This is “another example” of – “how cool,” Mark’s gospel account really truly is. One way of looking at our gospel for today, is that Jesus is “turning the spotlight on his disciples.” They are “center stage” and “all eyes are upon them.” They are complaining. They are complaining again! They are complaining still. Mark […]

These disciples are “something else” – and are “very territorial.” They have not yet learned, how to play well-with-others. We might assume that they have been together for a couple of years now and they still are having “issues” … all over the place. They very much sound like … or … “could” sound like […]

I am amazed and I gotta say, a little bit bewildered by some “parental posts” on social media today. And, for the record, I am not pointing out anyone in particular, nor am I calling out anyone by name. I love it, I really truly do – love it…but let me remind you – it […]

When our old buddy Peter says, “You are the Messiah” –it was, as if, “a suspended silence” hung over the “air waves” for one complete-blessed- moment-in-tme. There needed to be a holy silence, (for “this one”) just to absorb “what-was-actually being-said. It needed “time” to soak in. To sink in…to be taken in… Time was […]

I really, really had fun with this one! For the record, I am not a “germaphobe.’ I like people wherever they come from… Germanphobe, get it? Germaphobe? Never mind! Today, we are talking about infections by bacteria, virus or fungi. All good stuff. So much of our common every day illnesses are transmitted via airborne […]

A deserted place. I am sure – you have probably seen pictures of a cabin surrounded by beautiful acre after acre of land, perhaps with a stream or a river running nearby. No other homes in sight, no neighbors. No fences, necessary… Just plain old dirt roads…if that! Maybe even on a mountain side or […]

“You deserve a break today! So get up and get away! To McDonald’s! McDonald’s! McDonald’s!” Three times for emphasis sake! So that you will remember! The year was 1971. I am pretty sure that Jesus did not have Mickey D’s in mind-when he told the disciples to come away to a deserted place and rest […]

Herod Antipas was wary and leery. He was suspicious by nature. He trusted few among men. He believed strongly in fate and he had faith in all manners of magic. He believed in healers and feared greatly prophetic voices and especially tellers of fortune, both good and bad. With age, he found himself increasingly superstitious. […]

There is an ancient Greek – word, “Patrida.” We are more familiar with a derivation of it, Patri, meaning “father,” as in patriarchal. It is used here in Mark’s Gospel. It is perhaps “best defined” as being “one’s fatherland.” Or, “the place of one’s birth…” Or, “perhaps, one’s country of origin…” Or better yet, “your […]