Jesus is walking the borderlands—the space between Samaria and Galilee—when ten men appear. They do not approach. They cannot. They stand at a distance, bodies marked, voices raised, shouting the only prayer they have left:“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The village is unnamed, but it does not need a name. It may have been … Continue reading Go Your Way
Jesus begins with a severe warning: “Woe to the one who causes others to stumble. It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown into the sea.” He immediately follows with a demanding command: “If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.” At first … Continue reading The Mulberry Tree Parable (Luke 17)
The parable of the prodigal son has been retold countless times, often as a story about wayward sinners returning to God. But in its original context, it is primarily a message to the Pharisees and religious leaders—a challenge to their understanding of devotion, righteousness, and compassion. Jesus tells a series of parables in succession (Luke … Continue reading The Prodigal: A Story for the Religious
In Luke 13:10 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day and healed a woman. A synagogue during the time of Jesus was a place of worship, torah reading, prayer and community life. These houses of worship were not the Temple where sacrifices were made instead they were like houses which … Continue reading The Synagogue Official
A man in the crowd asks Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Instead of arbitrating, Jesus uses the moment to expose a deeper issue: not merely greed, but a profound lack of trust in God’s provision. Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life … Continue reading A Call to Trust
It’s no secret that the Bible instructs us to love one another. This may be one of the most quoted and well-known teachings in all of Scripture. Perhaps that’s why Luke 12:1 caught my attention: “Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, … Continue reading Stepping on One Another
There is a quiet irony in prophetic utterance. Throughout history, God has spoken words to mankind and we call it prophecy, yet prophecy is not dependent on words alone. From the opening chapters of Genesis, God speaks creation into being—forming the world, life, and order through voice and sound. God chooses speech as a vessel … Continue reading Silent Witness
Where does lasting significance come from ?
The other night we visited a Catholic shrine decorated with Christmas lights, where people stroll and sip hot cocoa. At the center of the path stood a hill with a large cross, and beneath it a small cave holding a nativity scene.“Let’s go see baby Jesus,” I said to my husband. Mary knelt. Joseph leaned … Continue reading Losing Jesus
My Faith Place 