Looking into the lectionary - Hispanic/Lantio Presbyterians on Venezuela

John 1:29-42 Second Sunday after the Epiphany January 18, 2026 If you could ask Jesus just one question, what would it be? John’s Gospel gives us some good ideas — and good examples. Throughout the text, Jesus is asked: How do you know me? By what authority are you doing these things? How are these things possible? What signs will you show us? What must we do to accomplish what God requires? Who are you? How can we know the way? What is truth? Those are all good, deep, meaningful questions. And yet, the very first question asked of Jesus is, “Where are you staying?” (John 1:38). John has just pointed out to his own disciples that this is the Lamb of God. The anointed one. The Messiah. And they want to know: where Jesus is staying? Maybe they were caught off guard because of Jesus’s question to them: “What are you looking for?” Think quick! “Um, we were just wondering where you’re staying…” Next week’s gospel reading will offer an alternate account of Jesus calling the disciples. Jesus will say to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me.” In John’s Gospel, the call begins with mutual curiosity. Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” The disciples respond, “Where are you staying?” Jesus invites them: “Come and see.” I’m writing this on the day after Christmas, waiting to board the first flight of a journey that will eventually bring me and four others from my church to India. I’m not entirely sure what we’re doing once we get there! It’s not a mission trip in the traditional sense. We are going to meet a family that found our online worship service during the early days of the COVID pandemic and began worshiping with us regularly online. Over the last five years, we have gotten to know this family, and we’ve heard about the work they are doing to share God’s love with the most vulnerable children in their area. A few years into our relationship with them, a particularly bad monsoon season destroyed the crops that provide their income for the whole year. We stepped in to help. Some thought this was just another scam, but if it was a scam, it was an inefficient one! Over the years we have helped to meet specific needs: new raincoats and rain shoes for the children, or gifts of new coats, clothes and shoes for children who had never had anything new in their lives.  ... Thanks to this week's writer, Stephanie Sorge. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for January 11, 2026? You can find them here. Order of worship — January 18, 2026 by Stephanie Sorge What carried the Outlook through 2025 — and what can carry you into 2026 by Presbyterian Outlook  Why a 50-year-old Presbyterian confession still matters by John Williams Presbyterian Hispanic Latino leaders call for de-escalation after U.S. strike on Venezuela by Dartinia Hull ‘Pickleball Church’ finds financial stability through innovative building use by Layton Williams Berkes Growing deep roots in a fast-paced world by Maggie Alsup  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... What Americans need to know about Palestinian liberation theology Palestinian Christians have developed one of the most important liberation theologies of our time — and most American churches have never encountered it, writes Christopher Tweel. 2025 book recommendations: New fiction and poetry Explore 2025 book releases in fiction and poetry, including Wally Lamb’s latest novel and uplifting collections from David Gate and Victoria Hutchins. — Amy Pagliarella New books on justice: Racial healing, climate action and courageous faith What does faithful resistance look like today? Amy Pagliarella’s latest roundup highlights powerful books on race, climate, courage and liberation. Faith for turbulent times: Four new books on Scripture and spiritual formation Seeking grounding in turbulent times? These new releases on Isaiah, resilience and Presbyterian identity offer wisdom, comfort and challenge. — Amy Pagliarella The mystery and perfect love of God Brendan McLean argues that "The Tree of Life" is a theologically rich, liturgical meditation that explores God’s mysterious presence in both the vast cosmos and the intimate struggles of human life. Up Against A Crooked Gospel: Black Women’s Bodies and the Politics of Redemption In "Up Against a Crooked Gospel," Melanie Jones Quarles names how Black women’s bodies have been exploited by theology — and reclaims embodiment as healing. Heather Russell von Marko offers a review.