Luke 22:14—23:56 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. (Luke 22:14) The reading of the passion narrative on this day begins in an orderly and appropriate fashion. When it was time, Jesus gathered with his disciples. The story can seem predictable. And yet for all the … [Read more…]
John 12:1–8 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. (John 12:3a) In times of difficulty it can be jarring when we notice extravagance. When resources are precious it can seem wasteful to toss them about. Yet today’s gospel reading is about exactly … [Read more…]
Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20b) Sometimes we can find ourselves lost and alone, feeling cut off from God’s love and from the goodness of life. Like the so-called … [Read more…]
Psalm 63:1–8 O God … I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1) A student once defined “yearning” as meaning “wanting something so badly it hurts.” The teacher affirmed the student, “that’s right – it has … [Read more…]
Genesis 15:1–12, 17–18 [God said], ‘Look toward heaven and count the stars … So shall your descendants be. (Genesis 15:5) Some things in life seem well beyond our grasp. We want … and yet we fear we can never have or achieve. Yet God promises amazing things, the seemingly impossible. Abram and Sarai were well … [Read more…]