03202022 – Luke 13. 1-9 The 8th grade confirmands have been spending time with the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Presently, they have been looking at Deuteronomy. When translated from the Greek- Septuagint, the word “Deuteronomy” means “second law,” as in, Moses’ RETELLING of God’s laws. This is where we find – […]
03162022 – Luke The Season of Lent “woo’s,” “persuades,” “challenges,” “lures,” and “entices us” to reflect on OUR priorities. You know, WHAT IS IT, that WE hold dear. WHAT is IMPORTANT for us? This season of the church year says, I double-dog dare you. What is “YOUR highest good?” Be honest. What is “MOST IMPORTANT […]
03122022 – Luke 13. 31-35 This is like THE “perfect Lenten gospel” for week two. It “sets the stage” for EVERYTHING “that is to follow.” It is uniquely Luke. Everything BUILDS on this. It gives us CONCRETE DIRECTION. “It gets us” – (EVENTUALLY) to where we want to go. The appearance of some “UNNAMED Pharisees” […]
03242021 – John 12. 20-33 Lent 5B This is all about “Jesus’ hour.” It is a “big thing” in the Gospel of John. Jesus knows “his hour” is coming. He “waits for it.” Like, the disciples wait for the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. It is “a kairos moment.” A fifty-cent-Greek-word that […]
03202021 – John 12.20-33 Lent 5B People DO NOT understand THE TIMELINE: As the gospel opens, we meet Jesus, six days before he was going to die. He KNEW it was coming. He SENSED it was coming. He FELT it looming over him. It was “SO CLOSE” he could almost taste it. […]
03172021 – John 3. 14-22 Lent 4B Our Gospel text for this evening – happens to contain what has been called “the greatest verse IN ALL THE BIBLE.” People “in the know” – tell me it is “the best LOVED” and “THE BEST-KNOWN” of all verses. There are only 25 words in this verse […]
03132021 – Jn3.14-21 Lent IVB I tried my best, NOT to talk about “LOVE.” I do not like sweet, schmalzy, syrupy messages. BUT no matter how hard I tried…I always came back to LOVE. As if, someone NEEDS to hear this. Someone NEEDS to be REMINDED. Someone, somewhere, maybe (HERE) or perhaps (watching at […]
03062021 – John 2. 13-22 Let’s talk about Jerusalem and the Temple and Passover. You do realize Passover was “a big deal.” The population of the Holy City would actually “quadruple” as people made their way to the Holy City. It was THE MOST IMPORTANT festival of the year. Passover lasts for […]
03032021 – Mark 8. 31-38 In a lot of ways Peter is us and we are Simon Peter. The guy is so easy to relate to. Peter could be clueless. He DID NOT know everything. I will be the first to admit it and acknowledge it, I am clueless about a great many […]
O2272021 – Mk 8.31-38 Lent 2B The disciples and those people listening to Jesus… Would have heard “things” differently than WE DO TODAY. When JESUS spoke about “taking up your cross, and following him,” they knew EXACTLY what he was referring to… Their IMAGES would have been engrained in their “collective consciousness.” “NEVER FORGET” […]