Jesus begins his ministry in John by flipping tables. Since we are doing this out of order, let’s review. Jesus gets baptized by John, starts calling his disciples, gets mom pressured into turning water into wine. His first official act as the messiah is to go into the temple and flip the tables of the… Read More
The Pastoral is Political: Honor Thy Children’s Mother
I wonder what would have happened if Joseph chose to be incompatible with Mary and took her to the divorce courts of today’s era. They lived under Jewish law which was based strongly on the ten commandments wherein the command is given, “Honor your father and mother.” Sadly, no standard was given explicitly for how… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Respect As Spiritual Practice
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 Is respect becoming an old-fashioned idea we remember only when we miss it? Today’s readings left me thinking a lot about respect. Wonder along with me about wanting respect, offering it, changing the criteria for it, and losing it. What did you think respect was and… Read More
RCL: Foolishness, Wisdom, and Community
Usually, Lent calms me. I realize that it’s okay, even necessary, to acknowledge my brokenness, my sharp edges, my weak places, and my overall need for God’s power and presence. It’s not working this year. Maybe because I have stopped trying to cover over or ignore those parts of me that aren’t so pretty or… Read More
RCL
Matthew 21: 33-46 I don’t know how to read such a rending text on the heels of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma & Maria, and the violence in both Rohingya and Las Vegas. Its hard for me to read about the brutal killing of the messengers and the son of the landowner. And, the response by the… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: The Rules of Engagement Edition
The Narrative Lectionary commentary from Rolf Jacobson is here. Please note that there is one long commentary the entirety of the Ten Commandments series. Who among us has not been tempted to respond, “Because I said so” to a repeated “Whyyyyyyy?” from a child or other adult? That shorthand response stems from frustration. We… Read More
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