Mark 6:14-29 “The truth is out there.” So says the TV series The X-files. And the Truth is indeed out there, but what John the Baptist proved by his life is that the Truth needs truth-bearers to stand up and proclaim it. Only if those who know the Truth proclaim the Truth will the Truth be known to a false and lying world. We have a problem with the truth, though. It begins early with lying. As a parent, I’ve... Read more
In this passage Jesus the Great Master sends out His disciples, in particular the 12, to go and be His presence in the world. Jesus knows that in His human form He is limited in space: He can only be in one place at a time. He also knows that His time is limited, for He knows the terrible mission He is on. Therefore, in keeping with the Kingdom parables He tells, He insures that His Kingdom will begin to... Read more
Philippians 1:12-26 Every day we are faced with a multitude of choices, some small and some great. We often live a binary existence, having to make choices between two alternatives. Should I marry him or not? Should I take the new job and the risks involved? Keeping in mind that we just lived through Sanctity of Life Sunday, the most important choice we can make is a choice for life and not for death. But when faced with the choice... Read more
Philippians 1:1-11 Among all of the other wonderful elements in The Lord of the Rings, it is perhaps a story more about fellowship than anything else. In fact, the second volume of the trilogy is called The Fellowship of the Ring. In that story, great fellowship takes place among many different kinds of creatures. If you know the story, you know that good wizards, men of old, elves, dwarves – and of course, the stay-at-home Hobbits – are all drawn... Read more
Ephesians 6 Have you ever gotten involved in something that suddenly revealed itself as being a lot more serious than you thought? For some, this happens in marriage, and they are like Jacob who thought he had married Rachel. But Behold! it was Leah! For Diedre Cobb, it was joining the Army Reserves and facing the difficult task of trying to explain why it took her 2 years to ask herself whether or not she believed in fighting wars. She... Read more
Ephesians 5:15-33 We’ve come this morning to a difficult passage of Scripture – not difficult because it’s hard to understand, but difficult because it’s hard for us to accept what God wants to teach us. The passage is Ephesians 5:21-33, and in it St. Paul gives us clear commands about the relationship between husbands and wives. Our passage this morning is part of a larger passage all about submission – and this will help us to see clearly what Paul... Read more
Ephesians 5:1-14 Have you ever been on a walk that was more than just a walk? Perhaps it was a romantic walk; or maybe an important business matter was discussed during a walk; or a life-changing decision was made during a walk. I remember going on many walks with Jackie during which we discussed my many attempts to understand God’s call on our lives together. We have walked and talked about having children and what we will name them; we... Read more
Ephesians 4:17-32 The drama of good vs. evil grips us because it hits so close to home. Some of the most compelling myths today – things like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings – grab us precisely because they dramatize the battle between good and evil. But the most dramatic version of the battle between good and evil is not lived out in a galaxy far, far away or in an age that is long, long ago: it is... Read more
Colossians 3:18-4:18 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17.) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23.) Here is the ultimate goal for every Christian and the end of true Christian discipleship: to do everything for the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the other commandments, all of the things God has... Read more
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Wednesday of Septuagesima Sunday – Mark 6:30-44
Mark 6:30-44 God has a simple message for you today: “I am calling you to do something that’s too hard for you to do so that you can remember to trust in Me.” You should remember that because it’s both challenging and true. You are not the first that God has so called. In today’s lesson, we have the example of Jesus’ disciples. If ever anyone was called by God to do something that was too hard for him to... Read more