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Already Divided
We really don’t like the idea of Jesus bringing division. But we like what he actually means by it even less.
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Keeping things unclear
The heart of this week’s gospel is Peter’s desire for clarity. But Jesus reveals that Peter wanted something else.
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In-Between: Luke 12:57-13:9
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Proper 15C and Proper 16C. After several troubling passages and challenging preaching opportunities, Proper 16C will give us something positive to preach on. That is, as always, if we’re avoiding our context. Or dwelling on what it means for Jesus to be…
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Interpretation
Jesus decries our reluctance to see what’s wrong with our world. Not because we can’t see it. But because we refuse to do what we need to do. Jesus and the gathering storm cloudsProper 15C | Luke 12:49-56 Jesus just opened up a can, didn’t he? And what is supposed to happen next goes one…
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In-Between: Luke 12:41-48
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Proper 14C and Proper 15C. I’ll be honest. The lectionary skipping over this text is a pretty solid move. It is bleak. And not just a little bit ripe for confusion. Through the twelfth chapter, Luke has been committed to keeping it…
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Blurring the Lines – How Jesus Alters Expectations Of Justice
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” As much as I don’t want to preach on this gospel today, I fear for the thousands of churches and church goers who will wrestle with such a tricky and troubling passage. And how many…
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Love Divided
a homily for Proper 15C Text: Luke 12:49-56 A stressed-out Jesus Stress is popping out of Jesus in this text. As much as He may be trying to contain it, He can’t keep it all in. This that He is doing, this baptism of fire, is stressing Him out. He seems to be coming unhinged.…
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Jesus Divides Parents and Children
In tomorrow’s gospel from Luke (12:49-56), we get a most striking vision of a pissed off Jesus complaining about His burdens and claiming (in my 21st Century voice) You think I’m the bringer of peace! Idiots! I bring conflict! It is a hard enough gospel to take, and my (very different) homily will go up…