Irreverently Reverend

  Ordinary Time 10  While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them.  11  They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.” 12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a sabbath day’s journey away.  13  When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, Alphaeus’ son; Simon the zealot; and Judas, James’ son—  14  all were united in their devotion to prayer, along with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15  During this time, the family of believers was a company of about one hundred twenty persons. Peter stood among them and said,  16  “Broth...

  Second Sunday of Easter; observance of Earth Day O Lord, our Lord,     how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2      Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes,     to still the enemy and the avenger. 3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,     the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4  what is man that you are mindful of him,     and the son of man that you care for him? 5  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings     and crowned him with glory and honor. 6  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;     you have put all things under his feet, 7  all sheep and oxen, ...

  Fifth Sunday of Lent When  Adonai  restored Tziyon’s fortunes, we thought we were dreaming. 2  Our mouths were full of laughter, and our tongues shouted for joy. Among the nations it was said, “ Adonai  has done great things for them!” 3  Adonai  did do great things with us; and we are overjoyed. 4  Return our people from exile,  Adonai , as streams fill  vadis in the Negev. [NRSV: Restore our fortunes, O Lord,     like the watercourses in the Negeb.] 5  Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy. 6  He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain. (CJB)             House Bill 1557, colloquially called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, passed in Florida this past week, prohibiting discussion about sexual or gender identity in primary school classrooms. ...

  Fourth Sunday of Lent How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2  How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit! 3  When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long; 4  day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah) 5  When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin . (Selah) 6  This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him. 7  You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah) 8  “I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel; my ...