Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel reading.

Sacred, silent space envelopes the world the day after Jesus’s death. It is the Sabbath, fragrant as no other. The holy women are resting, grieving, and breathing the sweet smell of the spices and fragrant oils they have prepared to give closure to the death of their beloved Master.

Yet openness, not closure, is what they find early the next morning. The tomb is open. They are startled, worried, filled with wonder at the words of the angels.

Where is Mary, mother of Jesus? The tomb is empty, for surely Jesus is filling her with his presence. She, whose empty womb was blessed with the fruit of the Word made flesh, is surely the first to know the fruit of the empty tomb. Ponder all these things in your heart, as Mary so often did.

Luke 24:1–12

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Finding the stone rolled away v. 2

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Exodus 33:12-17.

The center of the year for the Jewish people is Passover, as Easter is for Christians. The Torah reading unfolds the beauty, the power, and the presence of God. The Lord’s goodness and mercy are described. Be with Moses as the glory of the Lord is revealed to him and to you, through the Holy Spirit.

Learn about the Seder, the supper that recalls the Exodus. There are foods symbolic of the suffering endured such as salt water for the tears shed, and horseradish for the bitterness experienced in suffering so much.

This is a day of solidarity with all those in bondage in one form or another. We intercede for them that the pathways to liberation would become open—that all the “Red Seas” in their lives would split apart so that they can walk on to freedom.

Exodus 33:12—34:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: May Your presence go with me. 33:14

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and John 18:1-12.

Every hour of this day is as the sacred hour of Jesus that has come. Be moved at every moment by a holy awareness that Jesus died for you. I suggest that you take chapters 18 and 19 of the Gospel of John, dividing each one into two parts, creating four sacred quarters of the day. Be with Jesus as the movements of his passion take place. Be in the crowd, but close to Jesus in fidelity, lest distance from him draw you into the courts of temptation, as happened for Peter.

1. 6 am (or on rising) Arrest, Trial, Denial of Peter 18:1–27
2. 9 am Jesus and Pilate 18:28–40
3. 12 pm Scourging, Crown of Thorns, Crucifixion 19:1–30
4. 3 pm Piercing the Side; Burial 19:31–42

Be with Jesus. Let him change you. Note the points of irony. Dwell on all the meanings of the final words of Jesus.

John 18:1–19:42

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
A sample from today’s reading:
You are the One whom I seek. John 18:4

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Lent and Easter we generally read the Gospel of John.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.