August 24: The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The sabbath is made for humanity,not humanity for the sabbath.That’s what Jesus saysnear the beginningof Mark’s gospel.Today in Luke,we have a different confrontationbetween Jesus and synagogue leadersabout the role of the sabbathin people’s lives.Early in Luke we’re toldthat as part of his deep Jewish devotionJesus was found in synagogueson the sabbath.Today is the last time […]

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August 10: The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

First century Jewish territorywas not a stable place.Jesus’ disciples, those who have chosen to follow him,those whom he’s addressing this week,lived during rocky times.Land that they had inhabited for centurieswas under occupation again —this time by the Romans.The society around themhad been shaped by the Greeks.Local leadership walked a fine line,or completely jumped over it,to

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