Ministry in the Gap Between God and Us
Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13–4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 The greatest is the servant of all Mark 9:34-35 It will be very tempting to approach Mark’s gospel lesson this week as an opportunity to preach against privilege and economic status. The systems of injustice that insist on pervading our society make easy to jump the …
Continue reading “Lections for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost”
Who do you say that Jesus is? (Mark 8:29) Yes, the people needed a new hero. Some decades back, Herod the Great had failed to keep the Roman legions at bay. Israel was once more a vassal state, militarily occupied and economically controlled by gentiles. The Sinai covenant shattered. A once proud and faithful nation …
Continue reading "Lections for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, September 16, 2018."
Be Opened (Mark 7:34) Mark brings to us this weekend perhaps the most unconventional of the encounters Jesus has with anyone in the gospels. It is one that breaks many conventions of the time, and some that we experience yet today. Jesus is by himself, in an undisclosed residence, most likely taking a break from …
Continue reading "Lections for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, September 9, 2018."
Bridging Faith 