Herodias: Bad Momma

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...

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Real Mothers of the Bible: To Hell and Back for Their Children

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...

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Claim the Joy

While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.” (Matthew 24:43) Think of yourself as alive some 2000 years ago. You’re a follower of Jesus, and still in shock that he was killed....

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Women of Lent 6: Mary, Jesus’ mother

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....

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Women of Lent 2: Mary of Bethany

Sensual. Tender. Loving. Discerning. Clearly Mary of Bethany was Jesus' soulmate. How else might we describe a woman who sits at Jesus’ feet, listens carefully to his every word, pours expensive oil over said feet, then dries them with her hair? Jesus has no better friend; no better listener; no better soul partner. The setting: Martha’s small home in Bethany. A scant two...

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