In John's account of Jesus cleansing the Temple we see how Jesus commits to his pathway forward in a way that cannot be reversed. Our own call in be "all in" as we work towards the Kingdom of God is made apparent and speaks to us across the centuries to make our own commitment absolute.
In John's account of Jesus cleansing the Temple we see how Jesus commits to his pathway forward in a way that cannot be reversed. Our own call in be "all in" as we work towards the Kingdom of God is made apparent and speaks to us across the centuries to make our own commitment absolute.
From Paul's letter to the church at Rome we see an understanding of prayer that can help move us as the Body of Christ to more fully embrace the Kingdom of God. Coupled with the words of Jesus on self denial, we can move towards an experience of prayer that calls us to look to the interests of those who are marginalized and neglected through words and deeds.
From Paul's letter to the church at Rome we see an understanding of prayer that can help move us as the Body of Christ to more fully embrace the Kingdom of God. Coupled with the words of Jesus on self denial, we can move towards an experience of prayer that calls us to look to the interests of those who are marginalized and neglected through words and deeds.
We follow the theme of "new creation" from Isaiah to Revelation as we seek to understand the Good News proclaimed by Jesus and endorsed from the heavens at his baptism with the words. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
We follow the theme of "new creation" from Isaiah to Revelation as we seek to understand the Good News proclaimed by Jesus and endorsed from the heavens at his baptism with the words. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
On this Transfiguration Sunday we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration, alongside those of Matthew and Luke, to see how God's endorsement of Jesus in the presence of the great law giver, Moses, and the great prophet, Elijah, give him the authority to establish how the love of God and neighbor provide the framework upon which hangs all the law and the prophets.
On this Transfiguration Sunday we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration, alongside those of Matthew and Luke, to see how God's endorsement of Jesus in the presence of the great law giver, Moses, and the great prophet, Elijah, give him the authority to establish how the love of God and neighbor provide the framework upon which hangs all the law and the prophets.
In the NRSV, the 17 words of Lydia function to test the Apostle Paul as to his commitment to the idea that we are neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but are all one in Christ Jesus. Fortunately we are told that, "she prevailed upon us"!
In the NRSV, the 17 words of Lydia function to test the Apostle Paul as to his commitment to the idea that we are neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but are all one in Christ Jesus. Fortunately we are told that, "she prevailed upon us"!
In the story of Deborah and Jael we see how two women shape the course of the history of the people of God. In our churches today, are we making space for women to speak prophetically, judge Israel, and lead among us?
In the story of Deborah and Jael we see how two women shape the course of the history of the people of God. In our churches today, are we making space for women to speak prophetically, judge Israel, and lead among us?
We look to the words of the women in the Bible to shape and guide us as we seek to be equal - to be one in Christ Jesus - in the world today.
We look to the words of the women in the Bible to shape and guide us as we seek to be equal - to be one in Christ Jesus - in the world today.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the beginning of the Good News from Mark's Gospel, a message that challenges the then-existing sociopolitical structures and points towards a new way, one that leads from wilderness to Kingdom.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the beginning of the Good News from Mark's Gospel, a message that challenges the then-existing sociopolitical structures and points towards a new way, one that leads from wilderness to Kingdom.
On this First Sunday of Advent, we encounter a reading from Mark's Gospel, known as the little apocalypse, which interweaves the destruction of the existing order with encouragement to stay faithful as the new order is ushered in. The concept of "active waiting" for the fullness of the Kingdom reinforces our own responsibility as agents in bringing forth the Kingdom of God.
On this First Sunday of Advent, we encounter a reading from Mark's Gospel, known as the little apocalypse, which interweaves the destruction of the existing order with encouragement to stay faithful as the new order is ushered in. The concept of "active waiting" for the fullness of the Kingdom reinforces our own responsibility as agents in bringing forth the Kingdom of God.
On this Christ the King Sunday, the proclamation of Christ as King is seen through the lens of caring for "the least of these" and as allegiance to the Kingdom way of living in the world.
On this Christ the King Sunday, the proclamation of Christ as King is seen through the lens of caring for "the least of these" and as allegiance to the Kingdom way of living in the world.
In the minority reading of the parable of the talents, Jesus compares the economics of the Empire with the economics of the Kingdom and contrasts Empire teaching with the teachings of Torah. Once again, Jesus calls for allegiance to the Kingdom in the face of tremendous pressure to collude with the Empire and its economic model.
In the minority reading of the parable of the talents, Jesus compares the economics of the Empire with the economics of the Kingdom and contrasts Empire teaching with the teachings of Torah. Once again, Jesus calls for allegiance to the Kingdom in the face of tremendous pressure to collude with the Empire and its economic model.
Those who lay heavy burdens on the shoulders of others, making Torah a weight to be carried and not a joy to be experienced, come under close scrutiny by Jesus who manages to invert the expected order, saying, "The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."
Those who lay heavy burdens on the shoulders of others, making Torah a weight to be carried and not a joy to be experienced, come under close scrutiny by Jesus who manages to invert the expected order, saying, "The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."
In today's lectionary Gospel passage, Jesus provides an overarching view of Hebrew Scripture in terms of love of God and love of neighbor. His claim, along with the authority he cites to make this claim, led John Wesley to write in "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" that "You should be thoroughly aware of this—the heaven of heavens is love. There is nothing higher in religion; there is, in effect, nothing else; if you look for anything but more love, you are looking wide of the mark …" An...
In today's lectionary Gospel passage, Jesus provides an overarching view of Hebrew Scripture in terms of love of God and love of neighbor. His claim, along with the authority he cites to make this claim, led John Wesley to write in "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" that "You should be thoroughly aware of this—the heaven of heavens is love. There is nothing higher in religion; there is, in effect, nothing else; if you look for anything but more love, you are looking wide of the mark …" An...
Jesus, confronted with a question about taxes that is seemingly impossible to answer, shows how idolatry lies at the heart of the question and amazes his hearers with his response that questions where their loyalties really lie.
Jesus, confronted with a question about taxes that is seemingly impossible to answer, shows how idolatry lies at the heart of the question and amazes his hearers with his response that questions where their loyalties really lie.
In the minority reading of this parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is compared (and contrasted) to the worldly kingdom of Herod, showing how a different set of criteria establish the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.
In the minority reading of this parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is compared (and contrasted) to the worldly kingdom of Herod, showing how a different set of criteria establish the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.
