For and Against and With Mark 9:38-50 This seems like the wrong week to speak about being in community with those we disagree with. The confirmation hearing for Judge Kavanaugh has unearthed, once again, the deep divisions among us: divisions along the lines of gender, along the lines of use of power, along the lines … read
A while back I heard a scholar say that the gospel of Mark can be understood as a circular thing. The gospel begins with the adult Jesus in Galilee, starting his ministry, and it ends with an angel in the empty tomb telling the women to go back to Galilee and the risen Jesus will … read
It happens so quickly. In anger, you text and push send. Immediately, you wonder if you should have waited. Now, you can’t take it back. Or, the words tumbled from your tongue. And you wish you’d had the patience to count to ten before speaking. “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small … read
The comic strip “Momma” by Mell Lazarus shows Momma’s youngest son, Francis, dropping by her house and saying, “Momma, I’m bringing my new girlfriend in to meet you. Now, will you keep an open mind?” Momma replies, “Yes, dear.” “Remember, Momma, an open mind! Open!” She waits, smiling to herself, and in the last frame, … read
Do you remember way back last spring when it was all royal wedding all the time? Television, newspapers, Facebook, supermarket tabloids—Harry and Meghan’s faces were everywhere. We referred to them by their first names! We knew everything about the wedding—who was invited, what they were wearing, what all the obscure customs meant. The British royals … read
My problem with some of these monarchy or kingship stories is that my first response is often cynical. In my defense, I need to point out that even the narrator of the story is cynical today. Or at least snarky. Solomon asks for the gift of wisdom in such a pious way that it sounds … read