Some movies end with a door left open to a sequel. The writers wrap up most of the plotlines but leave one conspicuously open. This will become the launch point for...

In six short verses the psalmist offers a succession of a dozen entreaties to praise the Lord. These staccato phrases express the where, why, how, and who of praise—with emphasis on...

Christ is risen, he is risen indeed!” This shout of exultation often marks the arrival of Easter, but I have never resonated with it. When I studied today’s passage, I understood...

We first meet Nicodemus in chapter 3 of John’s Gospel. He seeks Jesus under the cover of night in order to learn from him, which—on the surface—seems an admirable deed. A...

At the conclusion of the Farewell Discourse (John 14–17), Jesus goes with his disciples to a garden in the Kidron Valley. There, on the east side of Jerusalem, Judas betrays him...

The one command Jesus issues to his disciples alone stands at the conclusion of today’s reading. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,” he tells them, “if you...

Jesus has just finished washing the disciples’ feet when he jolts them with the news: “One of you will betray me.” The disciples look at one another. Who could Jesus be...

The Jesus in this Gospel troubles me. In the other three Gospels, Jesus wavers before the cross—but not in John. Pondering the cross he asks, “What should I say, ‘Father save...

Jesus arrives in Bethany six days before the Passover. We have just learned that the authorities plan to put him to death. (See John 11:53-57.) And we can scarcely envision any...

We stand on the threshold of the complexities of Holy Week.Our readings this week have invited us to think about the intimate relationship between despair and hopefulness, sadness and joy. The...