Sermons

 Where would our church and church family be if Mark's message was our watchword -- the word we consider every time a decision is made or a poll taken? 

What, ultimately, is the purpose of this ancient story of Job — and what might it have to say to us today as we attempt to make sense of life in the year 2021?

The table that is big enough to have room for all who wish to be in community with their neighbor, for those in need of forgiveness and faith, hungry for mercy and thirsty for grace. 

We are familiar enough with salt ad know its challenges and its importance in many areas of life.  But Jesus lets the disciples know (and us) about how important we are in spreading the Good News.

One city was so beautiful, so inspiring, so utterly transcendent, that it was the home of countless kings and gods galore. Why was it important enough to Jesus that he took his disciples way out of their way just to be there?

We know how powerful our tongues can be!! Do our words and our actions reflect who we really are?

Honestly, what are we supposed to make of Jesus flat out insulting this woman? We know the bible is really, really old. Who is the actual protagonist of this vignette? Would it be truly scandalous if Jesus learned from and was changed by this brief encounter?

Jesus…insulting people? Not only insulting people but also being kinda grossly unsanitary? That can’t be right, can it? Yet it seems to be the case. What really raises Jesus’ ire in this story?

How do we embody our faith in Jesus so that we live in a way that could keep on living, abundantly, eternally?

What do we do with such uncomfortable readings? Skip them? Ignore them? Engage them?