For our knowledge of Jesus we are completely dependent on the witness and testimony of others. He left us no record except in the lives of those he touched. In the New Testament the various authors share their faith to call others to faith. We are in the same situation today. If others are to… Read More »

Jonah is a classic character who viewed everything from his own point of view. He resisted the prophetic call because it would make his life difficult. Then (after God gives his a push) he fulfills his mission but is angry when the message of doom is overshadowed by the greater message of mercy.  God said… Read More »

It is never a good idea to disagree with Jesus but we have to dig a little to understand some of  his sayings. For example, he says to Martha who is trying to put food on the table: “There is need of only one thing.” The traditional interpretation of that saying is that we should… Read More »

The readings this week are taken from the Book of Jonah. There is a prophet named Jonah in history but in all likelihood the book which bears his name was written several centuries after his time. It is something of a parable or novella with a moral. (There are no prophetic “thus says the Lord”… Read More »

One of the happy chores of a pastor is to thank those who make the parish work. The only reason we can operate is the generous giving of time, talent and treasure by the parishioners. I could (should?) thank all those have made our time each Sunday serve as a time of blessing. Usually, though,… Read More »

A helpful spiritual exercises is to read each of the four gospels as a unique document worthy of attention in itself. We tend the weave the different evangelists into a coherent narrative to create a “life of Christ.”  Films like The Chosen do this. However, the four evangelists told their story in their way because… Read More »

The Book of Baruch is named after the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. Internal evidence in the book suggest that it was written several centuries after Baruch’s time so it seems the author wanted to channel the message of Baruch for a new generation. The book as we have it is written in Greek (although,… Read More »

The first generation of exiles returning to Jerusalem worked on infrastructure. They built houses and farms, they re-constructed the temple, they re-furbished the city walls. The most important work was yet to come — the conversion of heart and mind required of the people of God. The experience of exile demonstrated that their identity was… Read More »

The book of Nehemiah opens by talking about a specific time and a particular place and a concrete political situation in the history of the people of God, namely 458BC in the city of Susa under the Persian Empire. That reminds us that the presence and action of God is not limited to some vague… Read More »

Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem… “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” The prophet Zechariah was writing when the exiles were returning from the captivity. Instead of slinking back to Jerusalem with their tail between their legs like… Read More »