A Message from Pastor Kaji
Dear Church:
Have you ever been so focused on what you thought God should do that you missed what God was doing? Have you ever been so caught up in trying to get things right that you lost sight of the grace that was right in front of you?
This Sunday, we’ll reflect on a moment in Jesus’ ministry where people struggled to receive what God was offering. Their expectations got in the way, and instead of moving toward God, they found themselves running in circles.
In your worship preparations, as you read this story, I invite you to ask:
- Where in your life might you be resisting God’s movement because it doesn’t look the way you expected?
- What would it mean to pause, to confess, and to trust that God’s correction is part of God’s mercy?
I can’t wait to see you in church!
Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji
SCRIPTURE
Luke 7:18-35 (Year C, p. 57-8):
18 Now, the disciples of John brought news of all these things [about Jesus raising the widow’s son from the dead] to John. And John called two in particular among his disciples. 19 He sent them to the Messiah to ask, “Are you the One Who is Coming, or shall we wait for another?” 20 When the men had come to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the One Who is Coming, or are shall we wait for another?’” 21 At that moment he, Jesus, healed many people of diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits and to many blind persons he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answered them, “Go and take this news to John, what you have seen and heard:
those who were blind receive sight,
those who were lame walk,
those who were diseased-in-skin are cleansed,
those who were deaf hear,
those who were dead are raised,
those who are poor have good news proclaimed to them.
23 And blessed is the woman or man who is not scandalized by me.”
24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you all go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A person dressed in luxurious robes? Look, those whose clothing is lavish and who live in self-indulgence are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you all go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the reign of God is greater than he.” 29 Now all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, professed the righteousness of God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the legal scholars rejected God’s counsel for themselves.
31 “To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children in the marketplace sitting and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you all, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you all did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptizer has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you all say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Woman has come eating and drinking, and you all say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”