October 24 Ordinary 30B Mark 10 46 52
Jericho is a logical stop on the road to Jerusalem. Fifteen miles northeast of the Holy City, it was a convenient stop on the pilgrim’s path that Jesus took to the cross. In Jesus’ day Jericho was a rich and flourishing town, host to a considerable amount of trade and celebrated for the palm trees that adorned the surrounding plain.
Mary replies to the angel ask me again
—not asking my ears
which like shells still surge with your silence.
Ask me this time with your tongue
touching mine. Give your words
to my mouth, let me swallow.
Let me tongue, and taste, and spill
my frail and almost unformed yes
back into you. Let it grow
as will the life I’ll let you plant in me.
So may I know as I’m consumed
that some slip of me is taking root
and strengthening in other soil—
October 17 Ordinary 29B Job 38 1 7 34 41
I don’t want to hear any more from Eliphaz, Bildad, or Zophar. I want answers.
God s nose
When COVID took my sense of smell, I was drawn to the Bible’s description of God’s.
The New Testament s most dangerous book for Jews
October 3 Ordinary 27B Hebrews 1 1 4 2 5 12
Read the author’s article on preaching Hebrews without supersessionism.
Christians can meditate on these two passages from Hebrews throughout their lives without ever exhausting them. One fascinating aspect is the relationship between Christology and anthropology: what we confess about Jesus Christ and what we profess about people.
October 10 Ordinary 28B Hebrews 4 12 16
The purpose of the word of God is not to make us feel condemnable, but to help us see what is commendable.