This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to reflect on John 16:12-15. These four verses lie within verses 16-24, to which the English Standard Version supplies the heading “Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy.” As I said last week, we’re in the part of John’s gospel in which he gives us highlights from Jesus’ farewell speech. …
Ascesis and the Spirit: Let the chisel perform its office Read More »
This Sunday, we will observe the Day of Pentecost. The lectionary invites us to ponder John 14:8-17, (25-27). In the English Standard Version, those verses fall within sections titled: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (1-14), and “Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit” (15-31). As I said in an earlier post, chapter 14 …
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 17:20-26. The English Standard Version provides the chapter with the title, “The High Priestly Prayer.” It does not provide any within-chapter headings. The chapter begins with Jesus looking up, addressing God as “Father,” and declaring that the hour has come. John used “the hour” as the …
Mysticism and Politics: Dwelling with God through Jesus’ Prayer Read More »
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 14:23-29. The English Standard Version supplies verses 15-31 with the heading “Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit.” As I said last week, in this part of his gospel, John focuses on Jesus’ farewell speech. It’s evening. Jesus has washed the feet of the twelve men whom he’s …
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 13:31-35. The English Standard Version supplies the heading “A New Commandment.” Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead. He’s entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, like Jewish kings of old. Greeks have come seeking him. Everyone’s talking about him. His “hour” has come. He must die like …
The Commandment Jesus designed to manifest God’s glory Read More »
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 10:22-30. The English Standard Version groups verses 22-42 together and supplies the heading “I and the Father Are One.” John tells us it was winter. Why? Partly to signal that some time has passed between the account ending in verse 21 – which was during the …
The Irony of Hanukkah: Jesus’ Works and the Jewish Leaders’ Response Read More »
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder John 21:1-19. The English Standard Version divides the text into two portions, under the headings “Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples” and “Jesus and Peter.” As I’ve said before, John alone of the apostles was called “theologian” by the early church. John structured his gospel around themes such …
The Symbolism of 153 Fish: Understanding John 21 Read More »
… the body Jesus presented to Thomas had nail holes in hands and feet, and a hole in the side. So, if I die in a car crash, and I have a hole in one of my lungs in addition to many other wounds, will all these be present in my resurrection body?
This Sunday churches around the world will celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus. The lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 24:1-12. The English Standard Version supplies it the heading “The Resurrection.” Pressured by the Jewish leaders, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, crucified Jesus on a Friday; after ordering his soldiers to brutally flog him. So …
The Empty Tomb: Witnessing the Miracle of Easter Read More »
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to reflect on John 12:1-8. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with the heading “Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany.” Jesus and his twelve disciples were in the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Probably, many more people were present. It was a joyous occasion. A …
The Fragrance of Faith: Mary Anoints Jesus in Bethany Read More »
