For every beginning, there is an ending. After feeling a twinge I bemoaned the fact that I was getting old. Immediately someone objected, “You’re not old.” There is a societal fear of old age. But by any standard I am old (though I am not sure if I qualify for “spry” yet.) In fact,  being… Read More »

St. John includes an extra chapter in his gospel. After the resurrection Peter and companions return to Galilee, return to what they know how to do, return to being fishermen. The Risen Jesus meets them and challenges Peter and the others: do you love this, the familiar, the comfortable, the expected, more than me. Of… Read More »

Jesus told his followers: “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). St. Paul got that message for when he found himself surrounded by enemies he slyly pitted one side against another. “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of… Read More »

One of the key moments in Western Civilization was the confrontation between Socrates and the Sophists. For the Sophists truth was a matter of perspective and convenience. They wanted to win arguments and gain power. Socrates, by contrast, believed that there was such a thing as truth that exists outside of human opinion.  Jesus in… Read More »

We have been reading for the past few days from what is known as the Last Discourse from the Gospel of John, chapters 14-17. Today we start with the last chapter which scholars call the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. During the prayer Jesus prays to the one he called his Father for his disciples… Read More »

There was a movie a few years ago, Don’t Look Up, which spoofed the human tendency to ignore some problem or issue that we don’t want to face. You’ve no doubt heard the expression “denial is more than a river in Egypt.” The story of the Ascension of Jesus illustrates the flip side of that… Read More »

An ecumenical meeting several years ago developed a motto: “Doctrine  divides, service unites.” While there is a certain truth to that — caring for those who are in need transcends any denominational difference — the motto hides a basic truth: that what we believe matters. The church knew this from the beginning. Apollos was preaching… Read More »

On a day such as a 50th ordination anniversary there is tendency to seek the scripture passages or the songs which seem most apt for the occasion. I remember one memorable jubilee, for example, when the cantor invited he congregation by saying “Let us greet the jubilarians by singing How Great Thou Art.” Another approach… Read More »

The election of Matthias to replace Judas illustrates that the nice linear story of the ministry of Jesus does not reflect the fact that things were a bit messy. Peter said, “It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from… Read More »