“[F]ull of joy through the Holy Spirit”: let’s start there. The Holy Spirit brings the gift of joy, beloved. We want to be happy. Sometimes, we are. What we really…
Easter is really glum! The women were sad. The apostles were scared, sad, and unsure, not knowing what to think. These two walking to Emmaus are also downcast. Easter is…
Jerusalem, Jerusalem—people from all over were eager to come to Jerusalem: the city of David, vital heart of Jewish culture and learning, the site of the Temple. There was a…
Bethany is even closer to Jerusalem than Jericho, about two miles: a good walk. Each step brought Jesus closer to Jerusalem and all that would happen there, happen to him,…
I’ve been trying to take Mark’s account—what Peter told Mark—in order this year. Today, with our forty-day walk to Easter about to begin, I’m jumping ahead. Today is Transfiguration Sunday. …
“One in heart and mind” (4:32) is how we speak of people close as can be. We tend to reserve that sort of talk for those very much in love. …
I’ve been speaking about joy and light lately, not only because it’s Advent, not only because I feel the need for these blessings in my own life, but because…