Scripture
March 28, Maundy Thursday (John 13:1–17, 31b–35)
How might the church’s history have been different if foot washing had caught on more widely?
March 24, Palm Sunday B (Mark 11:1–11)
Jesus moves in the same direction as other pilgrims but at a pace and purpose that is his own.
March 24, Passion B (Mark 14:1–15:47)
We fix our gaze on the cross because if we look away we will miss something vital.
We would see Jesus (John 12:20-33)
This is a fearful time, especially for those who are being targeted by some of the currents of our cultural wars.
Reading scripture through the experience of disability
Julia Watts Belser sees in the Torah a God who is in love with the creative possibilities of difference.
March 17, Lent 5B (John 12:20–33)
“If you really want to live you’ve gotta die” is a puzzle that could leave you off kilter your whole life long.
Good news that doesn’t fit on a sign (John 3:14-21)
What has always interested me about the John 3:16 signs is the singular focus.
To forgive is exclusively divine
Ancient Israel’s war with Amalek is a lesson in repentance and covenant.
March 10, Lent 4B (Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14–21)
When John 3 came up I used to preach on the dangers of fixating on one verse. Now I cringe at that memory.
Third spaces and more (John 2:13-22)
Churches often live in an uneasy relationship with their property.
March 3, Lent 3B (John 2:13–22)
Whatever Jesus is attacking, it isn’t the practices of the people coming to the temple to worship.
A lament psalm without lament (Psalm 22:23-31; Mark 8:31-38)
Lament psalms typically move to trust at some point, but reading only those verses feels strange in Lent.
February 25, Lent 2B (Mark 8:31–38)
What a roller coaster for the disciples: They are following the Messiah! And doing so will cost them everything.
Ashes together (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
Praying in community is often more powerful than praying “in secret.”
February 18, Lent 1B (Mark 1:9–15)
Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.
Ignorant of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
Sometimes it seems like the believers are the ones for whom the gospel is veiled.
February 14, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
How did my friend feel making a cross on my forehead, not knowing how long I’d be alive?
February 11, Transfiguration B (Mark 9:2–9)
What Peter, James, and John see on the mountain cannot be neatly packaged for resale.