Hallelujah is an invitation, an open-ended shared interactive expression for all who hear it to immediately participate. It is an “us” word. The writer abandons the “I” of personal expression to...

We are preparing to move. For my part, there are boxes of books in several languages, each one feeling like an old friend. I have not seen some in many years,...

At a very young age, my mother was abandoned in an empty house by those who abused her. Her early life was a frightening journey toward safety. As an adult, she...

When my body dies and my soul goes home, I want my ashes to be placed upon the earth. They will not linger there long before finding their way into the...

In the story that immediately precedes this one in Mark’s Gospel, James and John, in their quest for power and glory, told Jesus what they wanted. “Teacher,” they demanded, “we want...

As the story of Bartimaeus unfolds, note the change in the tone of his detractors: “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” Two important aspects of his identity surface in...

Jesus and his disciples pass through Jericho, a city known for its religiosity. Despite all the religion, however, the needs of the people are great. On Jesus’ way out of town...

The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus throughout this letter as a great high priest. The Old Testament portrait of the high priest, Melchizedek, foreshadows the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ....

O taste and see that the Lord is good.” The eighth verse of the psalm states the central theme of this hymn of individual thanksgiving. I have quoted this statement many...

The story of Job comes to an end. On one level it feels something like a storybook ending, but we know there is much more to it than that. Job’s heart...