This gospel message that we hear today is not for the faint of heart. It’s discomforting, to say the least. Because this is one of those texts where we realize how important it is to take the Bible seriously, but …
You never have to go far to find somebody in need. It’s something that Jesus knew intimately, as he tried without success to avoid notice in our scripture reading today. It’s also something that we’re reminded of every day. Check …
It really kind of feels like the disciples are getting attacked for a pretty minor infraction in our gospel today, isn’t it? After all, it’s not harming anybody else that they may not have properly washed their hands before eating. …
Most of us have experience that moment – when pure hope and excitement turns instead to disappointment and heart break. For some of us, it happens when that incredible new opportunity turns out to be full of caveats and exceptions. …
You may not be surprised to hear that with three kids in my house, I make a lot of sandwiches. Mostly peanut butter jelly sandwiches, but also the occasional grilled cheese or ham sandwich as well. Making these sandwiches, we …
Today begins a series of gospel readings where Jesus reflects on being the Bread of Life – the true bread from heaven. Last Sunday you heard another encounter of Jesus with the crowds that happens just prior to where our …
I don’t know about you, but I find there are days where it’s hard to slow down, where I can’t “turn it off,” for lack of better terms. You know, you’ve been working hard for a good chunk of the …
I’m going to try to put this passage in Mark’s gospel in a little context today. In many ways, this reporting of the death of John the Baptist seems like an afterthought in the gospel of Mark. It was pointed …
This particular passage from the gospel of Mark will always hold a special place in my heart, in part because of a near-miss I had with my home congregation. Some of you know that I spent my entire youth in …
I’m not sure how many of you get reminders on your phones – or maybe you simply saw something in your morning news feeds – but today is actually one of those holidays that’s been declared by presidents to be …
You know, every Holy Trinity Sunday comes, and the words of Jesus cut to the quick, because there’s a small part of me that gets imposter syndrome this weekend. If you’re not familiar, this is the Sunday where we recognize …
Sometimes we don’t know when the Holy Spirit is going to show up and do something unexpected. That’s the case for the disciples in our scripture reading today. The eleven disciples, with other followers alongside them, are in one place …