The kingdom is both desperately serious and delightfully accessible in Mark 9 video discussion

The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 18 in this Year B is Mark 9.38โ€“50. It is a rather unusual reading; it completes the collection of sayings that we began last week, and there is some continuity across the two passages; and it does belong (as we noted last week) to a section of teachings … Continue Reading

The parable of the wicked tenants in Matthew 21

The Sunday lectionary reading for Trinity 18 in Year A is the second of three judgement parables against the Jerusalem leaders in Matt 21.33โ€“46: traditionally, the parable of the wicked husbandmen, or the parable of the wicked tenants. There is plenty to explore within the passage, and in its relation to the surrounding textsโ€”but it … Continue Reading

The parable of the wicked tenants in Matthew 21 video discussion

The Sunday lectionary reading for Trinity 18 in Year A is the second of three judgement parables against the Jerusalem leaders in Matt 21.33โ€“46: traditionally, the parable of the wicked husbandmen, or the parable of the wicked tenants. There is plenty to explore within the passage, and in its relation to the surrounding textsโ€”but it … Continue Reading

Does God respond to nagging in Luke 18?

The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 18 in Year C is the Parable of the Unjust Judge and the Persistent Widow from Luke 18.1โ€“8. A surface reading, confirmed by most online comments on it, is that basically we need to be nagging God before he will answer our prayer! But a more careful reading, … Continue Reading