It is an old, old message and it goes all the way back to what were some of the earliest days in Galilee. The good old days… That is, before there was “this” confrontation and “that” confrontation, always “a confrontation” coming from one direction or another. You could almost count on it. Publicly speak and […]

We miss the point. It is easy for us to miss the point that Luke is attempting to make. Our sympathies lie all over this story. For example: It is so easy for us to focus on the demoniac. A man of great strength. Big. Scary. Out of his mind. Living in the tombs among […]

Perhaps this is a good time (as any) to begin “an honest conversation” about “mental illness” and the love of God – our “Heavenly Father.” Our “modern life” has seen “the increasing awareness” of “diseases of the mind.” Unfortunately, we still do not openly discuss them. They normally remain clinical conversations…only. Shame, fear and guilt […]

A possible context here – is the whole idea of “Oriental Hospitality and Honor.” Let me explain. Meal times were “major events” in the first century of the Common Era. As a result of the meal given and shared – could either come – “honor” or “shame.” These gatherings were rich with “assumed,” “unspoken,” “expectations” […]

In the story today from Luke, we witness a context change. Clearly the story of a woman who anointed Jesus with expensive, extravagant ointment was cherished by the early church. In all four gospels there is a story of a woman who at a dinner party comes and anoints Jesus’ feet with a jar of […]

You ARE forgiven. Do you understand the power in those words… Nothing is held against you. Nothing can be used against you. You are set free. The slate is wiped clean. You are without sin. You are not a sinner…in this moment of time. You ARE forgiven. Completely. Totally. I don’t think we truly get […]

Our gospel text for this evening tells us that Jesus had “compassion” on a widow who was in deep distress. This poor woman was about to bury her only son, so Jesus raises him from the dead. Jesus actually stops the processional – touches the bier and says: “Young man, I say to you, rise!” […]

You gotta love Jesus. He is so awesome. Jesus rarely, if ever, does anything in the same way-over and over again. When he heals those who are sick or lame, he does so in a myriad of ways. When he heals Peter’s mother-in-law, he takes her by the hand and lifts her up, he reaches […]

Jesus had a “terrible reputation” (dependent on whom you asked.) He spent time with the wrong kind of people. He ate with the grungy and the despised of the world. He associated with the worst among us. He reached out to the poor, the broken, and the marginalized. But Jesus also found himself sometimes among […]

Military personnel do not always receive a good rap. Here in Luke’s gospel we find the story of a Roman soldier. I think it is a “God thing” that this should be the Gospel text for Memorial Day Weekend. It reminds us that our servicemen and women do a lot more than is expected of […]