Love Casts Out Fear
May 4, 2020 by Rev. Dr. Neal Presa
After the seasons of Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, the lectionary texts for June narrate some of the ways God’s comprehensive love is displayed in the natural world, in the struggles of the matriarchs and patriarchs of the faith, in communities which grapple with life and faith, and in the calling of God upon all of creation to dispel fear with love. These sacred texts, and the Lord who speaks in and through them, draw us to deeper, wider, higher love – to welcome God and to welcome neighbor. In these challenging and unprecedented times of COVID-19, the holy God of holy Scripture reassures us that no virus can undo the viral love of the Lord.
Please click on the image below to go to read that date's lectionary preview.
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June 7 Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20 |
June 14 Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 9:35-10:8 |
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June 21 Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-39 |
June 28 Genesis 22:1-14 and Matthew 10:40-42 |
Neal D. Presa is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Foundation. He is the Associate Pastor for Family and Connecting Ministries and Coordinator for the Faith & Work Initiative at the Village Community Presbyterian Church (Rancho Santa Fe, CA), Visiting Professor of Practical Theology at the International Theological Seminary (West Covina, CA), Visiting Professor and Scholar at the Union Theological Seminary (Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines), Research Fellow of Practical and Missional Theology at the University of the Free State (Bloemfontein, South Africa), and a Fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians (Oak Park, IL). He previously served as Moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Ecumenically, he is the Co-Vice Chair of the current Third Round of Bilateral Dialogues between the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and for nearly six years he led the Caribbean and North American Area Council of both the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, serving on the executive committees of both organizations. To connect with Neal via LinkedIn, go to: linkedin.com/in/NealPresa