This past Sunday's post talked about the continuity between what God desired for the world before and after Jesus' death and resurrection. Before, the message was about restoring relationships through repentance and forgiveness of sins; and after, the message remains restoring relationships through repentance and forgiveness of sins. This message is one we badly need … Continue reading On Repentance and Forgiveness
Over the past couple weeks, I've been reading a beautiful essay collection called One Long River of Song, by Brian Doyle, who passed away due to complications from a brain tumor in 2017. One essay that particularly stuck out to me, called "Everyone Thinks That Awful Comes by Itself, But It Doesn't," begins like this: … Continue reading The More Things Change…
The resurrection stories in the New Testament are not big, boisterous stories, shouting the news of the resurrection from the rooftops. Instead, they are tentative stories, involving a lot of uncertainty, questioning, fear, and vulnerability. In that way, they're well-suited for our times. For we too are living in a season of uncertainty and fear, … Continue reading When Jesus Shows Up: A Reflection on John 20.19-31
My Easter reflection this year talked about the message of the resurrection being a word of great hope and expectation for people in difficult circumstances, such as the Hebrews caught between the advancing Egyptian army and the Sea, and the people of Judah exiled in Babylon for seven decades. Despite this message of hope, however, … Continue reading Dealing with Desolation: Some Thoughts on Managing Pandemic Fatigue
[This Easter Sunday, I was asked to preach at a virtual family church service. Today's reflection is a tidied up version of my speaking notes.] Good morning and good afternoon, everyone. It's wonderful to be able to gather together like this — albeit virtually — to celebrate the biggest feast of the Christian year. At … Continue reading God’s New Thing: A Reflection for Easter 2021
Matthew Root 