high.  And here is Jesus right in the middle of it.  In this story, 10 lepers ask for mercy, and Jesus heals them.  But only 1 leper—a Samaritan—returns to offer gratitude.  We will consider grace from unexpected places; the relationship between gratitude and forgiveness; what “healing” means in this story.