In the Lectionary

The psalmist knows loneliness. Even the most faithful believers have anguished over the fear that somehow God is not listening to their cries.

If Moses is any example, the pastor’s yoke was never light. He wasn’t very far into his 40-year pastorate when he learned that his flock did not feel called to provide him with constant affirmation.

Enough water has passed under the bridge to allow us to take a second look at the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.

My childhood church used offering envelopes with six checkboxes on them, a sort of spiritual scorecard. When I finally met James, hiding behind Paul, I proudly showed him my envelope. He laughed.

Perhaps we should not be too hard on the people who ate their fill on the mountain and chased Jesus down on the other side.

Jesus offers signs of life in the midst of death.

David stares at us out of a mirror and shows us our capacity for sinning.

Jesus listens patiently to the disciples. Then he tucks them in for a nap.

Being fearful in a storm at sea is not exactly irrational like pogonophobia (fear of beards).

These parables are like God's joke in the form of an invasive species.

We might be tempted to adopt a vague notion of “faith” as the only criterion for inclusion in this family, but Jesus’ teaching will not allow us to separate faith from faithfulness or discipleship from submission.