Category Archives: Ponderings
10th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 13; Year B
It is interesting how this Sunday’s readings come together: 2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a with Psalm 51: 1-13; Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 with Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16 and John 6:24-35 The story of God judging David (through Nathan) for his murder … Continue reading
The beheading of John the Baptist–Mark 6: 14-29
The Gospel passage for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost in Year B is Mark’s rather gory story of John’s beheading at the request of Herod’s wife via Herodias, his daughter. (The identities of Herod, Herodias [the mother] and Herodias [the … Continue reading
Friendship
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15: 13-14) In his daily meditations this last week Richard Rohr focussed on … Continue reading
Poisonous Serpents (Numbers 21:4-9 & John 3: 14-21)
Confession: When I first read this Sunday’s readings, I didn’t see any connections between the Israelites’ problem with serpents and our current times. But then we had a discussion of the Gospel during “Gospel Preview” and things became clearer. (Dean … Continue reading
“Get behind me, Satan!” — Mark 8: 31-38
Peter gets rebuked, again. Peter is the bold one. He is the one who steps forward and says what he (and the others?) are thinking. Or are they? Mark never says what the other disciples are thinking. Peter often acts … Continue reading
Short Supply: The Pandemic Vaccine and Other Resources
The reports of Covid-19 vaccine shortages are increasing. There is much anxiety and frustration in the U.S. about supply and distribution. England seems to be doing ok but some countries in the European Union are experiencing shortages (while others seem … Continue reading
Epiphany 4: Mark 1:21-28
On the Sabbath Jesus does what most Jewish men do. He goes to the synagogue to read the Torah and Prophets and to pray. This was in Capernaum and he was traveling, presumably with those he had called earlier to … Continue reading
Stuff
“Actually this is just a place for my stuff, ya know? That’s all, a little place for my stuff. That’s all I want, that’s all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff, ya know? I can … Continue reading
Endless Advent (Advent and the Pandemic) — Shared Thoughts
Like many other Christians I have been reflecting on how our time the season of advent in which we celebrate the disciplines of patience and fruitful waiting can serve us as we continue to look forward to the end of … Continue reading
Utopia, Optimism, Dystopia
On September 11, 2001, our daughter was seven years old. We all woke up that morning to a horrific “accident” at the World Trade Center. It very quickly became apparent that this was not an accident; it was an attack … Continue reading