All posts filed under: New Testament

Jesus’ man-cave – a reflection on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 10, 2012
by rick
comments 2
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / stewardship / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, the Gospel lesson properly appointed for Proper 11 year B. After an insanely busy and draining period of teaching, and exorcising, and healing—after Jesus and his disciples had given of themselves over and over again, day after day—Jesus tells his disciples, “come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” There are four different parts to this statement which mean something on […]

silver platters – a reflection on Mark 16:14-29

July 3, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:14-29, the Gospel lesson appointed for proper 10B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On its face, this is a strange lesson. Jesus is mentioned, but never says a word. People are coming up with all kinds of theories for how Jesus is able to do the things he does, and Herod kills John for the oddest of reasons. The question that rises to the top for me […]

covered in dust – a reflection on Mark 6:1-13

June 28, 2012
by rick
comments 12
Current Affairs / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:1-13, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 9, year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Christianity in the west is in deep trouble. In America over 1/4th of adults have left the religion of their youth, most for no religion at all. In Europe, many grand cathedrals and basilicas are more like mausoleums than thriving centers of worship. People are leaving the faith. But, unlike some, I […]

get up – a reflection on Mark 5:21-43

June 20, 2012
by rick
comments 4
Easter / Gospels / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Proper 8B / Soteriology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 5:21-43, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 8B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Last year I wrote a book, going to hell, getting saved, and what Jesus actually says, and this post is an excerpt from pages 164-169. In Mark 5:22-43, there are two different stories of healing woven together into a single story. While Jesus is on his way to heal and restore life to Jairus’ […]

all in the family – a reflection on Mark 3:20-35

May 30, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 3:20-35, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 5B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A couple of weeks ago, while sermonizing, I talked about The Way, the stunning movie about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It’s a story of journey, and grief, and loss—but it’s also a story of a group of complete and total misfits who come to hate each other…and […]

wanderlust – a reflection on pentecost

May 16, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Acts / Creation / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Religion / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 2:1-21, the lesson properly appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, and Genesis 11:1-9 the lesson appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year c. Pentecost is often interpreted as the undoing of Babel. At the tower of Babel, God confounded the speech of His People so that they could not communicate with each other. At Pentecost God gave the apostles the gift […]

Matthias and his slick resume – a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

May 9, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Acts / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 7B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. With Judas’ demise, the disciples were down to eleven. Twelve is a good biblical number though. A number with significance. So, it seemed good and proper to get the disciples back to “twelve.” There was a position to fill.

even astonished – a reflection on Acts 10:44-48

May 1, 2012
by rick
comments 6
Acts / Easter / Epistles / Lectionary / New Testament / Paul / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on Acts 10:44-48, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 6B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. …While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles… The two words above, which to me stick out as if they have […]

so we would not perish – a reflection on John 10:11-18

April 17, 2012
by rick
comment 1
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 10-11-18, the Gospel lesson for the Easter 4B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. When talking about John 10, verses 11 through 18, it’s hard not to also talk about the first ten verses of the chapter—because for Jesus it’s one teaching with related metaphors. In 10:1-18, Jesus talks about a gate, a shepherd, a gatekeeper, a group of sheep, and a group of thieves and bandits. And […]