I have baptized “new borns” – only “hours old” in the hospital and I have baptized people in their 80’s and 90’s. And I guess it is safe to say and a whole lot of folks – in between. I waver from time to time – how I view and see Baptism. I have done […]
This morning we find ourselves on the “other side of Christmas” and in a brand new chronological year. Liturgically, we are still in the same year, but chronologically, the year is 2018. Tis’ the year of Mark, the second year of our three year cycle – termed “series B.” Mark tells his story of Jesus […]
Malachi 3.1 says, “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 40. 3 says, “A voice cries out: “In the wilderness […]
Religion is about “hope.” It is not about something we have to do or to say. There is no right way. There is no wrong way. It is about having and maintaining hope! Religion is not a list of do’s and don’ts. Nor is it a constant parade of sallow faced and furrowed old men […]
Of course, we have to make “honorable mention” of Saint Nick tonight! Of course, we do…we are ALL Saints! Our namesake, behooves us. Saint Nicholas was a “historic Christian saint” and Greek Bishop of Myra, (modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his prayers, he is also known as “Nikolaos the Wonderworker.” Saint […]
The world has lost Advent…not that they ever really possessed it or had it. Society-at-large doesn’t even consider “Advent” – that is, if society-at-large has even – heard of it! What is Advent? Society-at-large has “no time” for such things as “Advent”…folks are “way too busy, shopping, wrapping and decking” their halls. Who has time […]
I would like for us to talk a little bit about the word “ambition” – this (evening/morning.) For the record. Ambition is neither good nor bad. Ambition is, well, just ambition. The word itself has a fascinating history. It comes from the Middle French or from the Latin and it means “a going around.” “Ambition” […]
In Mark’s gospel the disciples are never “followers.” The disciples are “prized students.” The “followers” would be those people who jump on and off the bandwagon at a whim. It is important to make this clarification for Mark. Again this is another prime example of the disciples being shown in “a poor light…” Poor old […]
I like Mark for the “unspoken contrasts.” The dinner party/slash/birthday bash, was a typical soiree of the rich and the famous and the powerful. You and I would not be present, nor would we ever in our wildest dreams be invited. Antipas is hosting the nobles, the chief Army Officers, and all the Galilean big-shots—the […]
This is huge: Mark’s outline (as far as we know today) is the earliest outline of Jesus’ life and is (of course) the most historically reliable. We know too, that in all four gospels, it is reported that Jesus was “rejected by his hometown” and by “his home synagogue.” That whole rejection thing was huge. […]