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...]

Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69 Ordinary 21B; Proper 16 Jesus asks his followers two pointed questions: Does this offend you? And: Do you also wish to go away? He speaks plainly: I am the bread of life. Eat and live. I am the bread come down from heaven and this bread is my flesh. Believe, eat and receive the gift of eternal life. The Jews dispute Jesus’ claim and the disciples grumble about it. Jesus knows their hearts and doubts and then he says it plain: Does this offend you? Do you also wish to leave? Now is the time to turn around and head back to your former life. Many already decided that this Jesus way was not going to be their way, but what about the twelve? I am confused about the disciples’ grumbling. I do not understand, exactly, what is so difficult about this teaching. Isn’t eternal life good news? Isn’t bread from heaven a blessing? Isn’t the promise of never hungering nor thirsting again a teaching we want to embrace? What’s so difficult and hard to … [Read more...]

John 6:51-58 Ordinary 20B; Proper 15 We get more about bread this Sunday. John, chapter 6 is long —71 verses long. John 6 is not just long, it is dense, packed with powerhouse stories and sayings. Jesus feeds the 5,000. Jesus walks on water. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life” and repeatedly, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” Jesus talks of eternal life and in this Sunday’s appointed verses we are told to abide in Jesus. Next week we will finally hear from the disciples after hearing from the crowds and the Jews. So, what’s distinctive about John 6:51-58? Aren’t these verses simply a reiteration of what’s come before? More about Jesus being the bread from heaven, the living bread, the bread of life, not like the manna that didn’t prevent people from perishing, but something unique and available only in Jesus. More about Jews who are offended by Jesus and disputing his claims. More about Jesus’ relationship to the Father. More about eternal life. What’s new to … [Read more...]

Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51 Ordinary 19B; Proper 14       Put away falsehood. Let your words give grace to those who hear. Put away bitterness and wrath, anger, slander, malice. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as you have been forgiven. Live in love as Christ loved us. Reading these verses from Ephesians this week elicited two reactions. The first and most powerful one was a deep, grief-filled longing. The second was a question: Is such a community possible? All this kindness and speech that builds up and this putting away of anger sounds too utopian to be true. I am on social media, after all. Despite my pithy plastic keychain that reads, “Never read the comments,” I do, in fact, read the comments, all the comments. I read Yelp reviews and watch the news, too. In these spaces, wrangling and wrath prevails. Bigly. That’s why as I read this beautiful poetic parenetic text from Ephesians I was moved to tears. Be imitators of God. Yeah, right. Put away … [Read more...]