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The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want [Psalm 23:1]. I have a push-pull relationship with the Twenty-Third Psalm. Oh, I recognize that if one asks 100 people which Psalm is their favorite, 97 will say “the 23rd.” Acknowledging its popularity, the Revised Common Lectionary includes the Psalm six times in its three-year cycle….
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have" [Luke…
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common [Acts 4:32]. Perhaps many of you have heard the one about the American Protestant who was rescued by sailors after he had been stranded…
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid [Mark 16:8]. As you likely know, over the past 1600 years or so, countless hours have been spent in study and barrels of ink have been spilled by Christians trying to discern the ending…
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it [Mark…
Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. [Numbers 21:6]. In the OT reading appointed for this upcoming Sunday—Numbers 21:4-9 [the Fourth Sunday in Lent, RCL, Year B]—we encounter a story that many see as “weird with a capital W.” It’s one of those…
And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery …” [Exodus 20:1-2]. The Old Testament lesson for this upcoming Sunday, the Third Sunday in Lent (RCL, Year B), is the familiar passage detailing the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17…
Author’s Note: This was originally posted February 24, 2021, when the Genesis text served as the Old Testament reading. There are a few references below to COVID-19, which was raging through the world three years ago. Otherwise, however, I pray this meditation speaks to your world and that of your neighbor. Abraham fell facedown; he…
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel" [Mark 1:14-15, NKJV]. Grace and Peace to each of you this Ash Wednesday. A good friend and colleague has allowed that…