proper 10
The seed, the sower and the Source: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
When a seed is snapped up by a bird of the air, the seed’s journey isn’t necessarily over.
Capital T: Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29
The other day I was sitting in a coffee shop and couldn’t help overhearing an interesting and intense debate on the other side of the room. An older gentleman was trying his best to aid an inquisitive college student who had some hard-hitting questions. She asked about scripture, about authority and about the church. One question kept popping up: “What is the difference between truth for you, truth for me and truth with a capital T?”
Family feuds: Genesis 25:19-34; Romans 8:1-11
Jacob and Esau are identified by their relationship with each other.
Clay pots: Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Disconnectedness is the greatest threat to our spiritual security.
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."
A terrible text: Mark 6:14-29
Mark's account of the beheading of John the Baptist is a sordid tale of anger and revenge, resentment and death. Jesus is never even mentioned. The key to understanding why this sorry saga shows up where it does in Mark's Gospel is its relation both to the growing fame of Jesus and the success of his disciples. John's death foreshadows Jesus' death and the deaths of many of the early followers.