March 4, 2026

March 4, 2026

by | Mar 4, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps/pkLuke 7:36-50; Matthew 25:35-40Fierce Love – reflections from Rev. Dr. Brian BlountHow fiercely does God love? Let me tell you a Galilean story.  Simon, a Pharisee, a religious man who lives his life according to God’s laws, invites Jesus into his home. Customarily, such a host would greet a guest with acts of hospitality: the washing of feet soiled by dusty roadways; an anointing of oil for respite from the heat of the day; a kiss of welcome. Though Simon receives Jesus, he provides no such greeting.Impertinent and audacious, having heard that the great teacher is in Simon’s house, a woman, an unsolicited sex worker, invades the space.  Immediately, the Pharisee, a man tasked with conveying God’s love to God’s people, distances himself from her. From his perspective, the love in which she traffics, commercially but not virtuously intimate, prohibits her presence. But Jesus graciously allows her to draw near.When she is close, ironically, she offers Jesus the hospitality that Simon had neglected. She washes. She anoints. She kisses.Scandalized, Simon rebukes Jesus for letting this woman touch him.  Disappointed in Simon, Jesus responds with a parable about the extravagance and ferocity of God’s love: two people are in debt to a man, just as every one of us is in the debt of sinfulness before God.One debtor owes the man little. The other debtor owes the man much.  Ridiculously, the man forgives both of them their debts. Which debtor, Jesus asks, will be the most grateful, will respond to the man with the most love? Of course, it is the man who owed the most.Simon believes that he owes God much less than this disreputable woman because he has lived a life of holiness and righteousness. Just so, Simon can never know the ferocity of the woman’s love for the God who loves her. According to Jesus, God loves her with an extravagance of grace that cancels all her sins just as surely as the creditor expunged his lender’s massive debt.Jesus tells the woman to go in peace. How can she, though, without help? Living on the streets, she finds welcome among those who struggle like her. Forgiven, she now needs the welcome she has shown Jesus to be extended to her by a community of Jesus people—people who recognize that they, too, have been graced by the extravagance ofGod’s fierce, unrelenting love.Did not Jesus say in Matthew 25 that to welcome him is to welcome those whom the self-righteous have rejected? The hungry. The immigrant. The homeless. The convict. Jesus’ church can show Jesus’ fierce love by inviting into the intimacy of their faith fellowship those whom others are scandalized by.By recalling Jesus’ journey to the cross, the season of Lent reminds us of God’s extravagant love. May this season inspire us to love others just as extravagantly, just as fiercely as God, through Jesus, loves us.ReflectDescribe an example of extravagant love for have experienced.Blessings,PS and PK
March 4, 2026

February 25, 2026

by | Mar 4, 2026 | PS from PS

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John 2:1-11“Ooh, Heaven Is a Place on Earth” People didn’t think Jesus could boogie like that. It took them by surprise—his dance moves, undoubtedly, but also how much Jesus, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God . . . loves a good ol’ fashioned Electric Slide.Jesus is there, at the wedding in Cana. And the party is at the tipping point: the moment when people are either gonna dip, or the party is about to go to the next level. The shoes will come off on the dance floor, mama is gonna bust those moves she hasn’t used since college— but instead, something terrible has happened.The host has run out of wine. The servants know it. And for some reason . . . Mary knows it, too.In John’s Gospel this is how we meet Mary. A woman who knows the panicked secret about to ruin the party: there is no more wine. A woman who knows exactly who can fix it, so she goes to find her son.  Maybe Jesus is dangling a solo cup in hand, leaning against a wall and enjoying from the sidelines. Maybe he was doing the Cha Cha Slide and is irked to be interrupted. An embarrassing squabble with one’s mother in front of friends is a seminal human experience, after all.Or maybe this whole conversation is a teasing ruse because mother and son both know what is about to happen—they’re both in on the delightful surprise.The good news is a surprise to us, of course, but it’s not a surprise to God.  However this conversation goes down—sassy or sincere—I picture Mary, unblinking at Jesus’ insistence that his hour has not yet come.She turns to the crowd of befuddled waitstaff as she saunters off with: “Do whatever he tells you!” Mary has complete trust in the miracle to come.The servants turn to look at Jesus—hopeful, skeptical, bewildered— and Jesus tells them to fill six stone water jars, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. “And they filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). This is equivalent to one thousand bottles of wine! Which is exactly what it becomes. The party tips from good to unforgettable.Behold: Jesus’ debut act of ministry. It’s not a healing, or an exorcism, or turning tables for justice. Jesus’ first act is to help ensure a party becomes the best party possible. It’s a total surprise.Because this . . . this is who Jesus is. Jesus doesn’t have to begin with defeating evil because he knows ultimately evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who loves disco and his mother. Evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who is not only not afraid of scarcity, but laughs in the face of it. Evil doesn’t stand a chance against a God who will never let an empty cistern or full tomb have the final word. Evil is predictable. But our God loves a surprise because God knows the plot twist is the same every time: God’s goodness will overflow. Every.  Single.  Time.ReflectHave you ever been surprised by overflowing goodness?Blessings,PS and PK
March 4, 2026

