“I pray that, according to the riches of God’s glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through the Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love”
Ephesians 3:16-17
In the season of Lent this year, we are praying this prayer that Paul shared with those to whom he wrote in the church in Ephesus, for ourselves and for one another. We, too, are seeking to dwell in the heart with God and with Christ. This prayer beautifully illustrates one of the connections between faith and love: faith invites Jesus to dwell with us; love grounds us so that we can make that invitation, and so that we can grow from it.
As we slow down during Lent, setting aside distractions and busyness in favor of relationship-building and clarity of purpose, we make room to focus ourselves on the entwined faith and love that are at the heart of things, both as individuals and as a whole community. I pray that you, each and every one of you, are strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit for the turning towards the center that Lent demands of us. I pray that you are rooted in love and open, in faith, to Christ’s presence with you.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Our PastorsMegan Berkowitz
March 7, 2025 It was a gift to pray with so many of you throughout the day on Ash Wednesday and at our ecumenical evening service. I appreciated how thoughtful and open everyone I spoke with was about the intentions they were setting for Lent. Learn More - From Our Pastors: February 14 2025Megan Berkowitz
February 14, 2025 I had the great privilege of visiting the new FamilyAid Family Navigation Center on Washington Street for the first time this week. Speeches were made, a ribbon was cut with many giant scissors, and people from throughout the Commonwealth who care about supporting homeless families gathered to celebrate and network together. The most inspiring part of the day for me, though, was the tour. Learn More - From Our Pastors: February 7, 2025Amy Clark Feldman
February 7, 2025 I’ve been especially grateful this week for our eight-week series on Spiritual Resiliency. Truth-be-told, I’ve had moments of doubting my resiliency in the face of the on-slaught of news this week, with a desire to pull the covers over my head. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 31, 2025Pastor Megan
January 31, 2025 We’ll read in this Sunday’s scripture passage about conflicts between Jesus and other Jewish religious leaders at the time over the observance of Sabbath restrictions. This, and other similar passages, have given rise to generations of interpretation that sets Jesus against religious authority, against Judaism, and against the Law. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 24 2025Pastor Megan
January 24, 2025Staying Grounded
Given the tremendous outpouring of news this week, beginning with TikTok and the Presidential inauguration and continuing through executive orders and new wildfires, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I’m working to take it all in a little bit at a time, to stay open and stay grounded. Learn More - From Our Pastors: January 17, 2025Pastor Megan
January 17, 2025Spiritual Resilience
Last Sunday was the first in an 8-week worship series on Spiritual Resilience, where we will together explore how tools from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and from Christian scripture and tradition can help us all to foster spiritual resilience through challenging times.
Learn More - MOSAICPastor Amy
January 10, 2025 Last week, nearly 40 youth came from all around Newton and Boston, almost exactly one-third from the Muslim Al-Huda Society in Chelsea; one-third from the Jewish community; and one-third from Christian churches. Learn More - From Our PastorsPastor Megan
January 3, 2025 The new year is a time when many of us choose to reflect on what is behind us and what is ahead. I have a few traditions at the new year: Learn More