Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1              We do not have to look very closely at dominant trends in our culture today for signs that growing numbers of people are offering their lives for the service of false gods, regardless of how they identi...

Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12           We will misunderstand these blessed weeks of Lent if we assume that they are about helping us to think more clearly about our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection.  We will be even more confused if we think t...

Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40; John 1:43-51           On this first Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate the restoration of icons centuries ago in the Byzantine Empire.  They were banned due to a misguided fear of idolatry, but restored as a proclamatio...

Romans 13:11-14:4; Matthew 6:14-21              On the last several Sundays, our gospel readings have challenged us to return home from our self-imposed exile.  Zacchaeus gave more than justice required to the poor and those whom he had exploited ...