February 18, 2026

by | Feb 18, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps/pkLet Go of the Ordinary – reflections from Rev Brian Blount“Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the reign of God” (Luke 14:15). For the person who makes this proclamation, “anyone” is more expansive than he knows. He is thinking about people like himself— the well-positioned and well-to-do who invite peers to their parties.  Persons self-important enough that when they enter they seek the highest seat so that they can be appropriately recognized. This is ordinary social behavior. This is why the householder in Jesus’ parable starts out by inviting people like himself. He, too, does the ordinary.  And all is well. Until his people decline his fabulous invitation in order to tend to their mundane affairs.Humiliated, the householder repents of his ordinariness and leans into the extraordinary. He does not invite another lateral group of socialites, or those the next level down on the social ladder. Instead, he extends his welcome to those who have nothing. He declares his intent to share his feast and his company with those whom life has broken: “the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame.” The paupers who have been banished from proper community will inherit the bounty that the high and mighty reject.The reign of God is like that! It redefines the meaning of communal belonging. Ordinarily, the host of a banquet invites and serves the very people who have no need of the banquet’s bounty. The extraordinary people who hope to emulate God’s transcendent love invite into their company not just those who have, but those who need. They make the broken ones socially whole and physically welcome.The season of Lent reminds us that God has extended such an extraordinary welcome. To us. In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God, holy beyond all human standing, invited us, in all of our brokenness, into the community of divine presence. Not because we earned a place, but because God created space. Lent offers us the opportunity to remove all the distractions and focus on the invitation. We are the broken. God is the householder. Jesus is the invitation. All we have to do is say “yes.”Reflect:How are you responding to God’s invitation this Lent?BlessingsPS and PK
March 4, 2026

February 11, 2026

by | Feb 13, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps/pk

We are just days until another start to Lent.Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we crafted this series, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.Jesus’ words are easily distorted and sanitized in our modern world. Following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world.Kristen and I hope this upcoming Lenten focus will provide fertile ground for conversation and worship, rooting our hearts and lives in the expansive goodness of God. This Lent, may the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.Lord, lead us this Lent and tell me something good! Amen
Blessings,
PS and PK
March 4, 2026

February 4, 2026

by | Feb 4, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from psJesus starts this upcoming weekend’s Gospel with this line:     “You are the salt of the earth.”

Now, living in Western New York, we have opinions about salt.  We put salt on our roads.   We put salt on our fries.  We put it on our movie popcorn.  Some of us probably put salt on things that already have enough salt.
Salt is everywhere. And most of the time, we don’t think about it—until it’s missing.

Ever had fries with no salt?  They’re not fries. They’re sadness.  Ever have movie popcorn without salt?  Said no one ever!!  Ever tried hitting the roads in winter before they were salted?  Terrifying.

That’s kind of Jesus’ point. Salt isn’t flashy. It doesn’t announce itself.  But when it’s gone, everything is off. Flavorless. Flat. Even dangerous.

