Samuel Wells
Raging with Compassion
When I talk with Christians about their struggles in faith, the question of evil invariably surfaces early on....
God's justice
Woody Allen famously pointed out that the problem is not that God doesn’t exist, but that he is an underachiever....
God in the hurricane: A confession of faith
The writers of great hymns were deeply aware of the relationship between God and the forces of nature....
Broken and shared: Worship: Act four
All the elements of worship have led us here, to the Eucharist, or communion table. Now a reshaping of human society begins. Just as the bread and wine are offered, transformed and received, the congregation—and through it the whole creation—is offered, transformed and received by God.
Courage to respond: Worship: Act Three
Members of the congregation must ask themselves, “Do I dare to say the creed?”
Hearing God out: Worship: Act two
When the books of the Bible are read in the context of worship, they become the scripture of the church....
Gathering in expectation: Worship: Act one
On the night before he died, Jesus gave instructions for how the church was to stay together and remember him. His instructions were these: eat together.
...Dog tales: Galatians 6:7-16
We were at the lake, my daily walking spot. I had brought a friend who needed to talk. Her head was down as if she were searching for meaning, hope and traces of God’s ways in the ruts of the muddy path. My head was down too, in silent solidarity. We walked. Suddenly I missed a familiar pitter-patter—my dog was nowhere to be seen.
The Jericho affair: Luke 10:25-37
Imagine that Congress has set up a committee to report on the disquieting events on the Jerusalem-Jericho road and their aftermath. Here are some excerpts from its findings: “The Inquiry is satisfied that the priest acted in a thoroughly professional manner. We are aware that he is a man of high profile in Jerusalem society, and that his first priority is to conduct his temple duties in a proper manner. Getting involved in self-indulgent gestures of solidarity is not recommended: such projects are invariably underresourced, nonstrategic and open to media misinterpretation."
More than enough: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Most people think of politics as a regrettable but necessary business. Necessary, because we live in a world of scarce resources, there are many of us, and our needs, interests and desires conflict. We need agreements as to the fair distribution of these limited goods, and an established authority to ensure the policing of those agreements.In the fight over these scarce resources, each of us fears being revealed as greedy, insecure, envious and deceitful. But imagine a different kind of politics—a politics of love.
Name that fear: Luke 8:26-39
Vacation time grips the imagination of Westerners. In Britain, it is now possible to buy an airline ticket on the Internet for a few pounds, then land in a European city for a quick break, boosted by the elixir of novelty and the thrill of just being able to do it. A different language, a different currency, a different climate and adventures await. And why not? The best way to understand your own culture is to live in another.
He is risen! Mark 16: 1-8
What has God done? Everything. What have we done in return? Nothing.
Palm Sunday (Mark 11: 1-11)
In Mark's Palm Sunday story, Jesus seems to have no understanding of rank.
Regeneration: Psalm 51
How does the way God regenerates us resemble and differ from the way we regenerate ourselves?
God spoke these words: Exodus 20:1-17
Exodus speaks to those for whom freedom is a dream, and to those who sense that freedom is becoming a curse.
Holiness: Sacrifice (Mark 8:31-38)
If you have denied your “self,” the cross you take up isn’t exactly yours.
Holiness: Baptism: Mark 1: 9-15
Lent is about preparation. Forty days: time for catechumens to prepare for baptism. Time to be ready for what is to come at the Easter vigil.
...Holiness: Simplicity: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
The religion of Israel is a great theater. Moses goes up on the mountain and the clouds close underneath him like curtains....