One of my favorite books is Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, in which Goodwin reflects on Lincoln’s sagely leadership of a cabinet, many of whose members opposed both Lincoln and one another prior to Lincoln’s election and, at times, during Lincoln’s presidency, one of our nation’s darkest hours.  With the future of the nation at stake, Lincoln creatively synthesized opposing factions, transforming polarization into contrast for the well-being of the United States. One of my teachers Bernard Loomer saw... Read more

When I was a small child, Valentine’s Day was a big deal.  Though I hadn’t yet discovered the joys of romance, I recall my excitement at going to the store with my Mom, buying two packs of valentines for fifty cents, and then writing notes to all my classmates and my teacher, who got a special one, especially if I had a crush on her.  The cards’ messages were pithy and to the point: “Be my Valentine” or “Be Mine”... Read more

Just a few days after the celebration of Christmas, the light of Bethlehem is eclipsed and the dark shadows of life return to the stories of young Jesus.  Tucked between Christmas Day and the Feast of Epiphany (January 6), the Massacre of Infants or Slaughter of Innocents is remembered.  In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopalian traditions, this moment in the biblical story is recalled on December 28; the Orthodox tradition sets aside December 29 as a day of mourning... Read more

In my final reflection on Mark’s healing stories, I want to focus on Jesus’ question to Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The fact that Jesus healed his blindness, responding both to his physical condition and the reality of his social location as an outcast, most likely blamed for his disease, is important, but perhaps more important is Jesus’ willingness to let us dictate the terms of our healing. Jesus’ question isn’t accidental. He is asking... Read more

In another curious passage, the disciples discourage people from bringing their children to Jesus. (Mark 10:13-16) We don’t know their motivation, perhaps they see the children as a nuisance to their Teacher, or they believe that they will only get in the way of Jesus’ more important business. Once again, Jesus rebukes them. “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” I imagine Jesus having great fun playing with children; perhaps he told them stories for the... Read more

Most healing is gradual and imperceptible. The healing of a sight impaired man is interesting simply because it is recorded in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 8:22-26). When Jesus first lays hands on the man, all he can see is a blurred vision of the world. Jesus has to touch him a second time for him to see clearly. There are no fireworks here, no falling down in spiritual ecstasy, no dramatic “get up and walk” narrative. Healing takes time and most... Read more

In the healing of a speech and hearing impaired man, Jesus employs spittle along with healing touch. Spittle was vested with curative power in the ancient world. While today, we might consider spittle a folk remedy, it was seen as medicinal in Jesus’ time. From our 21st century perspective, we would say that Jesus was joining prayer and contemporary technical medicine to cure this man. There is nothing oppositional between technological medicine and healing prayer or laying on of hands.... Read more

Most scholars agree that the original version of Mark’s gospel ends at Mark 16:8. There is no image of a physically resurrected Christ, just the promise that Christ is going ahead of us. Now, I happen to believe the resurrection reflects the real experience of transformed lives. But, its truth is in the rolled away stone and the empty tomb, not some life-like replica of human embodiment. “Who will roll away the stone for us?” is not just the women’s... Read more