We often think of Peter as the disciple who spoke his thoughts before really thinking about them, but in today's gospel story, it's the "sons of Zebedee", James and John who say the dumb thing. They wanted Jesus to put them at his right and left hand when he comes in glory.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B24 – 20-Oct-24”
Jesus told the man in our gospel passage for today that he was only lacking one thing. In his case, it was letting go of his riches. For us, it might be something else entirely. Whatever it is, it's that one thing you can't give up.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B23 – 13-Oct-24”
Today is World Communion Sunday, the Sunday where Christians all over the world are reminded that the great gift of the life and death of Jesus is for all people everywhere. This table is wider than our world and the welcome is just as wide.… Read the rest “Table Meditation for World Communion Sunday 6-Oct-24”
In the gospel passage for today, Jesus tells us that if our eye or hand causes us to sin, we're better off without them. Of course, we know it's not really our hand or eye that causes us to sin, but the false desires that come out of our heart.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B21 – 29-Sep-24”
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”, Jesus says in our gospel reading for today from Mark. Most often, we remember that statement from John, as he washed the Disciples feet.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B20 – 22-Sep-24”
"Who do you say that I am?" Jesus asks the disciples. How would they know? Where did they learn it? They learned who Jesus was from watching him -- watching him as he healed those with sicknesses and infirmities, watching him as he taught and argued, watching him as he reached out to the outcasts and the forgotten.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 19B – 15-Sep-24”
The passage from James for today warns us that we must not show partiality, must not treat one person as more important than another. We're all adopted children of God. That's true everywhere, but especially here at the Table.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Epistle) for Proper 18b – 8-Sep-24”
Jesus says, in our gospel story for today, that it is not what goes into a person, but what comes out of the heart that purifies or defiles you. So, when we take the bread and the cup in communion, it is not a rite of purification. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B17 – 01-Sep-24”
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that the way of Jesus is not supposed to be easy. At the best of times, Jesus will challenge our assumptions and draw us into places where we will learn and grow.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 16B – 25-Aug-24”
Jesus describes himself as like the manna that fed the Hebrews in the desert, except that those who partake of him will not die. We don't know how the Lord is present at this and every other table where the bread and the cup are given and taken but we do know that the Lord is present.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 15b – 18-Aug-24”