Jesus does NOT say, come to me and all your troubles will be taken away. Jesus does NOT say, come to me and your income will increase by 10%. Jesus does NOT say, come to me and the doctor will pronounce a cure. What Jesus says: come to me and let’s make a trade; trade… Read More »

Since Jesus penned no books — not even a snappy little editorial, we are dependent on the memory of what Jesus said as recorded by the four evangelists and other New Testament writers. At times you wonder, “Is Jesus saying that or is this Mark (or whoever) saying it.” Scholars try to find the authentic… Read More »

One way of looking at the history of ancient Israel and Judah is through the lens of the social and political reality. Caught, as they were, between the twin bullies of Assyria and Egypt the kings tried to negotiate the delicate dance of keeping their powerful neighbors at bay. According to Biblical stories certain kings… Read More »

Prophecy meant several different things during Biblical times. Some prophets, like Amos, are outside agitators. They see ungodly situations and “afflict the comfortable” with denunciations. Other prophets bring messages of hope, “comforting the afflicted” with the promise of God’s future. Other prophets served as advisers to the king, bringing “the word of the Lord” into… Read More »

One year the US Bishops were having their annual meeting at the Omni Hotel in Washington, D.C. The hotel was running a promotion: There are no problems, only opportunities. Banners and posters were everywhere: There are no problems, only opportunities. One bishop came up to the front desk. “Sir, we have a problem.” The clerk,… Read More »

The call of the prophet Isaiah is one of the iconic moments in the Bible. “Here I am, send me,” said the prophet in response to God’s call for volunteers. We all strive for the freedom to be able to respond to God’s call to us. Look at all that led up to that moment… Read More »

Sometimes the prophets warn the people to change their ways with threats of fire and brimstone. At other times the prophets urge the people to change by holding out a vision of the “new heaven and the new earth” that God has in store for those who are filled with love. Hosea, while certainly using… Read More »

The prophet Hosea is part of a tradition that finds the presence of God in the realities of human life. A mother caring for her child, making sure the child is fed, even holding the child up to her cheek becomes for the prophet the image of God caring for the people of Israel. Often… Read More »

We are an “apostolic church” because only the testimony of the apostles tells us about Jesus. He left no record except in the hearts of his followers. When the evangelists mention the naming of the “twelve apostles” we sit up and take notice. What I find most interesting is that we know so little about… Read More »

Jesus pitied the crowd because they “were troubled and abandoned.” Things don’t change all that much. This election cycle seems to be driven by crowds that feel troubled and abandoned. There is a difference though between then and now. Modern politicians blame the problem as lying with someone else. The reason you feel the way… Read More »