James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 Ordinary 25B Proper 20 They didn’t know what Jesus was saying, but they were afraid to ask him what he meant. How many times have we been afraid to ask — even when we knew we didn’t understand? How often has our fear of revealing our ignorance prevented us from a revelation, from a new way of seeing, from a deepened relationship? We know the saying “There are no stupid questions,” and yet we do not ever want to appear stupid. It takes courage to raise our hand, stop the lecture, risk the annoyance of the teacher, face the eye rolls of our fellow students and say: “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Most of us can recall being shamed for a lack of understanding or knowledge and that feeling is never far from the surface of our consciousness. Hence, we are afraid to ask. Subsequently, we act out of our unknowing and only deepen misunderstanding and mistakes. We coast and bluff through algebra only to be totally overwhelmed in … [Read more...]

Proverbs 1:20-33; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 Ordinary 24B Proper 19 Wisdom cries out in the street, mostly unheard as those within earshot hate knowledge and neglect the fear of the Lord. James admonishes us to control our tongues, asking how it is that we Christians can bless the Lord and then curse those made in the likeness of God. Jesus wants to know what people are saying about him and, more to the point, who his followers think he is. This Sunday requires some boldness on the part of preachers and teachers, because the biblical texts for the week won’t let any of us off the hook. Scripture is calling us out for failing to have ears to hear the Word of the Lord. Admonishing us for speaking in ways that don’t reflect the character or will of our God. Rebuking us for attempting to prevent the Messiah from fulfilling his mission. Whatever happened to Jesus loves me, this I know? Well, Jesus does, in fact, love us, but that doesn’t mean Jesus commends our every … [Read more...]

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37 Ordinary 23B Proper 18 The texts for this Sunday are Christianity 101 or perhaps basic instructions for being a decent human being. Don’t exploit the poor and vulnerable. Don’t treat people differently based on how much money or status or power or influence they have. If someone is hungry, feed them. Don’t call a person who is desperate for help for her child a dog (yes, that’s a good piece of advice on the decency for dummies list). And yet, looking around our world and no less into our own hearts, we know that just because something is basic it doesn’t mean it is easy. Christianity 101, human decency 1.0, requires lifelong learning that includes apprenticeships, communal accountability, practice, repentance and lots of trial and error. Given that reality let’s go over some basics based on this Sunday’s readings: God created everyone. Every. Single. Person. We have that in common no matter our other … [Read more...]

James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Ordinary 22B; Proper 17 What matters in a life of faith? Which is more important: following prescribed rituals or practicing right conduct? What parts of our daily living set us apart and reveal our loyalties? These questions come up again and again in Scripture. Jesus says that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom. What counts, Jesus says, is doing the will of God. The prophets are not silent on these matters, either. The prophets tell their hearers that God proclaims, “I hate and despise your feasts.” The people’s worship does not bring God joy because the very ones praising God are exploiting the widows and orphans. Jesus ends the debate about what is lawful on the Sabbath with the proclamation that the Sabbath was made for humanity not the other way around. Oh, and by the way, he says, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” What is critical to God if we are to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? If our diet … [Read more...]