March 26, 2023 I bring you Breaking News from the world of Biblical criticism. When I say “breaking news,” I mean news that’s recent—first published in 2017. When one looks back over nearly 2000 years, a new insight that’s only six years old amounts to breaking news. The word “criticism” is not to be taken . . …
Fourth Sunday in Lent—Year A March 19, 2023 Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent in the Western Church, so called from the first word (“Rejoice”) of the introit of the liturgy. It is also known as mid-Lent Sunday, for it occurs just over halfway through Lent, and as Refreshment Sunday, because it may be observed with …
Sunday, March 5, 2023 Nicodemus, a Pharisee, one of the leaders of the Temple authorities, a member of the ruling group, The Sanhedrin, came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart …
How many of you remember Flip Wilson? Wilson was an African-American comedian who had his own television variety show in the early 1970’s. His most memorable character was a woman. Wilson would appear wearing a dress and high heels as Geraldine, who never took responsibility for her outrageous behavior. Her refrain: “The devil made me do …
Those of us who live in wintery climes have learned just how important salt is. If there’s a silver lining to global climate change, it is that we haven’t had as much snow and ice in recent years. Therefore, we’ve had less need for salt and have saved money as a result. On the other …
The Gospel for today is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. And our Sunday gospel selections for the next few weeks are also from Jesus’ sermon on the mountainside. It is the conviction of the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus was the new Moses. Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive the …
Today is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord—the first Sunday after Epiphany. January 6 is the Feast of Epiphany. In the western church, it is remembered as the day of the coming of the Wise Men who arrived as a part of our procession this morning. In the East, January 6 is Christmas. …
