May 3, 2020, Lectionary

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of COVID 19, You, Lord, are with me. You protect and comfort me. You feed and heal me. I want to stay with you forever. Psalm 23

It is the greatest exchange, one that confounds all theories of economics and invites study for eternity. He bore our sins on the cross that we, being dead to sin, should live to righteousness. 1 Peter 2:19-25

Jesus' hearers were familiar with the images of God as shepherd, and leaders of the people as shepherds, but Jesus claims to be the door, the only acceptable way of access to fellowship, protection, freedom of movement, salvation, and abundant life. John 10:1-10

Thoughts about Listening

I'm delighted to see our devotion to giving the gift of listening remaining strong despite having to use physical distance, video conferencing, telephone, and all those other immediate presence technologies. Acts 2:42-47

Maybe the thing I miss most in our isolation is eye contact. Current video conferencing technology does not enable simultaneous two-way passing and receiving of information through eye contact. Psalm 23

Gift listening can be done by phone or video presence, from many different platforms, even if face to face presence is not possible. 1 Peter 2:19-25

Good listening might be like a door, opening to new vistas, closing against gossip, making freedom of thought more possible for both listener and listenee. John 10:1-10