Bread for the World Preacher

	February 2014 www.bread.org
Dear Patty, In this season of new year's resolutions and new starts, we celebrate that Congress just last week passed a budget without shuttering the government. Perhaps we are seeing small cracks in the walls that divide us politically. Our pleas and prayers for an end to the political brinkmanship are making a difference. The lectionary passages for this month address the Why? and the How? of doing justice work. The texts urge us toward justice and righteousness, not only in our personal devotions, but also in our public lives. In some instances, we will challenge our communities to ground their justice work in a devotional life. And in other cases, we will challenge our communities to extend their personal devotions into the world to act for justice. Grace and peace, Rev. Nancy Neal Associate for Denominational Women's Organzation Relations, Bread for the World Lectionary Reflections  The following excerpts from "Preaching God's Transforming Justice: Year A" are offered to Bread for the World with permission from Westminster John Knox Press. All other rights are reserved. Copies of the full lectionary resource may be purchased from the publisher. February 2, 2014 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany As in Jesus' beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6), the psalmist offers direction for those who seek sanctuary in the presence of God. The dos and don'ts of God's holiness code are as to "walk blamelessly," "speak the truth," avoid "slander," refrain from evil acts, honor God-fearers, keep promises, unburden the financially enslaved, and protect the innocent. To live thus is to earn the label "righteous one." Read more » February 9, 2014 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany [A] deeper, heartfelt, and communal measure of righteousness is held out in Isaiah’s text that admonishes us to share bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into our houses, cover those who are naked, and not hide ourselves from our own kin (v. 7). While the reference to kin appears to be a reminder of communal accountability among the ancient Israelites, given the advances of technology that connect humanity across the planet today, a contemporary global vision of how we are all connected and must be accountable to one another worldwide is also clear. Read more » February 16, 2014 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany The honor and gratitude due to God subvert all human competition and divisions within the community of faith. Paul’s theological vision thus leads to radical Christian practices that embody an alternative to the surrounding culture. Rather than simply reflect the social divisions of the time, Paul declares, those who trust in God are called to subvert those divisions in their life together. In a church and society that are deeply divided today, Paul’s words remain critical and challenging. Read more » February 23, 2014 Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany At the center of this Gospel text is a continuation of the idea that perfection is found in a disposition of life that reflects God’s disposition toward creation. Of particular note is the way that Jesus frames this disposition. It is explicitly toward the well-being and flourishing of those normally cast outside of one’s circle of care. Specifically, the text enjoins this felicitous disposition toward those who would normally be objects of our enmity. Read more » Praying Together Prayer for Justice Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it: a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor; a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect; a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Resources for Your Ministry New Advocacy Resources for Pastors Bread for the World has produced a new set of resources specifically for pastors to support your advocacy with your congressional representatives for policies to end hunger around the world. The folder for pastors contains a variety of resources that describe the unique role of church leaders in advocating for U.S. poverty-focused foreign assistance. These resources can serve as tools as you learn about, teach, and carry out advocacy. If we have your mailing address, you will automatically receive the advocacy folder for pastors in the mail by Feb. 14. If you have not received a copy of the folder by then, let us know (jnoetzel@bread.org or 800-822-7323, ext. 1109), and we’ll mail you a complimentary copy. If you would like to be included in other mailings, you can update your contact information by sending it to memberservices@bread.org. 2014 Offering of Letters Bread for the World's 2014 Offering of Letters focuses on reforming U.S. food-aid programs—one part of the federal government’s poverty-focused foreign-assistance programs, which provide critically needed food in times of disaster and famine and have saved millions of lives. We need to assure funding for these programs continues and, at the same time, we need to reform them to make them more efficient and effective. Order an Offering of Letters kit for $10: www.bread.org/store; 800-822-7323, ext. 1072; publications@bread.org.