Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (“foolish wisdom”) Paul’s words from First Corinthians that we just heard remind us that following Jesus is an unconventional choice. Some even see it as a foolish or absurd one. Conventional wisdom supports values like patriotism and obedience. It is about fitting in to get along. And for centuries, Christian churches … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 16:1-8 (the empty tomb) Imagine walking on a spiritual path all your life. Then imagine achieving your goal. What happens when you reach a pinnacle of spiritual development? This summer, we have reflected on the stages of spiritual growth. I started with baptism in early July. Baptism marks our arrival as physical beings … [Read more…]
Text: Galatians 2:15-21 (“Christ lives in me”) Questions of identity often confront us. This summer, with the sacraments of the church in the background, we have reflected on physical, emotional, and intellectual identity. Do we base our identity on ancestral heritage? On feelings and desires? On how we articulate perspectives and ideas? For Paul, the … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 17:22-31 (“an altar to an unknown god”) Why are there so many different religions? If there is only one God, why are there are so many different paths to the Divine? In today’s reading, Paul tackles the profusion of gods and goddesses in Athens. In the face of the pantheon of Greek and … [Read more…]