Posts by Bob Rhodes (Page 6)

As we journey into summer and the season after Pentecost, we follow the arrival of the Holy Spirit with a celebration of the mysterious Trinity. The idea of the Trinity has surely inspired volumes of works simply to explain its theological concept. It is difficult for us to understand how God can be both infinitely whole and also three completely separate persons (Creator, Christ, Spirit). Perhaps the phrase from John below says it well: “you can’t handle it now.” And…

Pentecost Sunday is a long-standing tradition in Christian churches because it is the moment of the arrival of God’s Holy Spirit among the faithful followers. Classical Christian theology affirms God in trinity, and this moment brings completion to the triune presence. God’s Spirit hasn’t been entirely absent. Indeed, we read throughout the Hebrew Bible about God’s spirit. We read about the Spirit descending like a dove at Jesus’ baptism. But Pentecost is different, and perhaps there is a new understanding…

We are concluding our Worship series titled “The Grace of Les Misérables,” based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. We have explored themes of grace, rigid justice, the plight of the underprivileged, love, and advocacy. As we conclude this week, we find parallel imagery and inspiration in Victor Hugo’s masterpiece alongside the garden’s of sacred text. The bishop who gifts Valjean with silver has a daily practice of walking in a garden. As Valjean raises…

We are nearing the end of our Worship series titled “The Grace of Les Misérables,” based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. We have explored themes of grace, rigid justice, the plight of the underprivileged, and love. This week we consider the young students—they might consider themselves revolutionaries—to whom Cosette becomes inextricably drawn. These idealists call themselves “Les Amis de l’ABC,” an interesting name that seems to indicate that their voices are raised on behalf…

This week we continue our Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. The first week, we focused on Jean Valjean and grace, and the second week we looked at the rigidity of Javert. This week is a bit more “gray” as we look at the life and struggles of Fantine, a woman who fell in love before finding herself a single mother. Our heart is with single…

This week we begin Eastertide and a new Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. This opening week of the series, we focus on the main character: Jean Valjean. The opening of the story and musical show that Valjean has landed in prison, a sentence he finds wildly unjust. He has clearly become disillusioned with authority and police figures, and finds continued difficulty attempting to live life…

We near the conclusion of our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up, continuing our exploration of what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. This Sunday is the traditional celebration of Palm Sunday, and is a peak of celebration in Jesus’ ministry that leads to the valley of death on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Ultimately, we arrive at an even higher peak on Easter Sunday! And we must acknowledge the fullness of this journey—a…

This week we continue our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. A few months ago, we focused our Worship on this same text; and instead of a traditional didactic message, we heard the story through song. For the most part, congregation members were supportive and there was a strong acknowledgement of the time and energy it would take to put such a musical sequence together.…

This week we continue our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. I’ve often found wonderful humor in this familiar phrase: “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans.” I think this is completely true! In our lives, I know we have a tendency to build up our expectations on how things are going to turn out with every circumstance. Even so, I…

This week we continue our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. We live in a world that often feels like it’s ruled by fear. There are so many of us fearful of disease and illness–especially in this COVID era. There are so many who are fearful of being judged for their race as statistics show an increase in hate crimes. There are so many who…

This week we begin our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. In the Gospel text, Jesus is drawn into the wilderness for forty days and endures hardship and temptation. Understanding where this lies in the context of the Gospel of Luke, we may understand this in part as Jesus’ preparation for ministry. It is a time—remembering the mystery of trinity as both togetherness and separateness—that…

This week we conclude our series called The Body of Christ: Learning & Re-Learning How to Be a Christian. In doing so, we arrive at Transfiguration Sunday, a reminder of Jesus’ mountaintop experience where the three disciples who are along for the journey observe a notable change in Jesus. As we have continued to Worship in various ways including online, we regularly claim that the act of Worship changes us and that we are called to respond to the change…