In the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand, the author of the fourth gospel present a Jesus who is upending the system of Empire. Jesus is completely dismantling the system of scarcity employed by the Empire as a means of control. Instead, Jesus is presented as the source of abundance, who provides and overwhelming abundance, enough for everyone to be filled and for there to be leftovers. … More From Scarcity to Abundance
The lesson for today in what is an otherwise “summary section:” practice Sabbath, show compassion, and be present! … More Practice Sabbath, Show Compassion, Be Present
Mark’s narrative begins with with an introduction of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and Son of God. Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming the kingdom of God is near, and continued by teaching, healing, and exorcising. Now, in a pinnacle moment of the gospel, Jesus delegates this same messianic, saving work to the disciples. … More Happy Founding of the Church Day!
When people in the ancient stories crossed water, they were moving from something into something new – liberation, new mission, new creation. As the disciples move across the sea with Jesus, they are struck by a storm that interrupts there journey. But Jesus is there with them in the boat, and it is Jesus who invites them to greater understanding and faith. As we walk through the pandemic, do we recognize Jesus with us, or do we complain that he is asleep in the stern. … More A Little Grace to Dispel the Storm
Jesus challenges us today to look beyond our borders and our walls, to see beyond any of the myriad self-imposed lines that we draw: religion, denomination, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and economic status – even the line of faith. God invites us to expand our family today in ways that are just as shocking as it was to Mark’s first-century audience.
We must be careful not to fall for the temptations of power, wealth, and lust that were a constant temptation to Israel and have always tempted humanity. For those who would name themselves Christian – that is, followers of Jesus the Christ – the challenge is to shift the allegiance away from the kingdoms and ideologies of this world unto the kingdom of God. We are invited to hold on to our hope in Christ – for justice, peace, and life – remaining strong against the repercussions that will come, staying faithful and refusing those “values” that don’t produce and demonstrate love. After all, to quote the Most Rev’d. Michael Curry, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.”
… More Where are you?
“It would seem that, quite possibly, the ultimate measure of health in any community might well reside in our ability to stand in awe at what folks have to carry rather than in judgment at how they carry it.” (Rev. Gregory Boyle)
Kinship is what happens when we refuse to forget that we belong to one another. Kinship is ever inching closer to the margins and standing with the oppressed and powerless. Kinship is walking with Jesus and your neighbor in the expansive and generous mercy of God.. … More Shaped by the Margins
