• Reluctance and Commands—for Proper 25A

    Reluctance and Commands—for Proper 25A

    When Jesus tells the lawyer that loving God and our neighbor as ourselves is the greatest commandment, are we truly with him?

  • Love isn’t really a suggestion

    Love isn’t really a suggestion

    We find it easy to excuse retaliation or xenophobia as natural or necessary—an exception. But the rule is love. It is our command.

  • Between Proper 24 + 25 (Year A)

    Between Proper 24 + 25 (Year A)

    This week, the lectionary skips over the confrontation with the Sadducees over Levirate Marriage. Another attempt to trap and discredit Jesus.

  • Living the Dream

    Living the Dream

    In our rush to live in a just world, we may find ourselves preventing the very means of making things just — that we are called to this.

  • When we start the clock

    When we start the clock

    When we focus on a moment, control how we see it, isolate our vision, we think we’re looking for the truth, but we’re blinding ourselves from it.

  • War Is a No-Win Situation

    War Is a No-Win Situation

    The popular phrase “war is hell” is close. But unlike hell, we think we can win it. Do it. And be called heroes for killing many, many people.

  • How our limited imagination gets stuck on taxes

    How our limited imagination gets stuck on taxes

    When asked about the Law and paying taxes, Jesus gives a response many are far too eager to see as supporting separation.

  • The Idol Separation of Powers—for Proper 24A

    The Idol Separation of Powers—for Proper 24A

    In our reflection for this Sunday, we examine what it is we want this gospel to do and why. And why this misses Jesus’s mark for us.