All posts filed under: Religion

questions with no answers – a reflection on Job 23:1-9, 16-17

October 3, 2012
by rick
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Job / Lectionary / Old Testament / Religion / Wisdom Literature / Year B

The following is a reflection on Job 23:1-9, 16-17, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for Proper 23B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. By the time we get to the twenty-third chapter of Job, a lot of water has gone under the bridge. The broken, but altogether devout, man we left in the early narrative section has met his prosperity-gospel friends. They’ve tried to convince him that God is just, and therefore his own egregious […]

everyman – a reflection on Job 1:1; 2:1-10

September 26, 2012
by rick
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Lectionary / Religion / Wisdom Literature / Year B

The following is a reflection on Job 1:1; 2:1-10, the Hebrew Bible Lesson appointed for Proper 22B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There once was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. Job opens with a certain “once upon a time” quality to it, in a make-believe land that no one has ever heard of. In this half verse Job is introduced as “everyman.” Attached to no time and to […]

flame thrower – a reflection on James 3:1-12

September 4, 2012
by rick
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Epistles / Lectionary / New Testament / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on James 3:1-12, the epistle lesson for proper 19B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. As we saw in the first chapter of James’s epistle, James is writing to a community in conflict. People are fighting, people are arguing, and things are not going well. As we saw in the second chapter of the epistle, the argument is over the bigotry of class distinction. What becomes clear very early on […]

will truthiness kill the church?

July 18, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Current Affairs / Religion

Every once in a while I read an article on CNN’s Belief Blog. The reporting and commentary is often interesting—but then I get drawn down to the amazing emotional energy in the Comments section. I’ve found that the comments generally fall into one of three categories: 1) comments which genuinely engage with the topic at hand, 2) broad comments which disparage religion in general, and 3) broad comments which disparage religious institutions and leaders specifically […]

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 […]

under the folds of the hem – a reflection on Isaiah 6:1-8

May 23, 2012
by rick
comments 3
Lectionary / Major Prophets / ministry resources / Religion / Temple / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Isaiah 8:1-8, the Old Testament lesson properly appointed for Trinity Sunday, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The vision of Isaiah has always captivated me. It informs my vision of God’s Heavenly Kingdom perhaps more than anything else. It’s grand. Regal. Sweeping.

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 […]

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 […]

The Garden

March 18, 2010
by Fr. Rick Morley
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Religion

It all began in a garden. Things were ‘good’ in the garden. Then things were ‘very good’ in the garden. Then it all fell apart. It all ends in a garden. Sort of. The garden is still there. Complete with a Tree of Life, and a cool stream of water. And Life abundant. But, the Garden is now subsumed in a City. A big City. A well-laid out city. One day, it will all be […]