Living the Christian Life Together
As we move deeper into “Ordinary Time,” let’s retain our experience of the Holy Spirit, something we celebrated not that long ago on Pentecost Sunday. This depiction by Jean II Restout certainly captures the power and awe of the moment. The Divine Presence stirring within us and among us is truly life changing!
This Sunday at Holston View UMC, the sermon will be “The Righteous Man,” drawing from Matthew 1:18-25. We will be hearing about Joseph, of course. In preparation, I offer you Guido Reni’s “St. Joseph with the Infant Jesus,” circa 1620.
Lord, thank you for the incarnation, the blessed event we prepare to celebrate, and the very human people who were part of your divine plan. Amen.
No, that baby in the fresco, found in the Tornabuoni Chapel in Florence, Italy, isn’t Jesus. He is John the Baptist, cousin to Jesus and the one who would announce the coming of the Messiah. Today is a good day to consider the story of his father, Zechariah. In particular, you might want to take time to hear his “song,” the prophetic declaration he makes when his tongue is unleashed.
This Sunday at Holston View United Methodist Church, the sermon will draw from Mark 12:38-44, where Jesus again causes us to think about our spiritual relationship with money. If you cannot join us in person, join us online at 11 a.m., or watch a recording later.
As we prepare for Sunday, James Tissot’s “The Widow’s Mite” is offered for your consideration. Much of the artwork developed around this story shows the widow with a child in her arms. While the addition of the child is an elaboration, going beyond what we find in the text, these depictions do remind us of the basic call to care for “widows and orphans,” the most vulnerable people in Jesus’ day. Note in particular the expression captured on the widow’s face.
Lord, keep us mindful that in your eyes, treasure is stored in the heart. Amen.
Methodist Life 