Aug 16, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s...
Aug 10, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Last week, Jesus had taken off for a bit of solitude, but a huge crowd found him This week, Jesus returns to his previous goal: He’s aching for some solitude. So Jesus sends his disciples off by boat, sends the crowd home with their tummies full of bread and fish, and...
Aug 3, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Stewardship Thought There is a sense in which the human Jesus longs for the crowds to go away – to take their needs, their expectations and leave him in peace. He even retires to a deserted place to be by himself and recover from all the pressures. However, when they...
Jul 26, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
The kingdom of heaven is like… Mustard seed: “from little things big things grow”. Yeast: unseen as it spreads its effect far and wide. Hidden treasure: bringing great joy and worth giving up a lot to obtain. A fine pearl: worth all that we have. A fishing net:...
Jul 20, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
This reading begins with another parable plus explanation. Matthew inserts two short word pictures between the parable and the explanation (we’ll read them next week). The interpretation is a bit uncomfortable. The seed represents people, not the word as in last...
Jul 12, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Looking at what the lectionary leaves in, we find the rare parable that includes the backstage discussion from after the show. I think it is only this parable of the sower and the somewhat less famous parable of the wheat and the weeds where Jesus actually explains to...
