He had already run down the road to greet the returning wasteful prodigal. He had already thrown the best robe around his shoulders and was now feting him with a roast calf on the spit and having all his old friends around. His youngest was home, bewildered, hosed and feted, hardly believing the turn ofContinue reading “Please, come home, son! (But which one is he begging?)”
Category Archives: Spirituality
Reclaiming Epiphany
Down under, we are in that part of the year “when nothing happens.” Christmas/New Year is done and decorations are being boxed and put away. While a few are returning languidly to their daily labours and many are still enjoying the long vacation, many wait with bated breath for the contentious date of our officialContinue reading “Reclaiming Epiphany”
Swinging on the Vine
Somehow I felt I had to justify this sermon title for John 15:1-8 at our combined Uniting Church/Church of Christ service this morning. During the week, with ANZAC Day music playing in the background, while I exegeted the Greek text of “abiding,” my attention was drawn to jazz variations of the ubiquitous commemoration hymn, “AbideContinue reading “Swinging on the Vine”
Thomas – the beloved disciple?
Yesterday was my 43rd Thomas Sunday since ordination, meaning that I have possibly preached this many times on the account of Thomas “not believing” until he had encountered the Risen Christ himself and verified by the visibility of the “marks” of crucifixion. My understanding of this encounter has gone through a lifetime of development, moving from theContinue reading “Thomas – the beloved disciple?”
Goats, Cricket and Good Friday
Atonement Day on the ancient Hebrew calendar marked the day that two goats were brought before the community. One goat was ritually slain, the other, the scapegoat, having had the sins of the community laid on it, was set loose into the wilderness, not to knowingly be seen again. Anthropologist/theologian Renee Girard cites this as an example ofContinue reading “Goats, Cricket and Good Friday”
Footwashing – another Easter symbol
Today begins the three days of Easter. The little-heralded act of Jesus enacting his calling as a servant and washing the feet of his bemused and scandalised disciples is the act that begins the three-day drama of Easter. He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—andContinue reading “Footwashing – another Easter symbol”
Psalm 118 & The Easter Vigil
To my mind and heart, there is nothing like hearing the Psalms in the original Hebrew. There are many rich renditions stemming from Christian devotion, and they are particularly apt for the death and resurrection themes of the Easter vigil. The Psalms, however, are steeped deep in the Hebrew tradition and are the crucible ofContinue reading “Psalm 118 & The Easter Vigil”
Easter where the rubber hits the road
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”
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”
Wondering Pilgrim 