We live in world filled with uncertainties, especially since acts of terrorism have increased. What we used to take for granted, we are now concerned with, worrying over, upset by. Something that once was so simple—flying on an airplane—has become more complex than ever.

I held a number of part-time jobs growing up, working in lots of low-level departments in businesses, factories, and shops. Wherever I worked, one thing was always the same. My co-workers would eventually get around to saying, “Nobody appreciates what we do. If it weren’t for us, this place would fall apart.”

In this passage describing Jesus’ return to Galilee, Jesus is in a take-charge, electric mood. Imagine sitting in church and an altar boy from years ago walks up to the podium, reads from scripture about the coming of the Messiah, and then proclaims to the congregation that “this scripture is fulfilled this very day in me.”

Not long ago I gave a rousing speech at a tax relief rally about rising property taxes forcing people of moderate income to move out of their houses. After the speech I was congratulated by many people, including one shabbily dressed gentleman.

One of the best films about the joys and trials of growing up is Stand by Me. One of the heroes and the narrator of the tale is Gordy Lachance. His older brother was a star athlete and his parents’ obvious favorite.

Their company’s presentation to the new client wasn’t ready. Another day—even four or five more hours—and they could have had it in the right shape. But her partner said, “No, we’ve got to go.

Weddings are supposed to be joyful and happy for the bride and groom, their families, and all in attendance. But in our culture weddings have moved into the world of consumer excess and competition. Couples become blindsided by all of the details.

A friend shared this story with me: “I had really goofed up.  I had hurt my wife badly. She was angry at me, but mostly hurt. And I knew it. There was nothing I could do to undo what I had done.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Certainly he had nothing to repent, and he was already filled with the Spirit. So why did he bother? Perhaps it was for the same reason that doctors-in-training record their experiences as patients and lawyers in mock trials with law students serve as judge and jury.

Have a special great niece, less than a year old, appropriately named Grace. I was fortunate enough to baptize her. I had been told by my niece and her husband that had Grace been a boy, she would have been named after me. Maybe the next one.