Jesus said: “But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.”

–Luke 4.25-30

• Do you enjoy going back to your hometown? Why do you go back?
• Have you ever had to tell someone you cared about some news or information you know they’re not going to like to hear? Did you do it or were you too afraid to speak the truth?
• How does God invite you into positive relationships with others? Are you aware of those invitations?
• Why do you think Jesus tells his hometown these stories?

Often we come to church expecting to hear nice, sweet, and uplifting messages that warm our hearts and make us feel good.  But sometimes there are things in life we need to hear that aren’t always cupcakes and rainbows; sometimes we need to hear a challenge for us to grow beyond our expectations. Finding our place in the kingdom is good, but finding someone else’s place in the kingdom is even better. I hope to see you at Trinity Commons on Sunday night at 6pm to hear Jesus remind you that the kingdom of God includes other people, and that means you need to let go of some expectations for yourself. It’s a harder message to hear and practice than you might think.  And our good friend Joshua Richman will be bringing supper for us after the service; come for the Eucharist and stay for dinner (Joshua is a great cook) and listen to the story your neighbor has to tell.