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Good Friday: Psalm 22

Hanging on the cross, Jesus cries out the opening line of Psalm 22. The poem starts with deep pain, punctuated by statements of trust in God's presence. A savior who utters these words offers a helpline to those suffering too, who feel abandoned, but are never alone. Jonathan and Seth explore how this psalm - and Jesus' use of it - affects how we connect to people in pain. And, appropriately for Good Friday, they sit in the tension this psalm and a crucified God create.

Maundy Thursday: John 13:1-17, 31-35

John's Gospel uses "love" more than the synoptic Gospels combined; Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' commandment to love one another. What does it look like to also love the natural world? What would it look like to regard the natural world as we love other people? Jonathan and Seth explore those seemingly simple questions in this short, Holy Week episode.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent: Ezekiel 37:1-14

The valley of dry bones that Ezekiel sees resembles a modern landfill. Discarded, wasted, and loose parts are strewn about. God tells Ezekiel, however, that the bones can live and recombine into bodies. It's similar to recycling programs, which use discarded, wasted, loose plastic to create new products. Sadly, very little plastic is recycled. What would it be like if God gave the recycling process new life? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss precisely that.

The Third Sunday in Lent: John 4:5-26

Both Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well are thirsty; they go the well at noon, the hottest time off the day. The history of Interpretation, however, has mostly focused on “living water.” What would it look like to focus on their need for refreshing, drinkable, “regular water”? Jonathan and Seth do just that in this episode that focuses on water scarcity around the globe.

The First Sunday in Lent: Matthew 4:1-11

Tempted in the desert, Jesus refutes the Devil's offers with quips from scripture. This story has often been used to tell Christians to defeat temptations similarly. Is that a helpful paradigm? What does it look like to read this story through a wider ecological lens? Jonathan and Seth discuss how a more expansive view of this story sees Jesus' rooted in the Kingdom of heaven and the broader mission of God in the world. How can this reading help us to defeat contemporary temptations?

Lent 2023: Teaser

We're back for 40 days + Sundays. Look for new episodes every other Sunday focused on ecologically-minded readings of Lenten texts. We'll think about environmental degradation, repentance in the context of ransacked natural habitats, and how we can reorient our lives to love Creator and creation.

We're glad you're joining us.

Epiphany: Matthew 2:1-12

King Herod hears about a newborn King of the Jews. And like all despots, he wants to squash anyone who could be his political rival. This leads Jonathan and Seth to discuss contemporary politicians and their deep desire to remain in power. They discuss what this looks like when taken to the extreme and the way Jesus offers a different view of power that is not meant to be hoarded.

This episode also finishes our Advent and Christmas series on Christian Nationalism. We'll return during Lent with a new series that focuses on a new topic. Of course, we hope you enjoyed these episodes and will join us again starting on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd.

Christmas: Luke 2:8-20

Shepherds hear about the newborn, infant Christ. People who were dirty, spent their time with bleating sheep, and were social nobodies, hear about God in flesh first. Unlike Christian Nationalism that desires proximity to power, Jesus starts his life and continues his ministry alongside the powerless. It’s good news for all of us.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope the joy, peace, and love of Christ fill your heart this holy day.

Advent 4: Matthew 1:18-25

When he learns that Mary is pregnant, Joseph considers leaving her. But an angel appears to him saying that the words of the prophet are true: a virgin will give birth to a son, whose name will be Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God with us;" Jonathan and Seth explore this phrase in particular. It can be coopted and used to create enemies, but it can also form a faithful foundation that stands against Christian Nationalism, which narrowly defines "us" for political gain.

Advent 3: Matthew 11:7-19

John the Baptist is a wild man. He's spending time in the wild, he's eating insects in the wild, and he's wild about service to Jesus Christ. In the first installment of our Advent/Christmas season, Jonathan and Seth discuss how the wild and unexpected are antithetical to Christian nationalism. God often acts unexpectedly by flipping the norms of society and prioritizing service and those deemed "worthless."

We're thrilled to be back this Advent and Christmas season. We're even happier you're here on this journey with us.