-
The Kingdom of God and wineskins
Mark 2:22 (NIV): And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” What Jesus is doing can’t be fitted in to the existing ways of thinking and living. If people try to do that they’ll…
-
Prayer for the day
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and…
-
Can we say “Rise up and walk”
Quite probably an apocryphal story, but one I still find relevant in our time: According to Cornelius a Lapide, Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II when the latter was counting out a large sum of money. “You see, Thomas,” said the Pope, “the church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” “True, holy father,” was…
-
Push us, Lord, past our cramped definitions of compassion
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. — Matt. 15:28
-
Prayer for the day
You have ordained a new order in which the first are last and the last are first. Turn us away from the false values of the world, that we may pursue your priorities, that which makes you happy: steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Amen. (Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own)
-
The agendas that ruin us
Here is the message from Jesus: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15, ESV) I like the Common English Bible on this one: Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!
-
The competing voices of Lent
As we enter this Lenten Season there is the call to the wilderness. It is the call to be with the Lord. It is the call to encounter him. In that call come these assuring words: “I will be with you. I will hear you. You will hear me.”
-
We don’t talk about sin much anymore
These are the opening two paragraphs in David Brooks’ recent column in the New York Times. The column is hard hitting and thoughtful and will be incredibly controversial (if anyone will pay attention). But those opening two paragraphs are stunning:
-
There is no human justice without God’s righteousness
“…human justice derives from God’s righteousness.” — Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ
-
Prayers for Ash Wednesday
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with…