Jesus says to the people listening that day…and this day, that salt? – it’s YOU.  Not someone else.Not just pastors.  Not the church choir or band.  Not the Council.  You

You.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough pressure, Jesus keeps going:  “You are the light of the world.”

Okay Jesus—salt and light? That feels like a lot for a cold winter’s day!

But they are both already in you.  Part of you.

In Jesus’ time, salt wasn’t just seasoning. It preserved food. It kept things from spoiling. It slowed down decay.
Which is interesting—because Jesus doesn’t say,   “You are the sugar of the earth.”  Or, “You are the sprinkles of the world.”  You are not a sweet additive.  You’re a preserving change agent.

Salt changes things.   Salt preserves things.  Light changes things.    Light lessens darkness.  And neither one exists for itself.  Salt doesn’t say, “Look at me, I’m salt!”  Light doesn’t say, “Wow, I’m so bright.”
They exist for the sake of others.

Jesus is talking about a faith that actually does something.   Not loud faith.  Not perfect faith. Not Instagram-filler faith.  Just… day-to-day, regular, everyday, useful faith.

This week, put your useful faith into action for change.  You don’t have to change the whole world this week.
Just show up where you already are.  Add flavor where things feel bland.  Bring light where things feel heavy.
Live your faith in ways that actually help someone.

Because whether you realize it or not— You are already salt.  You are already light.
And God is using you—right now—more than you know.

Lord, put my salt and light into action.  Amen

Still in One Peace
ps.  
March 4, 2026

January 28, 2026

by | Jan 28, 2026 | PS from PS

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I’m working remotely this week from Silver Bay YMCA and Conference Center in Silver Bay, NY.  Got here Sunday before the 15″ of snow.



Some of you might know the camp on the north end of Lake George as the site of the Lutheran Week at Silver Bay which many in the Lutheran tribe have been gathering at over the summer for many years.  Beautiful in the summer.  Maybe even more beautiful in the winter.  

Michelle came with me this year.  We get our workout done in the morning.  Then I work on Lenten planning, meetings with Pastor Kristen and staff, sermon planning, and time to write.  Before dinner, we hit some cross country ski time and then add a night snow shoe with the head lamps.  It’s a lot of added outdoor stuff.  So I had to let go of a few things: like watching the stupid Patriots win, other random sports events, checking Facebook and keeping up to speed on the news cycle.  

It’s not to run away from it.  It’s to get a break from it.  A break to rebuild.  

The Spiritual Life Center here (a retreat center where pastors/church workers can come and stay for free for respite) has a great little library filled with books to read if you choose.  This one caught my eye:


 
To be clear, I’m not planning on reading it (it has waaaaay too many words and not enough pictures and diagrams).  I just love the title and picture.  I especially love the depth and width of the roots.  

In order for the leafs to get to the top of the tree, beautify the landscape, provide the oxygen and shade the surroundings, the roots must be healthy, wide and deep.  

Coming to Silver Bay and working from here once a year builds up my roots.  Shutting off social media to take a break builds my roots.  Disengaging from the painful news cycle builds my roots.  And yes, not letting my emotional stability be influenced by who wins a football game builds my roots.  (Although, I’m sure if the Bills ever won the SB, that would build my roots too!   What’d ya say God?)

In order for us to maintain/rebuild our spiritual and emotional health, we have to give time, space and energy to those roots.  Jesus modeled it and encouraged it.  In Matthew 5, Jesus reminded so many who were run down, cast off and root-less because of the culture, that they were blessed.  He was trying to build their roots in the depth and width of his love.  

I drove 5 hours in a snowstorm.  You might not have to go that far though.  It may be in the quiet of your home, God’s creation around you or even space at St. Paul’s.  (Which ALL of you are welcome to sit in the sanctuary at St. Paul’s at any time, beyond Sundays, if you just need some space for the rebuild.  And right now it also acts as cryotherapy being about 57 degrees!  Bring a prayer shawl this week).  

This week, may you give yourself time to “transform your inner life” by stepping away from the things that are breaking you down and allowing God to rebuild your roots!  

Lord, help me find the space, make the time and create room by letting go, so that you can rebuild my roots.  Amen

Still in One Peace
ps.