But this year, there are more people trying Dry January than ever before and it’s no wonder why. According to a recent survey, there has been a predictable increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. More people are drinking greater amounts of alcohol. What this pandemic drinking tells us is that it’s not just social events, peer pressure, or societal expectation that inspires drinking. But drinking, even more than before, can take place in isolation.
I have more supports, more accountability, and more experience than ever before and I am so grateful and so much healthier for it. But I am just as close, if not closer to relapsing.
Because sitting at home in isolation today, I know that I could fall into the temptation of substance bliss all over again. And unfortunately, if I can feel that temptation, I know that there are hundreds (probably thousands) of people that are experiencing that temptation too. And I know that there are hundreds (probably thousands) of young people that may be learning the power of alcohol or other substances during this time of isolation. Getting lost in whatever brief euphoria they can manufacture in attempts to numb the pain and release anger and frustration.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, or "Good Shepherd Sunday," invites reflection on movement and the dynamics of being led by Christ. It emphasizes that Jesus, as the gate, facilitates passage from confinement to life, contrasting with those who steal life. The season calls for recognition of voices that guide us toward freedom, connection, and abundance.
Luke’s Emmaus story shows the risen Christ meeting disciples in confusion, not clarity. As they tell their story, Jesus reframes it—expanding their understanding of suffering, hope, and God’s work. This text invites preachers to help congregations re-narrate their lives and shared stories in light of resurrection, discovering Christ already present among them.
Resurrection does more than celebrate an empty tomb. In John 20, Jesus forms a community shaped by peace and forgiveness. To wounded disciples carrying fear, regret, and failure, Christ breathes the Spirit and sends them out. The church becomes a people learning to forgive others—and themselves—in a wounded world.
The Easter narrative in Matthew emphasizes the quiet uncertainty of resurrection, contrasting with celebratory worship. Resurrection is depicted as a transformative event that propels the disciples into action. Rather than serving as a conclusion, it marks the beginning of the church's mission, urging believers to carry Jesus' message into the world.
The Easter Vigil uniquely begins in darkness, emphasizing the resurrection's quiet start in a garden. Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ reveals layers of meaning, connecting themes of creation and renewal. The gardener's role symbolizes God's ongoing work in cultivating life, hope, and restoration, echoing the story's origins in Eden.
Maundy Thursday evokes deep emotions as Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, foreshadowing betrayal and crucifixion. John’s Gospel highlights Jesus washing the disciples' feet, emphasizing humility and service. The new commandment to love one another, demonstrated through this act, defines true discipleship, contrasting worldly power with selfless love and community.
Palm Sunday begins with celebration, but Matthew’s story ends with a question: “Who is this?” As Jesus enters Jerusalem like a king—but not the kind people expect—the crowds reveal how easily we shape Jesus around our hopes. This reflection invites preachers to explore the tension between expectation, misunderstanding, and Christ’s true identity.
As Lent nears its end, the story of Lazarus in John's Gospel highlights profound themes of grief and divine presence. Jesus, despite knowing the outcome, engages with the sorrow of Mary and Martha, illustrating God's empathetic nature. The narrative emphasizes the church's role in being present with those who mourn, reinforcing the promise of the Holy Spirit's abiding companionship.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man blind from birth, depicting a deeper narrative about identity and recognition rather than merely the miracle. The healed man's struggle for acceptance highlights societal perceptions of disability. The story invites reflection on how communities recognize and redefine individuals beyond past labels, emphasizing a divine understanding of identity.
The Gospel of John presents a transformative encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well, emphasizing the theme of thirst. Initially, it is Jesus who expresses need, destabilizing traditional power dynamics. This paradox reflects the essence of the incarnation, illustrating that God's love embraces vulnerability and shared humanity, inviting deeper spiritual recognition.
Micah Krey 