Wednesday, July 11, 2018 | Reflections
Jesus knew what it meant to be pigeon-holed. His town of Nazareth had a population of just a few hundred people, and most of his ministry took place around the Sea of Galilee, just 19 miles from his hometown. Beyond that, many of the gospel stories take place around...
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 | Reflections
In what is known as the Seven Woes to the Pharisees, Jesus rebukes the religious leaders again and again for their hypocrisy. You look religious, Jesus cautions them, but it’s what’s inside that counts.When Jesus talks about “whitewashed tombs,” he’s not...
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 | Reflections
She stood timidly and excitedly on the edge. The other children lined up next to her. One by one taking their turn. Hands outstretched ready to catch them. Hands open ready to embrace them. My 3-year-old daughter is on that edge. She’s waiting patiently for her...
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 | Reflections
It is almost tempting to feel sorry for the scribes and Pharisees. We hear Jesus reminding us to focus on what matters, not on the small things that distract us. It’s as if when giving a dinner, we worry about place cards and lemon forks, not on the fact that we might...
Monday, July 9, 2018 | Reflections
Speaking to his followers, Jesus acknowledges the value of what the scribes and Pharisees teach—but not the example that they set. Quite simply, they don’t practice what they preach; they lack integrity. Having spent years interviewing survivors of the...
Monday, July 9, 2018 | Reflections
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives...
Sunday, July 8, 2018 | Reflections
The experience of being unappreciated by those who know us best is common; instead of seeing what we’ve become, others continue to think of us as we were in the past, perhaps as naughty children or as unfocused young adults. So it is with Jesus, who is remembered only...
Sunday, July 8, 2018 | Reflections
Psalm 123 A few weeks ago I went to Jerusalem. It wasn’t a pilgrimage, exactly. I went to see friends. But, I thought I’d see some of the sites while I was there. It’s Jerusalem, after all. On my first day, I walked to the Old City, through...
Saturday, July 7, 2018 | Reflections
Spem in alium nunquam habui praeter in te Deus Israel qui irasceris, et propitius eris et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis. Domine Deus creator caeli et terrae respice humilitatem nostram. I have never put my hope in any other but you, God of...
Saturday, July 7, 2018 | Reflections
I have to wonder what the Pharisees expect Jesus to say here. Don’t bear a grudge? Don’t blaspheme? Pray the Shema twice a day? Instead of focusing on a specific law, Jesus looks at the bigger picture, answering in much the same way he does regarding the payment of...
Friday, July 6, 2018 | Reflections
Once again, the Pharisees are trying to trick Jesus into saying something that will get him into trouble—either with the religious authorities or the Romans. And once again, Jesus outsmarts them. Is it okay to pay taxes to the government? the Pharisees ask....
Friday, July 6, 2018 | Reflections
Daily Office Readings for Friday, July 6, 2018: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12) Num. 24:1-13; Rom. 8:12-17; Matt. 22:15-22 “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.”...
Thursday, July 5, 2018 | Reflections
“It’s going to be hot, so bring shorts,” my friend wrote in preparation for my trip to South Africa. “But be sure to bring a jacket and long sleeves for the cool evenings.” I hate to pack, mainly because I never know what to take. And invariably, I pack things...
Thursday, July 5, 2018 | Reflections
Matthew 22:1-14 When I was younger, I would really give myself a hard time for doing anything wrong or foolish. I wanted to get it right all the time, and I would beat myself up mercilessly when I didn’t. I wanted to belong. I wanted to be loved. And I...
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 | Reflections
Psalm 130 Many of us have had quite a rough last few months. We hear every day a constant barrage of bad news. School shootings. Cruelties, both great and casual, that are visited upon the most vulnerable among us. Beloved friends getting devastating diagnoses,...
