In this week's Gospel lesson (Matthew 5:38-48) we are told to love our enemies. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." This sounds like a noble ideal, but how easy is it to put into practice?

In my sermon studies this week I came across a quote from process theologian Bruce Epperly. Epperly writes, "We may have enemies, but God does not." What do you think of that statement? Do you think it is true? Do you disagree?

At first I questioned this statement. Aren't God's enemies those who do not follow his way? But then it occurred to me that they may see God as an enemy, but God does not see them that way. God loves all of creation. God seeks to be in community with every single one of us. God may be disappointed when one turns away, but I believe God continues to love each one.

If it is true that God has no enemies, what does that say about how we are to love?

Yesterday we dealt with some pretty hard texts in our worship service. Continuing with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount we considered Jesus teachings on anger, lust, divorce and oaths. We also looked at Jesus instructions to "pluck out your eye" or "cut off your hand" if they cause you to sin. As a preacher, these are difficult texts to wrestle with and even more difficult to preach. If it were up to me, I would probably leave these (and some other hard ones) out of my preaching repertoire!

But it is up to me, isnt' it? So why don't I? To some degree it is up to me, but I've also made a commitment to primarily preach the Lectionary. The Lectionary is an established set of readings that include a Gospel, Epistle, Psalm and Old Testament reading for each week of the Christian Year. The Lectionary readings are based on a three-year cycle, so they provide a pretty broad selection of Biblical Texts. Click here to read more about the Lectionary. It is my belief that the Lectionary stretches preachers and congregations to consider texts they might otherwise avoid.

Because Easter is late this year, we have a long Epiphany. The later weeks of Epiphany in Year A (the current year) include Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. We're not done with it yet. Stay tuned for more hard texts next week! Praise God that we can be challenged, stretched and grow together!

Spiritual practices are one way we stay connected to God on a daily and weekly basis. One spiritual practice is attending regular worship services. Another spiritual practice is daily devotional reading and prayer. Other spiritual practices include silence, fasting, and meditation. Some people find spiritual renewal in walking or other physical exercise. Others feel fed spiritually through group discussions and communal prayer.

One of the ways I feel closest to God is through corporate worship. There is a blessing in being together with others who are focused on praising God. As a pastor, I am frequently leading worship, which is an invigorating (yet exhausting) experience for me. While both are filled with blessing, there is a difference between leading worship and participating in worship as a member of the congregation.

For several years I have made it a spiritual practice to attend a Catholic Mass on a weekly basis. Tuesday mornings I worship at St. John Vianney Church. Together with the rest of the congregation I listen to the Scriptures and sermon and pray. (I don't receive communion out of respect for their beliefs since I am not Catholic.) I feel blessed that I am welcomed as part of that worshiping community. I feel spiritually fed when I leave the service. I also feel strengthened to lead worship within our community.

What are some of your spiritual practices? How do they strengthen you for Christian service? Do you feel led to take up a new spiritual practice? What might that be?

"You are the salt of the earth..... You are the light of the world....No one, after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket. , but on the lampstand and it gives light to all the house." (Matthew 5:13, 14, 15)

Epiphany is the season of light, and because of a lengthy Epiphany this year we get to hang out in the light for a while longer! Light is important for many reasons. Light sustains life. Light also reveals what can be hidden in the dark. We turn lights on in our homes and use our headlights as we drive at night so we can see what is around us.

Similarly, the way we live our lives can shed light on what is around us. If we live in ways that embody compassion and promote justice, we can shed light on issues in our community that cause people to live in hurt and despair. When we live filled with the light of Christ we can use our gifts and talents to extent the reach of God's Kingdom.

Where does our community need light now? How can you use the light God has placed in you to reveal God's Kingdom of justice and love?

(We'll talk more about "salt" on Sunday :)