One of the most heinous of crimes for a Christian is anti-semitism. Hatred of Jews is hatred of Jesus, Mary, Peter and Paul. St. John (himself Jewish) has been accused of anti-semitism because of lines in the fourth gospel like “Jesus was delivered up to the Jews.” Obviously, in context, John meant delivered up to… Read More »

So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury. Or, as the song puts it, “the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.” Probably the most famous sermon ever delivered in what is now the United States was… Read More »

Last week I made a quick trip to New Orleans for a reunion with those who were involved in campus ministry at LSU forty-five years ago! Since I hadn’t seen most of them in the interim it was like meeting strangers … until we started singing. As we went through our repetoire (yes, all the… Read More »

The Pontius Pilates of the world seem to be winning. Jesus is clear about his mission as Christ the King: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” Pilate’s mission is clear too – impose his will on others. Pilate scoffs at the notion of… Read More »

In our creeds we confess belief in “life everlasting” — getting to heaven is part of our story. What the Bible is most concerned about is how human life is being lived in the world. When the Sadducees try to score some points getting Jesus to speculate about life after death Jesus responds that God… Read More »

I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Doing the right thing, doing the will of God, is sweet. However, often doing the right thing can leave a sour feeling in your stomach.… Read More »

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace.” As you come down the Mount of Olives you arrive at a small chapel called Dominus Flevit, the Lord wept. This is the traditional site commemorating the scene reported in St.… Read More »

Both St. Matthew and St. Luke record what is known as the parable of the talents — three men are given something to invest and are judged by how well they did. Luke situtates his version in current events with the parable providing commentary on what is happening politically. The background (short version): when King… Read More »

“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” This passage from the Book of Revelation inspired a painting  by William Hunt entitled “The Light of the World.”  The painting depicts Jesus knocking on… Read More »

We are in the last weeks of the Church’s liturgical year so for the next two weeks the readings will be taken from the Book of Revelation which speaks of the end of things. John the Seer starts of f the book with a series of letters addressed to local churches. The first of these… Read More »