7 Comments
User's avatar
Jackie McGriff's avatar

I appreciate this sermon so much! What really hit home for me was especially that last part - I feel like this goes over so many of our heads but Jesus nor forcing himself on us - asking the disabled man if he'd like to be well and this man being neglected being more of an indictment of the society at that time - this is SO good!

Grateful to God for you!

Expand full comment
Rev. Joash P. Thomas's avatar

Thanks, Jackie! Stay tuned for more posts like this via a weekly ‘Justice in the Lectionary’ permanent series I’ll be launching soon. So glad this is helpful!

Expand full comment
Barry Grecu's avatar

Such a beautiful homily…words of life and light! My heart aches, though, wondering how we as the church lost our way. Yours is a gospel I have never heard preached in all my years as a believer, and I’m a “relic” from the Jesus Movement and have listened to many a sermon and homily. Still, men (and women!) like you, Joash, fill me with hope for the future, both for the church and a broken world needing to hear some really “good news.”

Expand full comment
Rev. Joash P. Thomas's avatar

This is too kind, Barry! Jesus is beautiful. Thank you for trusting me to point you to him with my words. Blessings!

Expand full comment
Michele Brenneman's avatar

This is great - I love the fact that its about relationships and agency - not a counter to click on how many conversions someone makes. Jesus was about relationships, and Paul continued that teaching. In our zeal to convert or to help others we forget to give the greatest gift is Agency!

Michele

Expand full comment
Rev. Joash P. Thomas's avatar

Thanks, Michele! Stay tuned for more posts like this via a weekly ‘Justice in the Lectionary’ permanent series I’ll be launching soon. So glad this is helpful!

Expand full comment
Jordan's avatar

This is a wonderful and awesome read you are a great and learned man Joash. If you ever have the time please look into Rojava or the Autonomous Administration of North East Syria and what has been going on with Rojava revolution and the Syrian Civil War.

Expand full comment