In my last column, I answered the question “Why didn’t Matthew hide the astrologers?” In it, I said that the visit of the astrologers, often called “wise men” or “magi,” awakened “the jealous rage of a crazed ruler.” Here, I’ll expand on that crazed ruler. He’s known to history as Herod the Great. He was …
Click the arrow above to listen to an audio recording of this column. This Saturday, the lectionary invites us to reflect on the passage to which the English Standard Version supplies the title “The Visit of the Wise Men.” It’s found in the Gospel according to Matthew, 2:1-12. Matthew begins his gospel with the words …
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder the passages which the English Standard Version translation of the Bible titles “Jesus presented at the Temple.” It’s in the Gospel According to Luke (Luke 2:22-38). Last week, in my column Jesus, Prince of Peace, remover of blindfolds, I discussed how Luke begins his gospel or “good …
In my column titled Why do some people call Mary “Mother of God”? I discussed Mary’s song, The Magnificat. After telling us about the Magnificat, the Gospel according to Luke tells us about the birth of John Baptist and the song of Zechariah, John’s father. On Christmas day, the lectionary invites us to ponder what …
This week the lectionary invites us to ponder thirteen verses from the first chapter of the Gospel according to John (John 1): verses 6-8 and 19-28). In the English Standard Version, the selected verses appear under the headings “The Word Became Flesh” and “The Testimony of John the Baptist.” In The gospel of Jesus Christ, …
This week, the lectionary invites us to ponder two gospel selections, both from the Gospel according to Luke. The passages are in Luke 1:26-38 and 46b-55. The English Standard Version (ESV) supplies the passages with the headings “Birth of Jesus Foretold” and “Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat.” In the first passage, Luke – who …
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 1:1-8. The English Standard Version titles it “John the Baptist Prepares the Way.” Verse 1 reads: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” What does “gospel” mean? How would you tell the good news? With what would you begin? What would …
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark 13:24-37.[1] The English Standard Version (ESV) breaks the passage into three sections: The Coming of the Son of Man, The Lesson of the Fig Tree, and No One Knows That Day or Hour. The Coming of the Son of Man (24-27) The first two verses tell …
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder Matthew 25:31-46. The English Standard Version (ESV) titles it “The Final Judgment.” In Matthew’s gospel, it’s the last parable Jesus told in his last speech before his arrest, trials, judgments, and crucifixion. Here’s a quick summary: Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man, and as …
In this post, I’ll answer the question I posed in my last post, Is Hamas using Jesus’ jujitsu? But first, I’ll say more about how we can engage in the work of ending oppression and bringing peace. Previously, I spoke about Jesus’ teaching. Here, I’ll expand on two things Walter Wink[1] says should be our …
