5/4/2020

Love Casts Out Fear

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.

June 7
Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20
June 14
Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 9:35-10:8
June 21
Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-39
June 28
Genesis 22:1-14 and Matthew 10:40-42

 

Rev. Dr. Neal Presa

Rev. Dr. Neal Presa

The Rev. Neal D. Presa, Ph.D. is Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of San José. He also serves as Affiliate Associate Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Senior Fellow of The Center for Pastor Theologians. He is past chair (2020-2022) and vice chair (2018-2020) of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Foundation. He served as Moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012-2014), and he currently represents the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on the World Council of Churches Central Committee and Executive Committee, where he is moderator of the finance policy committee. He is moderator of the Theology Working Group for the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ 27th General Council (2025, Chiang Mai). He is author/(co-)editor of nine books and over 100 essays, journal articles, and book reviews, including the recent Worship, Justice, and Joy: A Liturgical Pilgrimage (Cascade, 2025), as part of the Worship & Witness series in partnership with the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship and with funding from the Louisville Institute. For two decades he served congregations in New Jersey and California, and as a senior administrative faculty and visiting professor/research fellow in theological institutions in the United States, Philippines, and South Africa. He is married to Grace née Rhie (a publisher of English books on Korean subjects) and they have two college age sons. Connect with Neal on social media @NealPresa or email Neal@sanjosepby.org.

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