The following is a reflection on Luke 10:38-42, the Gospel Lesson appointed for Proper 11C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.
Chartres Cathedral in the Morning Mist. Photo by Rick Morley.
Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things…
Oh, man… The only thing that would make this verse any more uncomfortable would be for Jesus to substitute “Martha, Martha” for my own name.
Because, when it comes to being worried and distracted, I am guilty as sin. Read More
Sorry, in my travels, exhaustion, and espresso-withdrawal…I posted the wrong reflection for this coming week. It’s corrected now.
Je suis très désolé.
The following is a reflection on Luke 10:25-37, the Gospel Lesson appointed for Proper 10 Year C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The bulk of this post is also an excerpt from my book, Going to Hell.
When Jesus is approached by the rich young ruler and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” the answer Jesus gives is pretty stunning:
You know the commandments: You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.
The Rich Young Ruler dared to ask Jesus that question. But, he wasn’t alone. Read More
I’m going on pilgrimage to France for a week-and-a-half. As such, I won’t be skulking around the blog much, or moderating comments. So…everyone behave themselves, and I may just post some pictures when I return!
I’ll be blogging the pilgrimage on my tumblr: rickmorley.tumblr.com
The following is a reflection on Luke 9:51-62, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 8, year C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.
“Orpheus and Eurydice” by Auguste Rodin, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Photo by Rick Morley.
James and John, the Sons of Zebedee, to Jesus, about the Samaritans:
Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?
I mean…really?
“Jesus, do you want us to burn people alive on your behalf?”
Is that even close to Jesus’ M.O.? Read More
The following is a reflection on Luke 8:26-39, the story of the Gerasene Demoniac, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 7C according to the Revised Common Lectionary.
People learn to love their chains. Read More
The following is a reflection on Luke 7:36-8:3, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 6C according to the Revised Common Lectionary.
And a woman in the city, who was a sinner…brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Oh, she was a sinner, was she? Like a sinner, sinner, or a SINNER, SINNER?
And, what would that even mean? Read More
The following is a reflection on Luke 7:11-17, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 5C according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The bulk of this post is also from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved.
Last week in the beginning of Luke chapter 7, Jesus heals the centurion’s slave. Without a word, a command, or formula. Not even a touch. He does it at a distance, without even being in the slave’s presence.
This week, Jesus raises the widow’s son in Nain. He approaches the funeral bier and touches it. Not him. But, the bier.
One of the things that these two miracles demonstrate is that, Jesus rarely, if ever, does anything in the same way over and over again. Read More