Today’s reading is part of a longer narrative that stretches over two days of Jesus’ ministry. Right in the middle of the action we note a significant event—the people want to...

Since this psalm is attributed to David, we may wonder if he composed these lines before he ruined his and others’ lives with adultery and murder. Or did this psalm come...

Raw atheism—“there is no god”—can be an easy target for theists like us. How nice it can be to mow down opponents with verse 1’s wonderful insult! After all, who wants...

In the rite of confession—Confiteor—the admission of guilt is followed by the phrases, “Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” In these words—mea culpa in Latin—the repentant...

David’s sexual dalliance or his murderous plot? There were good reasons to justify himself just like any other self-made person: “I’m in charge here, and I deserve to do what I...

Choosing teams on the playground was the most stressful part of my school day. Read aloud for the class—got it. Recite the “times table” for twelves—got it. Color the picture of...

From tent to Temple: This oft-used cliché captures what is lost and what is gained in moving from provisional to permanent, from flexible to rigid. There is much to gain from...

Binary thinking defines most of our cultural world: black and white, boys and girls, Democrats and Republicans. We fall into believing only two ways of thinking exist and that we must...

These two scripture segments from Mark 6 sum up the heart of Jesus’ ministry—teaching and healing. Other fascinating action items fill chapter 6, and they all serve as supporting evidence for...

Things are rosy for leader David. The ark is home, clearly identifying Jerusalem as the matrix of all things powerful: religion, politics, and the military. What more could a king want?...