Looking into the lectionary - Remembering Pope Francis

May 4, 2025 Third Sunday of Easter  Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; John 21:1-19 There is a scene in “The Big Lebowski” that I cannot help but recall when reading Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), Psalm 30, and John 21:1-19. The Dude and his friend Walter Sobchak have been charged with bringing a ransom to the people who kidnapped Jeffrey Lebowski’s wife and then returning safely with her in tow. Everything goes horribly wrong and as they stand in the street watching the kidnappers drive away, having failed to achieve this modest task, Walter turns to The Dude and says (I’m paraphrasing), “Ahh screw it, dude. Let’s go bowling.” More than we’d care to admit, we are all Walter Sobchak, desperately trying to pretend like none of this is really happening. Rather than engage with the wreckage of our present circumstances, we do what we’ve always done. Thankfully, the saints who have come before us who faced similar situations did not keep their heads in the sand for as long as we may want.. John 21: 1-19 doesn’t include it, but it’s not hard to imagine Simon Peter saying, or at least thinking, “Ahh screw it” after the crucifixion and the strange visits from a resurrected Jesus to the hiding disciples. What else is there for him to do? But upon recognizing the resurrected Jesus on the beach, Simon Peter does something completely different, jumping from the boat and swimming to shore. And then the resurrected Lord puts an even finer point on it: there is a belt fastened around you, and it will take you where you do not wish to go (v.18). Peter’s life will be different now. ... Thank you to this week's writer, Andy Greenhow. Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship — May 4, 2025, by Andy Greenhow Pope Francis, charismatic reformer and disruptor, dies at 88 by Christian Iosso The scroll and the lamb (April 27, 2025) by Mark Hinds  A call to recover the original Easter vision in an age of mass incarceration by Chris Hoke  Want the worship resources for April 27, 2025? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Praying Easter would happen again "I’ve never stepped into the mouth of an empty tomb, but I have walked into my grandmother’s one-bedroom apartment three days after she died," writes Lisle Gwynn Garrity. The many lives of Stony Point Center Christian Iosso reflects on Stony Point Center's 75 years of faith, friendship and formation — and their recent anniversary celebration. Reflecting on Jesus’ last words and unspoken truths What are we supposed to do about climate change? Reproductive rights? Gun violence? Jesus addresses none of these pressing issues in his last words to the disciples, but that doesn't mean we're left to find solutions on our own, writes Ron Byers. Now’s the time to act The days after Easter hold a unique opportunity for pastors to engage their community, writes Raymond R. Roberts. Love for Easter-only worshippers How Andrew Taylor-Troutman's investment in a theology of belonging has liberated him from resentment. The invitation of the Marys Eliza C. Jaremko looks at Mary the Mother of God and Mary the sister of Martha in the resurrection narrative. Appreciate These Things: Eight Ways of Cultivating Compassion How can we preserve our tender hearts yet be vulnerable enough to engage with the “other” in this current climate? Amy Pagliarella reviews Jill Duffield's new book. Cross A poem from the acclaimed poet Marjorie Maddox. Why did Jesus die? Churches grapple with the mystery of atonement In recent decades, some Christians have moved away from the theory of penal substitutionary atonement, which summons up the idea of an angry God who needs to be appeased. — Kathryn Post The Outlook is hiring! Presbyterian Outlook is looking to hire a remote WordPress & SEO specialist for 100-Hour Contract Project.

WCC NEWS - Ecumenical spirit moves Bossey students at mass with Pope Francis

For students from the World Council of Churches's (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, attending a Sunday mass at which Pope Francis presided in the Basilica of St Peter, Vatican during the week of Christian unity forged a special memory about bringing churches together. Students from the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey with Pope Francis during their visit to Rome Photo: Vatican Media 01 February 2024 For many students, it was the end of their ecumenical studies at the Bossey Institute outside Geneva, which draws students worldwide. Rev. Jackie Makena Mutuma, a master's student from the Methodist Church in Kenya, blogged after the week-long visit, "The ecumenical pilgrimage also led us to a profound realisation – that every Christian is an integral part of the mission of God (Missio Dei). "The collaboration between the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church underscored the shared responsibility of all Christians in fulfilling the mission to spread the message of love, compassion, and justice." She saw it as recognising the Bossey students' common purpose and serving as a "unifying force, bridging gaps that may have existed due to historical or theological differences." Vatican Media Structure of Roman Catholic Church The 19-26 January visit to Rome and the Vatican for Bossey students, many of whom were completing their course, is viewed as an opportunity to understand the structure and nature of the Roman Catholic Church. It enables them to appreciate the Catholic Church's commitment to realising its visible unity. Dimitrie Dalidis from the Romanian Orthodox Church said he was especially impressed by the moments of prayer during the visit. "It was a special opportunity to attend the solemn Sunday Mass His Holiness Pope Francis presided over. Being passionate about church music, I enjoyed listening to the authentic Gregorian chant in St. Peter's Basilica during those moments." Dalidis said it was an intensive study visit, which he greatly enjoyed.  "I learned more about the role and contribution of the Roman Catholic Church in the ecumenical dialogue, primarily through the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity," said the Romanian student. Rev. Ingrid Norén Nilsson, from the Church of Sweden and also a master's student at Bossey, said that the Pontifical Sunday mass is celebrated as the Sunday of the Word of God when everyone is invited to rediscover the Gospel in their lives. "Since it is celebrated in the week of prayer for Christian unity, it gives it an even deeper perspective: an invitation to all to share in the Gospel, that which we have in common, and to sense the call to a deepened, full unity that the same Word invites us to," said Nilsson. She said that thanks to the generous hospitality of the Vatican, the Bossey group was seated in the middle of St Peter's Basilica, close to the high altar.  "To be united in prayer, so near to the altar, in the celebration of the Eucharist, where we were united around the same real presence of Christ in our midst, although in imperfect communion, which made the reception purely spiritual for many of us, was for me an incredible moment of grace," said Nilsson. "We were living in the already present and yet not there longing and tension for unity, which is not only ours but also our Lord's."  Our trip to Rome Apply Now for the 2024 Interfaith Summer Course at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey The Ecumenical Institute Bossey Tour the Bossey Ecumenical Institute online—with 360-degree views See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland