I have admittedly a Marcan bias. I appreciate this gospel – like no other. Historically, it was the first to be written. It is closest in time to the actual events. It is probably by far, “the most historical account.” Mark is pure genius. It is the first-of-a-kind writing style… He writes a gospel – […]
WE have talked about this before. The Gospels are full of questions. And the questions “speak loudly to US,” if, WE will but listen. WE have to listen to the word. WE have to pay it attention. WE have to hear what it is saying…and…what it is not saying. WE have to listen to the […]
[For me,] Mark’s gospel is overpowering…and strong. It is so much more than a “simple report” of a “Roman trial” and a “brutal atrocity.” Mark tells us – Jesus was “handed over” by the Jewish authorities. And we get it: Rome’s concern was to maintain the peace. The Jewish Authorities did not want the Romans […]
In this life, there are “pivotal”-“critical”-“important moments-in-time, this is one of them! It is important to note that Jesus and the twelve are in Caesarea of Philip or Caesarea Philippi – because it was hands down the seat of the greatest power of his time, outside of Rome itself. In the Middle East, this is […]
So, there’s this Dorito Commercial out there – if you try and take a Dorito – you are smacked and thrown against the wall by an elephant’s trunk – but no one wants to talk about it!!! The expression … “The elephant in the room” … has become something of “a common cliché today.” Before […]
When I think about Mark’s Gospel, I think of something that is “pithy, terse or compact. Mark begins writing without precedent or guide, simply convinced that the story needs to be told – “must be told”-and tell it “he does,” in “dramatic “and “rapidly unfolding fashion…” Mark has no time for “lengthy introductions” that eases […]
A “new thought” this year – regarding the Transfiguration of Our Lord… I am so horrible at math, admittedly so. But if memory serves me correctly 3 out of 12 disciples shared a special experience together. That means that 9 disciples were excluded. Oh, here we go, this is where it gets shaky- isn’t 3/12’s […]
Mark packs so much into each and every verse. Mark is the shortest gospel, only 16 chapters in length. Everything happens “immediately.” You can feel the “flourish of activity” and almost “the need” to hurry to the “finish-line.” Mark is curt, terse, and almost rudely brief. Everybody says that Luke is the “big gospel” for […]
They say everything about this weekend is going to be SUPER. I know this, it is SUPER cold. Brrrr But at least we are not as cold as Minneapolis is… SUPER BOWL 52…the Patriots versus the Eagles… New England versus Philadelphia… There are the “favorites” and there are the “underdogs.” One team making their “10th […]
Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. He was one of 200 or so men who set out on the waters with his nets to catch the fish that fed his family and supplied for their needs. It was unrelenting and hard work. A man was fortunate if he had sons who could […]