Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28;Mark 12:38-44 As I was reading articles about the creative and exciting work being done by people across the country to insure that we have a livable future, I thought of the two widows featured in today’s Scriptures. These women had next to nothing in terms of material wealth, but they were willing to risk… read more →
Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3: 1-3; Matthew 5: 1-12a I have been privileged to be with my parents, dear family members and treasured friends as they put on their Crown of Glory and stepped into the kingdom. I am always in awe of the translucent glow that comes over the face of one going home. Death, the transition… read more →
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10:46 -52 Mark tells us in today’s Gospel, that Jesus is leaving Jericho. He is heading to Jerusalem. And there is a blind man sitting “by the roadside.” We know this road, this road from Jericho up to Jerusalem. It is the road Jesus tells us about in the Parable of the Good… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45 Today’s Gospel story of the disciples fighting about who will sit closest to Jesus reminds me of the media coverage Pope Francis’ recent visit, with the media always surprised at who was “sitting at the Pope’s side.” Members of Congress? Homeless people? The United Nations? Children with disabilities? Prisoners? It didn’t make sense… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11, Hebrews 4:12-13, Mark 10:17-30 Recently, there was a story in the news about a young entrepreneur who announced that he was raising all the salaries of his employees to match his own—$70,000! A few months earlier, a college president had announced he was cutting his salary in order to give all college employees a raise. An obituary… read more →
Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 When I prepare to preach on a weekend I like to read the readings early on in the week and see what “jumps out” at me. Usually this same theme stays with me for the whole week and I often see things fall into place around it. As I reviewed this week’s readings early… read more →
Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Today’s absolutely rich scripture lessons lead me to one thought: How easy it is to jump right into the argument about who has the right to be officially considered a prophet or a fellow-worker with Jesus and who is excluded. It’s a credentials dispute. We set up “sides,” like at a high… read more →
WIS 2:12, 17-20; PS 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8; JAS 3:16—4:3; MK 9:30-37 At every turn, there’s conflict. Turmoil. Cravings gone awry. In today’s readings. On the road with Jesus and his disciples. On our everyday roads, as well. Pick up a newspaper. Watch the news. What do we see? What do we hear? Conflict. Turmoil. Cravings gone awry. On a train in France,… read more →
Isaiah 50:5-9a, James 2:14-18 and Mark 8:27-35 Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ!” This Gospel and today’s reading from James remind us that, followers of Jesus do not just say who he is but act like him! Peter missed that. And Peter did not want Jesus to suffer. None of us… read more →
Isaiah 35: 4-7a, Mark 7: 31-37 The prophet Isaiah hundreds of years, before the birth of Jesus Christ, describes the ancient Israelites’ understanding of their God. Isaiah in all its beauty and compassion might surprise some Christian listeners who may tend to see the God of the Old Testament as a harsh judge. We often hear that, don’t we? “The… read more →