November 18, 2018 November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. In the last week of his life, Jesus warned his disciples concerning trials that were to come upon them and upon the world. He exhorts the listener: Do not be alarmed. These predictions provoke […]
November 11, 2018 Widows are visible everywhere in today’s readings. Jesus denounces those scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows’ houses. After engaging in a series of public arguments with religious leaders in the temple, Jesus contrasts the proud and oppressive ways of those leaders with the sacrificial humility and poverty of the widow. […]
November 4, 2018 TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR AT BEDTIME SATURDAY NIGHT! When a scribe asks Jesus, which commandment is first of all, Jesus answers that love of God and love of neighbor are interconnected and define the heart of the kingdom of God. This is exactly one of the texts Mark Twain had […]
October 28, 2018 Bartimaeus, a blind beggar sitting by the roadside, comes to Jesus with faith, asking that he might see again. Recognizing Jesus’ identity, Bartimaeus is the first person to call him “Son of David” in the Gospel of Mark. Mark tells us, often, Jesus refuses to let people stay on the sidelines. This […]
October 21, 2018 Please remember to bring your Commitment Card with you to worship this Sunday as we conclude our Stewardship Campaign, Because of God’s Great Mercy. Today’s gospel starts with disciples obsessing over who’s number one, which leads Jesus to say something about God’s take on importance and power. Here Jesus makes it explicit […]
October 14, 2018 I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a sermon on this text, Mark 10:17-31, that didn’t trash this rich man. Since this text usually comes up while many congregations are in the midst of a stewardship campaign, trashing the rich man often becomes the preacher’s way to arm-twist members into increasing their monetary […]
October 7, 2018 Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us […]
September 30, 2018 How do you define authentic, genuine Christians? Are people like you – age, economic status, ethnicity, race, piety, political party, sexual orientation – the only ones eligible to belong? Mark tells us, Jesus was teaching the disciples when John rushed in like Chicken Little screaming the sky was falling. “Teacher, we saw […]
September 23, 2018 Conventional wisdom is a term coined by the economist John Kenneth Galbraith. The phrase describes certain ideas or explanations generally accepted as true. So-called conventional wisdom may be either true or false. Conventional wisdom can be a barrier to new ideas and explanations. Meaning, despite new and different information, CW gets “set […]
September 16, 2018 Jesus and Peter don’t see eye to eye on what the Messiah’s mission is – especially that ugly cross thing! (Mark 7:24-37) It’s an issue that still haunts the church. We all need to be able to tell folks why church matters – to ourselves, to God and to the communities in […]
