It seems we cannot get to the baby in manger without going through John the Baptist. His voice is a clarion call to repentance. But what does that mean to us today?

In Advent, we can't get to the manger except through John the Baptist. Last week, we met the Baptist in the wilderness; this week we meet him in prison. Last week he proclaimed a resounding and self-assured call to repentance. This week he sends a question to Jesus, "Are you the one?"

It is tempting to sideline Joseph as a minor character in the nativity story, and yet, there is no story without him. Joseph's obedience is essential to the fulfillment of the scriptures.

The then and there Christmas story is not as essential as the here and now Christmas story--that is, when the Christ child is born anew and held in the manger of your heart and life.

In the gospel for the First Sunday of Christmas in Year A, we hear a portion of the nativity story that most people would prefer not to hear. And yet . . . it's important for us to remember that God comes to us even in the midst of the worst we humans can do. Will we respond like Herod or like Joseph?

Jesus shows up at the Jordan in line with all the others waiting to be baptized by John. But John is upset and essentially says to Jesus, "What are you doing?" And Jesus responds, "Let it be so now."

If you want to know someone, you can't just hear facts about them. You need to get up, go and see for yourself.

Jesus, the light that shines in the darkness, is calling his disciples . . . so he can enlighten them so they can be bearers of his light in the world.

What does it mean to be told by Jesus we are salt and light?

If you think that the "old" testament is a book of law and judgment and the "new" testament is only filled with grace and no law . . . welcome to today's gospel and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

The meaning of transfiguration is that something or someone is changed or elevated. Certainly Jesus was "transfigured" on the mountain for Peter, James and John and, yet, maybe there was more than one transfiguration that day.

What if Ash Wednesday and Lent are less about what is past and more about what comes next? What then?

Two well known stories of temptation. Are they about "just saying no"? Or something else?

Spiritual hunger drives Nicodemus to seek Jesus.

She is unnamed. She meets Jesus at an ancient well in broad daylight. She is not Jewish. She has the longest conversation with Jesus recorded in the gospels. She is a woman with "a past." She is found out. And amazing transformation ensues.

He is the man without a name but known as "the man born blind." In this longest of all the stories anywhere in the gospels, Jesus sees this man and anoints his eyes with mud--an act of new creation. 

The seventh sign of Jesus in Gospel of John is the raising of his friend Lazarus from death. It seems the saying is true that we cannot get to resurrection without first going through a graveyard.

Click the picture of the thorns and palms to read the Passion according to Matthew.

Why the awkward rite of foot-washing? "Do you know what I have done to you?"

Christ is risen . . . but what about us? Is this day a once a year celebration or something we celebrate and look for every day?

We have so much more in common with Thomas than we may have thought.

At least according to the gospels, it is still Easter Day. And two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They meet a stranger as they travel whom they invite to join them in a meal. And then the stranger the stranger does the most Jesus thing Jesus does . . .

It' the Fourth Sunday of Easter and so it's Good Shepherd Sunday. The one who calls himself the Good Shepherd tells us in the gospel passage today that he is "the gate." Wait? The Gate? What does he mean?

Jesus often talks of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven as being not just in great by and by but here and now, on earth . . . and what is more he tells us that we are called to help him build it, one living stone after another.

"I will not leave you orphaned." One of Jesus' unexpected but comforting promises.

Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven? Two times messengers from God remind the disciples that we are looking in the wrong place or looking in the wrong direction for Jesus.

God is a giver of gifts. There is no time like the present to open the gifts and use them for the common good.

Saying "yes" to our baptism is just the beginning.

What ties the mishmash of stories in the gospel for today?

Jesus sends his disciples out with specific instructions but also some warnings.

What can we make of Jesus, our Prince of Peace, telling us that he has not come to bring peace but a sword?

What does it means to be a "slave of righteousness"?

If someone asked you what does it mean to be a Christian, would you respond by talking about sin and salvation?

Jesus tells a parable that at first may seem to be fairly straight forward. And yet . . . the parables of Jesus always have a twist. 

Jesus concludes a series of parables on the kingdom of heaven and asks the disciples, "Have you understood all this?" And they say  . . . 

We are in miracle mode in the gospel of Matthew. Last Sunday we heard the story of Jesus feeding over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish; this morning we hear the story of Jesus walking on water and calming a storm. But why are the disciples terrified?

Jesus gives a lesson on the importance of how we speak and use our words but when he is encountered by a Canaanite woman seeking healing for her daughter, he says something most astonishing.

Giving the right answer is not enough.

Peter gives proof in today's passage that giving the right answer is not enough.

Jesus sets gives us principles and "rules of engagement" to maintain unity.

We need to understand what forgiveness is and isn't.

Grace, when all is said and done, is not fair.

By what authority do you do these things? The Pharisees ask a good question for the wrong reason.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants could just as easily be titled "Murder in the Vineyard" or "Tenants Running Amok in the Vineyard." Its a rather dark and scary story . . . and yet it is still "the good news" we need to hear.

Scripture tells us that we cannot bring anything with us when we die. So how are we to use/invest/spend our wealth?

We are equipped and given authority to invite everyone to the table.

Unless we now the truth about who we are and who God is, we will not be truly free.

The beatitudes helps us, the saints of the church, know our calling.

The Parable of Bridesmaids is another one of Jesus head scratchers. And yet, if we look at it with different questions and angles in mind, some light will dawn upon us.

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