Although King David was idealized by later Israel the Bible does not portray him as an ideal character. He was sly, cunning, vengeful, prideful, selfish, lusty — pretty much the description of most kings.  One very savvy political move he made was the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital.  The king and his men set… Read More »

Three years ago when we last had this gospel passage I told a true story about a friend of mine who worked for one of the bishops in California. It seems even more relevant now than it did back then. The bishop was away so he called back to the diocese. “John,” he asked, “how… Read More »

“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen!” The relationship of Saul and David was, well, complicated. David was Saul’s most successful general and because of that Saul looked on David as a threat, a rival. Several times Saul even tried to kill David. David, at least… Read More »

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles. Do you ever wonder about how the followers of Jesus who werent named as one of the Twelve felt? (We know they were there because in the Acts of the Apostles followers who had been with… Read More »

In The Merchant of Venice Shylock gives a speech: “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?” Confronting the anti-semitic undertones of the play Shakespeare reminds us of our common humanity. The Bible stories, even though they are three… Read More »

When the Philistine had sized David up, and seen that he was youthful, and ruddy, and handsome in appearance, he held David in contempt.  The trope of David and Goliath is perennial. Think of Frodo vs. Sauron or Harry Potter vs. Voldemort or Dorothy vs. the Wicked Witch. The small, seemingly insignificant character is able… Read More »

Have you never read what David did? Jesus remembered King David as an example to guide his actions. David had lived 1000 years before the time of Christ. (Can you think of anyone from 1022 who serves as a model for you?) That historical memory gave the people of Jesus’ time hope that just as… Read More »

Mary has a memorable place in the gospels. She is featured in the stories associated with the birth of Jesus – the annunciation, the visitation, the Bethlehem saga, the Presentation in the Temple. She is portrayed as a worried mother of a wayward teen-age son who stayed behind after a family vacation. She shows up… Read More »

Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams. Religious people use worship in order to connect with the divine. The problem comes when ritual becomes the be-all and end-all of the divine-human relationship. God, in fact, is woven into every aspect of human life if we have the eyes to see… Read More »

The Bible readings for today are both about a call. Saul is called to become the king of Israel. The LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage. Levi is called to become a disciple. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. In both cases the call came as something… Read More »