Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Jesus

  • Eating a double helping of Mark 12:28-34 and  John 11:32-44 We get our choice this week between two texts. One is the lectionary text (Mark) and the other is the text from All Saints’ Day (John) which can be transferred. Most churches I’ve served observe All Saints’ on a Sunday, so I thought I’d do…

  • a Homily for Proper 25B Text: Mark 10:46-52 A Healing Story Jesus heals people. At this point this seems like old news. Remember several chapters ago when Jesus healed the man of leprosy? Jesus urges the man to tell no one and instead, the blabbermouth runs into town and tells everybody about Jesus. It seems so…

  • a Homily for Proper 24B Text: Mark 10:35-45 The Overwhelming Sound of Voices There are times when I hear too many voices. My son is chattering about something, my wife is trying to actually tell me about tomorrow’s plans, and my daughter is getting louder and hoping that I hear her above all the cacophony and…

  • Eating Mark 10:17-31 There is so much to feast on this week, and the main course is certainly the part where Jesus eats the rich. But something curious is offered up in the first course. Something about a man seeking assurance from a holy man that he can attain eternal life. and the holy man doesn’t…

  • a Homily for Proper 22B Text: Mark 10:2-16 Jesus condemns more than divorce Our story begins once again with the Pharisees asking Jesus a tricky question: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Before we go any further, hear the question itself: not the one we wish were asked. not Is it right/moral/ethical…

  • Eating Mark 10:2-16 Jesus has been talking about children a lot lately. He said that how you treat a child is how you treat GOD. Then he angrily scolds the disciples about any little one that gets a stumbling block from them should cause them to cut off their hands or feet. He is speaking…