20180401EasterDay Middle of the Story Literarily and theologically, Mark’s gospel ends awkwardly at 16:8. The women are astonished and afraid, and what most scholars consider the original ending of Mark seems more like the middle of the story than its … read full post
Receiving and Handing On Paul writes to the Corinthians, “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” He refers to the institution of the Lord’s supper, but the pattern of receiving and handing on applies … read full post
A Different Kind of Bloodline Combining into one liturgy the “Hosanna!” of the triumphal palm procession and the “Crucify him!” of the passion drama—especially as filtered through Paul’s image of the “exalted” slave—invites a meditation on the mystery of Jesus’ … read full post
The Cosmic Love of God The prologue of John’s gospel begins with the story of creation, connecting the Word that became flesh in Jesus with the bringing forth of life and all things. Then, as the gospel continues, the testimony … read full post
Announcement Packet 20180304 … read full post
Clearing a Path to Worship In the gospel for today, Jesus discovers that the temple has been turned from a place of worship into a marketplace. The predominance of the selling of animals and the exchanging of money for profit … read full post
Promises, Promises The story of God’s relationship with God’s people is a story of promises fulfilled. We hear about God’s covenant with Sarah and Abraham in today’s Genesis reading and about its fulfillment in the New Testament texts. As Paul … read full post
The Power of Water Water is an integral part of the created order. Water sustains and fosters life; too little or too much water can end it. A glance at the news headlines points out the destructive power of water’s … read full post
Transfiguration: Amazing Then and Now Imagine what would happen if someone from the days of Jesus were suddenly transported to our present. How would someone accustomed to walking everywhere respond to driving in a car at top speed, let alone … read full post
God Heals Persons and Communities When Jesus heals us, we are empowered to serve others. While at first glance it might seem that Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law was self-serving, on further reflection we see the same result in nearly … read full post
