Weekly Liturgy : February 2-8
- John
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Matthew 5:13-20
NRSV
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
REFLECTION
from John
It’s the Kindom Revealed (Part II).
Last week Jesus opened his manifesto with a demographic survey of a new privileged citizenry. But it’s not what anyone expected. The upper-class in God’s territory are not the wealthy and the powerful, but those in marginalized and dependent social positions. Blessing comes through vulnerability.
But vulnerability is scary. It takes work. So this week, Jesus follows that preamble with a word of encouragement for those listening with wide eyes and worry about whether this would-be Messiah could really be their hope for a heaven-on-earth reality. Those of us so listening in the year of our Lord 2026 might also receive it as both bidding and balm.
In our context of deportation raids and family separation policies, international invasions and colonial fantasies, welfare cuts and inhumane housing requirements, neo-nazi slogans and federally sanctioned murders, we who long for a different world must remember: violence cannot drive out violence; empire can not dismantle empire.
The call on those of us who would follow Jesus is more subversive and vulnerable than the hostility we seek to replace. And we cannot lose our hope - every act of love, compassion, and hospitality toward a neighbor, especially those identified as Other, is a grain of salt and flash of light in a dark and stale world.
And when it feels like we are failing, we can still be sure: the only thing God has ever wanted (and the only way God ever shows up), is the most subversive and vulnerable force there is…
Love.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
This week, share some gratitude for someone’s unseen contributions, like your IT team for keeping systems running smoothly, or your family member, for picking up after themselves without being asked.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Do you notice yourself using the word “should” to evaluate someone else’s (or your own) behavior? Next time you want to use “should” to ask for something, try translating that word into a personal value.
Instead of telling yelling at the slow driver in front of you that they “should drive better!” try reminding yourself instead: “I prefer driving at a higher speed and others are allowed to drive at the speed they feel most safe.”
Pathway Toward Center
Caregiving (loving God by compassionately serving others):
Is there anyone in your life who lives alone? Offer to complete one of their household chores for them this week.
Questions for Reflection
What might Love be asking of you during this moment of human history?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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