Looking into the lectionary - A prayer for Inauguration (and MLK) Day

February 2, 2025 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Luke 4:21-30 Confession: Sometimes I want to throw Jesus off a cliff. When Jesus highlights the fact that there are a bunch of people out there who are suffering, but that God only decides to intervene in a few of their lives for the better, that wild impulse comes on strong. My mother died of lung cancer in 2011. She was diagnosed in 2008. In 2008, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer hovered around 1 in 5. So, there was an 80% chance my mother would die before 2013. And she did. That’s how life and death works in our world, and I understand that. Of course, everyone who loves anyone with a fatal disease prays and hopes that their loved one is one of the 20% who live beyond five years. But the odds are not in favor of such an outcome. I can accept that. I can accept that until Jesus, who has exhibited the power to heal, stands in front of me and tells me, in an off-the-cuff sort of way, that there were many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian (v. 27). I can accept the reality of random death, but when Jesus preaches that there were five women with lung cancer and God plucked one of them – specifically, not my mother – to be healed, I am filled with rage. ... Thank you to this week's writer Walter Canter. Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship — February 2, 2025, by Walter Canter Inauguration Day prayer by Teri McDowell Ott Living the Lord’s Prayer: Generosity and trust (February 2, 2025) by Savannah Demuynck Horizons — Climate change by Rosalind Banbury Prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Jill Duffield The end of the Office of Theology and Worship by Charles Aden Wiley, III and Martha Moore-Keish Want the worship resources for January 26, 2024? You can find them here. Did you know loneliness is America’s most significant health problem, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in 2022? Explore biblical wisdom and practical steps to cultivate meaningful friendships with this “Friendship” Bible study by Katy Shevel. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... MRTI adds 10 fossil fuel companies, four countries to divestment list Decisions made by last summer's GA226 expand the prohibited securities for PC(USA) agencies. — Gregg Brekke Pardon me, Jesus In response to recent presidential pardons, Joshua Gritter explores the tensions of justice and mercy. Three Earth Care Award winners honored at Presbyterians for Earth Care annual gathering Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) recognized two individuals and one congregation for their exceptional environmental achievements at their virtual Annual Gathering. — News from other sources The holy trinity of public theology What if there's also a rhythmic circle, giving a never-ending space for the dance of proclamation, advocacy and creativity? Jack Miller writes. Pennsylvania church surrenders part of the proceeds of the sale of its manse to the Lenape people During Advent, First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne held a moving and meaningful service of surrender. — Mike Ferguson Presbyterians in Pakistan: A historic reunification Three oppositional Presbyterian parties in Pakistan united recently, settling their differences and ending several years of hostility. — Jack Haberer