Category Archives: Lectio Divina

Reflections on lectionary readings

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

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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

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The madness of religious prophets -Mark 3: 20-21

The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”Jesus’ family tried to … Continue reading

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Lent & the Catechumenate

It may seem strange to be focussing on Lent during Eastertide but insights come when they will. My brother-in-law and I oftentimes discuss “matters religious” when we get together. He is a conservative Catholic for whom doctrine and dogma are … Continue reading

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Greeks seeking Jesus: John 12: 20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then … Continue reading

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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

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I Corinthians 1:18-25 — 3rd Sunday of Lent

Isaiah 29:14: I will destroy….I wil thwart This passage always brings me up short. It is a warning to those of us who strive towards faith either through study or meditation. The opening verse is the first clue: The message … Continue reading

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“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

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The Transfiguration — Mark 9:2-9

2 Kings 2: 1-12 — Elijah’s Ascent in a whirlwind: I want to say a few words about this passage before moving on to the related Gospel passage. This is another vivid Hebrew Scripture story. There are a number of … Continue reading

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Mark 1:29-39 — Being pushed and pulled

So Jesus goes to Simon and Andrew’s house. James and John go along. (These four are the only named disciples at this time.) Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. “He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.” (A … Continue reading

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