21st Sunday after Pentecost Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31 In our Mark gospel narrative for this Sunday, a pious and polite rich man approaches Jesus respectfully and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life (verse 17). By kneeling, he treats Jesus with deference and extends the additional courtesy of …
The Word this Sunday – 09.29.24
19th Sunday after Pentecost Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 An M.D. friend once shared with me that Jesus' short speech on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Mark 9:43-49) reminded him of ancient battlefield injuries and some techniques used to treat them. Salt and fire would stop the bleeding and prevent …
The Word this Sunday – 09.22.24
18th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost continues the difference of understanding between Jesus and the disciples regarding what it means to follow him. This is the second time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus reveals his true destiny. He is going to …
The Word this Sunday – 09.15.24
17th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 The 17th Sunday after Pentecost brings us Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 8:29). Such a loaded statement immediately - typical of Mark’s quick tempo - triggers a strong emotional interchange between Jesus and the disciples. Words have the power to …
The Word this Sunday – 06.16.24
4th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34 Creation comes proclaiming to us the radical grace of God on this 4th Sunday after Pentecost. It provides everything a seed needs to grow. If the sower scatters it on fertile ground and goes to take care of something else, the …
The Word this Sunday – 06.09.24
3rd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1; Mark 3:20-35 In the scene of the gospel of Mark this Sunday, everyone either wants to restrain Jesus or have a piece of him for themselves. The crowd, longing for healing and nourishment, will not even allow Jesus and the disciples to eat (3:20). …
The Word this Sunday – 06.02.24
2nd Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23—3:6 The Revised Common Lectionary returns to Mark on the second Sunday after Pentecost. In the gospel lessons, Jesus is asked a question that begs for an answer: Why were his disciples doing what was deemed unlawful on the Sabbath? It’s a loaded …
The Word this Sunday – 05.19.24
Pentecost Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Happy birthday to the royal priesthood of all believers and the beloved church of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It has been around for approximately two thousand and twenty-some years and will remain around for as long as the Holy Spirit of truth …
The Word this Sunday – 06.02.24
2nd Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23—3:6 The Revised Common Lectionary returns to Mark on the second Sunday after Pentecost. In the gospel lessons, Jesus is asked a question that begs for an answer: Why were his disciples doing what was deemed unlawful on the Sabbath? It’s a loaded …
The Word this Sunday – 05.12.24
7th Sunday of Easter Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 In chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus has finished his last words for the disciples after the example of the foot washing and the command to love one another as he has loved them (chapter 13). He knows he …
Bridging Faith 