Six Stone Jars

Six weeks of reflections on the economy of Jesus

Dear Readers,

For the next six weeks, I’m preaching a series from Worship Design Studio on the economy of Jesus. It is nothing like Econ 101 about supply and demand, profits and losses. Jesus’ economy emphasizes what we need more than goods and services: hope, purpose, healing, meaning, vision, and grace. Unless these values drive our actions, the consumer mindset will overpower us and flatten us into making each other commodities. The series uses the symbol of the six stone jars of water which Jesus transformed into wine. This metaphor illustrates moving from fear and scarcity to embracing a sense of enough and the finding abundance in community. I’ve already preached the first sermon and will drop it here on Substack tomorrow.

This series is based on the weekly lectionary texts presenting some real challenges. Jesus proclaims liberty for the oppressed and almost gets thrown off a cliff in his hometown. He later blesses the poor and sends woe to the rich, yet love your enemies. This early section from Luke’s Gospel (chapters 4-6) challenges us to identify where we stand in society, especially in our relationships with people who are poor and suffering in some way. There is no hiding in our comfortable enclaves in an economy where love is the guiding hand.

If you follow along, our church is reading, “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural Word.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, who also wrote “Braiding Sweetgrass,” delivers wisdom from nature that reorients how we think about our place in the world. Our thinking on economy and abundance must adapt to see our greater kinship with all of life. I will be posting quotes in Notes during the week.

A spiritual practice for this series is to find a clay jar (stone isn’t easy to find) and fill it with notes when you see kindness, hope, or beauty in the world. Keep small pieces of paper nearby and fill your jar for six weeks with notes on what really matters in the economy of your soul. As always, I would love to hear how my words are landing from you. Thank you for inviting me into your inbox to share this journey with you.

January 19 - “Fill My House With Hope”

John 2:1-11

January 26 -“Fill My Plans with Purpose”

Luke 4:14-21

February 2 - “Fill My Wounds with Healing”

Luke 4:22-30

February 9. - “Fill My Days with Meaning”

Luke 5:1-11

February 16 “Fill My Future with Vision”

Luke 6:17-26

February 23 - “Fill My Cup with Grace”

Luke 6:27-38