Truth Telling
Truth! Sometimes we hear a word that makes us stop what we’re doing and reflect on our actions or words. Sometimes we hear a word that cuts through our rationalizations and pride and demands a reset on our whole lives. Spending time with Jesus can do that. He manages to speak truth in powerful ways. But we often are overfamiliar with the words or the stories that we don’t listen deeply enough to hear the power. So, let us end liturgical Year B by engaging in some Truth Telling with Jesus in the gospels. It is a word we, the church, and the world need to hear.
To Testify to the Truth
This week, we conclude our Truth-Telling series on Christ the King Sunday marking the end of the liturgical year. In this week’s scripture, Jesus stands before Pilate, the Roman governor, in a moment that contrasts worldly authority with the heavenly kingdom Jesus proclaims. Scripture: John 18:33-37 (CEB)
Do Not Be Alarmed
In what is known as Mark’s “little apocalypse,” Jesus describes events that sound chaotic and fearful—wars, natural disasters, and upheaval—but he also offers a calm reminder: “Do not be alarmed.” This teaching challenges us to look beyond our immediate fears and recognize that God’s presence remains constant, even in difficult times. Scripture: Mark 13:1-8 (NRSVue)
Out of Their Abundance
Today, we dive into Jesus’ surprising praise for a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gave “all she had to live on.” In a world that often values outward appearances and assumes that “more” is always “better,” Jesus’ affirmation of the widow’s gift invites us to reconsider what it means to give. This story challenges our understanding of abundance and invites us to consider how we, too, might give in ways that embody our trust in God. Scripture: Mark 12:38-44…