In the closing phrases of his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, the Apostle Paul delivers what biblical scholars call the kerygma – the announcement of the good news of Easter. From the content of the letter, we can tell that the fledgeling church had some serious issues, and the apostle’s frustration mingled with love inContinue reading “Easter where the rubber hits the road”
Category Archives: Personal
The Joy of Holy Week
The celebratory feast of accomplishment described in Isaiah 25 is very suitable for an entry into Holy Week, which culminates in the Three Days of Easter (Triduum) that embrace the trial, crucifixion, entombment and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth who is also the Christ. Holy Week is confusing to many across the spectrum of ChristianContinue reading “The Joy of Holy Week”
Mark’s Deposition
Of all the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, Mark’s seems to dwell at some length over the details of what happened to Jesus’ body immediately following his death. To quote Julius Sumner Miller’s famous question “Why is it so?” Is it to establish the fact of Jesus’ death? There is no evidence that the “swoon” theoryContinue reading “Mark’s Deposition”
8 days B4 Good Friday
Today the lectionary gives us Mark’s terse account of the crucifixion. Why so early? We haven’t even engaged the joyful and celebratory Palm Sunday celebrations yet. Worship planners are often flummoxed when coming to the Revised Common Lectionary to plan Palm Sunday celebrations. They are confronted with a choice – Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. EitherContinue reading “8 days B4 Good Friday”
Radical Palm Sunday
This Sunday’s Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees from Perth’s St George’s Cathedral will repeat a tradition that has grown over recent years. Palm Sunday events commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding the colt of a donkey – the ultimate symbol of peace. It was a high festival time in Jerusalem with pilgrims fromContinue reading “Radical Palm Sunday”
Psalm 71 – a cry for help
Some Psalms are best reflected on from a meditative stance. Paradoxically a survivor and advocate of the free church tradition, I usually find the ancient rhythms most conducive to praying Psalms like No.71. (I note the Jerusalem Bible translation heads this “A prayer for old age” !!!)
A teacher’s lament
I have hung around enough educators to know that a teacher’s lot is not always a happy one. Today’s lament in Isaiah 50:4-9a probably resonates with a few. The teacher here is different, however. It is a collective group – the people of Israel in exile aware of their usurped role as those chosen toContinue reading “A teacher’s lament”
Who/what is Melchizedek?
Most readers would struggle with today’s text from Hebrews 5:5-10. Martin Luther attempted to remove the book of Hebrews (and some others) altogether! It uses ancient Hebrew concepts, symbols and metaphors to explain the role of Christ in brokering access to G-d. If you can work through that – you come to the clincher – that, after all, ChristContinue reading “Who/what is Melchizedek?”
Welcoming the “other”
When Greeks in the festival crowd came looking for Jesus, the fourth Gospel describes a scene of conniptions! It seems their agent and Hellenistic namesake, Philip, part of Jesus’ inner circle, takes their petition to Andrew (arguably and anecdotally a little closer to the main man). When Jesus finally hears the request, we enter aContinue reading “Welcoming the “other””
“Contract” of the heart
In these days of contractual focus and litigation, it is rare to hear of the “contract of the heart.” At least, that’s what I thought until I decided to google it and see what came up. Apparently, it is a thing! Put simply, it is a mutually agreed “code of conduct” to be exercised atContinue reading ““Contract” of the heart”
Wondering Pilgrim 