Bfth's Boring Blog

Lectionary readings for today are:   Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25,   Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9,  John 18:1-19:42 The week comes to a close with the crucifixion of Jesus.  But as we know, this is not the end, but the beginning of something more wondrous. While reading the gospel of John for today, I searched for a passage, but it was not there.  (Which should tell you that I don't know my Gospels all that well!) Although all the gospels tell the story, they are each unique in their own way and the phrase that I was seeking is not found in John, but in Luke 23:   32  Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.   33  When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.   34  Jesus said,  “Father,  forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  As he is crucifie...

Lectionary readings for today are:   Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14,  Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19,  1 Corinthians 11:23-26,   John 13:1-17, 31b-35 We all know the story of the last supper don't we.  We remember it every time we receive communion.  As well as I know the story, upon re-reading, a key passage stood out for me even more so than the actual meal.  "So  if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.   For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.   Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them."   How much better would our world be if we REMEMBERED and ACTED as such?   What better way do we honor Christ than to act as servant, remembering that those we serve and those who serve us are no greater?  Can we open our eyes and see that ...

Lectionary readings for today are:   I saiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." What weighs us down?  What fears do we have that prevent us from doing what we know we are being called to do?  Perhaps the more important question, is what can we do to overcome it? While it is not always possible to follow the path we feel called to do so, perhaps we should at least consider it.  To think about it and see what options we have.  Is the path truly blocked or is there a way?  Just perhaps, if we "think ...

Lectionary readings for the day:   Isaiah 49:1-7,  Psalm 71:1-14,  1 Corinthians 1:18-31,  John 12:20-36 "Jesus said to them, 'The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.'" In our world, which seems to be filled with darkness (both literally and figuratively), we need to focus on the light.  To follow the light that is Jesus we need to focus on his all his actions.  To be in the light is to honestly answer the question:  what would Jesus do?  The answer might not be one that you like, but do it any way.  Resolve  yourself to TRY to do as Jesus would.  To speak and to act as Jesus would. On this Tuesday of Holy Week walk with the light. If only for today, follow the path of that ligh...

Lectionary readings for today:   Isaiah 42:1-9,  Psalm 36:5-11,  Hebrews 9:11-15,  John 12:1-11. Monday:  And so we begin the end of the journey to the cross.  It may only be a few days in time, but all of Lent has led us here.  A dark week to be sure, but I found myself focused on one particular passage in John.  " Mary took a pound of costly perfume... anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.   But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ' Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?'  (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)   Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.   You always have the poor w...

Sunday's lectionary reading is dependent on whether one considers this Palm or Passion Sunday.  Palm Sunday lectionary readings are  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29,  Mark 11:1-11,  John 12:12-16.  Passion Sunday readings are:   Isaiah 50:4-9a,  Psalm 31:9-16,  Philippians 2:5-11,  Mark 14:1-15:47,  Mark 15:1-39, (40-47).  I am of the mind that the passion takes a nearly a full week (Monday-Saturday) and I feel that I/we need to experience the joy that Jesus's followers felt on that day when they waved their palm branches to welcome him. After the darkness of winter, I need the joy of warm weather, even though the cold and dark may not yet be over. Though the week that is coming will bring darkness, Palm Sunday is a day to celebrate and rejoice.  " O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! .. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. ...

So here it is:  SPRING.  Finally!  Spring! You may recall my earlier weather post:  h ttps://bfthsboringblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-roaring-lion.html .  If only I knew that it wasn't the end, but the beginning! We are on day 21 on the month.  We are one day into spring.  We are on our 4th (YES 4th!) Nor'easter.  We've had more snow in the past 21 days than we've had ALL winter long.  Shall we recap? March 1st:  First Nor'easter which was supposed to be just wind and rain.  Turned into wind, rain, sleet, ice and some snow.  Not too much accumulation (the kid had school), but treachorous just the same. March 7th & 8th:  Second Nor'easter which dumped over two feet of snow on our area.  HEAVY, WET SNOW!  State of Emergency was issued on Tuesday night which continued into early Thursday. Took three of us nearly 2 hours to clean our walkways and driveway.  And that was BEFORE the snow stopped...

Lectionary reading for this week are:   Jeremiah 31:31-34, P salm 51:1-12,  Psalm 119:9-16,  Hebrews 5:5-10,  John 12:20-33. I find it interesting that as we enter "the home stretch" (as it were) of Lent, that one of the lectionary readings (Psalm 51: 1-12) is also a reading for Ash Wednesday.  So I decided to take a look at it again and the words:  " Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me" stood out. Spring is right around the corner. (Can I hear a Hallelujah!?  After 3 Nor'easters and more snow in three weeks than we've had all winter we need the promise of spring).  We often talk/think of spring cleaning.  Maybe we actually DO some spring cleaning. (I know I NEED to do some!)  At the signs of spring, life begins anew.  Flowers peak their heads through the earth and wildlife awakens (as is evident by the chattering of birds with the dawn.)  Spring cleaning makes sense; purging t...

The lectionary readings for the week are:   Numbers 21:4-9,  Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22,  Ephesians 2:1-10,  John 3:14-21. "For God so loved  the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.     For God did not send his Son into the world  to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The above verse (part of this week's lectionary) I feel is at the core of Lent.  God SO LOVED the world that he GAVE... Love and giving are at the heart of Christianity.  While we often "give up" during the Lenten season, how can we give love or give to show our love? Perhaps this is the week that we can focus on giving love; to our friends, neighbors and even those we might consider to be our enemies.  We know that love is powerful.  Love can and does change things beyond our understanding. Focus on loving the world (as only you can) this week ...

The internet and social media have lots of flaws.  I'll be the first to admit that I spend (waste?) too much time surfing the net and scouring social media.  But then there is the joy when something wonderful and unexpected pops up.  There are the "Aha!' moments and the little treats that can make your day. Such was the case last Thursday evening when I got a phone call. Before I talk about the call, let me give you a little background on the caller.  When the phone rang, caller ID let me know it was a friend from church. P is one of those wonderful people who lights up a room, always has a good word to say and makes you feel good just by speaking with her.  She is incredibly kind and compassionate.  PLUS she is also one of those people who is always incredibly put together.  She's got a sense of style that I am incredibly jealous of.  Truly, she could wear a burlap sack  and a torn pair of jeans and STILL look incredible.  Of co...

You know the old saying "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb"?  I'm not sure where the phrase started, but it often seems true.  When March begins it's still winter and by the time it's over, we've entered spring. We're not very far into the month, but to me it seems like the March lion is roaring and pouncing!  At least that's what I see for my section of the world (that would be the northeast).  We were just two days into it when we got slammed with a Nor'easter.  I thought that meant wind and rain (based on the information I'd gotten BEFORE Friday), but it turned out that it was wind, rain, ice, and snow.  In other words, a couple mess.  (Actually I could use more descriptive terminology, but I'm trying to keep things family friendly for the moment!)  I was on the fence about driving into work that morning (if you're from North Jersey, you know what a horror show Route 3 can be in the rain) until I drove my son a...

The lectionary readings for the week are:   Exodus 20:1-17,  Psalm 19,  1 Corinthians 1:18-25,  John 2:13-22. The first (   The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.) and last (   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.) verses of   Psalm 19 are two of my favorites, yet it was verses from Exodus that jumped out at me this Lent.  They are the verses that proclaim the 10 Commandments.  (Which we all know by heart, right?  Quick, what is commandment #5?)  I feel that most of us know and try to follow them (no killing, no stealing) for the most part and yet..."I   am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;   you shall have no other gods before me.   You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heave...