I'm on vacation this week. But I can't help write about this Sunday's Gospel, for it's about a women who will not give up—even when she is turned away by the disciples, and when Jesus seems cold and rude. She loves her daughter so much that she takes Jesus to the mat—and her daughter is healed. It is a stunning story,...
Read MoreRead More
This Saturday, on August 15th, Christians around the world will celebrate the life and witness of Mary. What do we know about her? Why does she matter? She is Jesus’ mother. Everything we know about her springs from that relationship. Well known are her life events: her encounter with the angel Gabriel; the haste with which she fled to see Elizabeth; the birth of Jesus...
Read MoreRead More
Biblical warriors are usually seen as armed with swords or bows or spears. But Martha and Mary of Bethany were warriors of the heart and soul, using tools of exhaustive hospitality and fierce love to engage Jesus as brother, friend and soulmate. Standout figures in the New Testament, the women provided Jesus with a place of healing and respite, one to...
Read MoreRead More
"Jesus died and rose from the dead." While not exactly a ho-hum expression, we often take it for granted. Think then, of the resurrection from another angle: What if no one had been there when Jesus walked out of that tomb? Would he have slogged through the streets of Jerusalem, perhaps winding up at Peter’s house? Would he have made his way to...
Read MoreRead More
In third grade, I was put in a coat room at the back of the classroom for being troublesome. The coat room was not a bad place at all. It was actually a lovely place to while away an hour or two. Much better than sitting on a stool wearing a dunce hat (yes, that happened too...
Read MoreRead More
Heads up! (Or, unfortunately, heads off…) One of the most evil women in biblical history shows up in the lectionary (Proper 10, Year B) this Sunday. Her name is Herodias; she’s married to the terroristic Herod, and she is the catalyst for the head of John the Baptist winding up on a platter. She is bloodthirsty, vengeful, selfish, ruthless—and a really bad...
Read MoreRead More
According to a recent poll,* Mother’s Day is second only to Christmas and Easter for church attendance. So when Johnny and Jimmy and Debbie take their mothers to church this Sunday, chances are they will hear a pleasant sermon, see pretty flowers, hear upbeat music. And perhaps enjoy a nice lunch afterward. Yet that sense of “nice,” so prevalent in the...
Read MoreRead More
Almost fifteen years ago, I had cancer. It was a tough time. I prefer acupuncture and yoga, but modern medicine clearly saves lives, and saved mine. My point is this: the valley of the shadow of death is a tough place. You’re surprised by who is there—and who is not. People on the edges surprise you: a kind pharmacy assistant,...
Read MoreRead More
I’m coming out of the closet theologically. On this day, when The Episcopal Church, and several other denominations, celebrate the Annunciation — that event when the angel Gabriel visits Mary with news of God’s astounding plan — I’ll throw my cards down. I’m taking the virgin birth on face value. I come at this issue with the best of liberal credentials....
Read MoreRead More