Matthew 6: 7-18

            In the current movie The Interpreter, one of the main characters tells a native African story about justice. When someone is convicted of murder, they are taken down to the river; their hands are tied so they can't swim, and they are thrown into the water, in front of the murder victim's family.

Matthew 6: 1-6

            Before long, the Roman Catholic cardinals will conduct a conclave to select a new pope. It will be historic and fascinating, especially since there has not needed to be one for over 25 years. Unlike some other times, there is no clear frontrunner - there are a dozen or so good candidates, and, no doubt, speculation is high about who it might be. It will be a prayerful and holy time, but also a political one, and much behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Matthew 5: 38-48

            "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," is one of the oldest laws for governing society. People seem to misconstrue it in two ways. First of all, they believe it is barbaric. What else can you say about a law that talks about cutting off a hand, or knocking out a tooth?

Matthew 5: 33-37

            Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? 

Matthew 28:1-10

            Something strange is happening in Death Valley - perhaps you've read about it; flowers are blooming. This has not happened in anybody's lifetime. I have visited Death Valley, on a day that registered 126 degrees in the shade. The whole place is desolate, dry, parched land - average rainfall, less than two inches per year. Suddenly, this year, without warning or explanation, rain has fallen in Death Valley, and flowers are growing - pink, purple, and white; knee-high. A veteran ranger on the news said, "You know, just as soon as you think you have it all figured out, this old earth will jump up and surprise you. I suppose anything is possible now."

Matthew 21: 1-11

            Our scripture lesson is about a party. This week we saw a lot of parties going on - St. Patrick's Day, with its parades and speeches, and, unfortunately, in many peoples' opinion, its excessive drinking. Also unfortunately, at least from the perspective of Central New Yorkers, was the green party that took place in Vermont on Friday night - we had hoped it would be an orange party, but Vermont beat Syracuse in the NCAA basketball tournament. But across the nation, winning basketball teams will have parties - we call it March Madness. So we know what a party is all about.