Mark 1

Each January the lectionary invites us to remember the invisible network of faith.

In Flint, we know something about nostalgia and despair—and hope.

What the people see in Jesus is more than raw power.

Lent began as a time of preparation for the covenant of baptism. The Year B Lenten readings very much ring out this theme of covenant, starting this Sunday with the covenant with Noah and its interpretation in 1 Peter as the covenant of baptism. The coming weeks feature the covenants with Abraham and with Moses and finally the covenant written upon our hearts in Jeremiah 31. Developing the theme of covenant might be an edifying way to let these Lenten scripture readings prepare congregations for Holy Week—especially the high drama of the Easter Vigil, centered on the waters of baptism.

In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus heals many sick people and casts out many demons. I’ve been thinking about healing a lot lately.

If you’re Jesus, demons will interrupt your mission of proclaiming the message of transformation and hope—even if they have to tell the truth to do it.

I eschew the danger of the river, but I know that it is where God leads me.

In a culture that finds repentance unintelligible, impractical, or unnecessary, we are called to witness to its intelligibility, beauty, and importance.

In a culture that finds repentance unintelligible, impractical, or unnecessary, we are called to witness to its intelligibility, beauty, and importance.

Here in Minnesota, Lent is an almost unbearably slow wait.

What can we possibly find in Mark's terse temptation account to help us in our wilderness wanderings?

What animates our being? What possesses or consumes us?

Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed. If only we could respond so quickly.

As the second Sunday in advent approaches, I find the prophets of the season compelling. To my ears, their message sounds pretty consistent: "Change the ways of this world."

I'm afraid I want the good news of Christmas without the challenge.

The Christian church was born with Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.

True prophets have a different bottom line than false ones, but that doesn’t make them any easier to recognize.