Mark 4:26-34 God Gave the Growth (Kegel)
God Kingdom comes as a tiny seed, small as a mustard seed. When planted and tended a mustard seed grows into a great plant. Similarly God's Word planted and tended grows into saving faith.
Mark 1:40-45 Reaching Outside of the Circle (Butler)
Being unclean meant that you could not participate in religious rituals like worship in the synagogue. It also meant that you were excluded from all social interactions--because nobody wanted to “catch” your uncleanliness, becoming unholy, and being isolated from the community.
Mark 13:24-37 Your One Wild and Precious Life (Hoffacker)
Rather than have us deal with beginnings, today's liturgy directs our attention to the end of the world, to the final coming of Christ. We are to wait and watch, for Christ has promised to return. We are reminded that this world is drawing to its close.
Mark 1:40-45; 2 Kings 5 The Laughter Barrel (London)
I tried throughout last week to stay at least 15 feet away from Pastor Steve and his bad case of the flu. In fact, we in the office have made him shout, "Unclean! Influenza!" so we know when he's coming and we can get out of the way. The poor guy probably felt like a leper all week.
Mark 4:26-34 Nourishing Seeds (Long)
God has planted a seed within us all: the seed of love. We have a choice. We can allow God’s seed to grow and thrive, or we can smother it.
Mark 13:1-8, Joy Ahead (London)
Jesus presents these catastrophes as we know them to be — part of our world. “But,” says Jesus, “these catastrophes are not signs of the end, but are instead the beginning of birth pangs.” Jesus wants us to focus on the present and the promise of a new beginning, a new creation.
Mark 1:40-42 God’s Compassion (London)
“Why wouldn’t Jesus just heal him!” Didn’t Jesus want to give Randy the best birthday present ever and heal him? My Dad said those were good questions, but he didn’t give me any answers. Could it be that my Dad, the Presbyterian minister, didn’t know the answer?
The Rev. Betty Long
THE REV. BETTY LONG is an intentional interim rector specializing in parishes in conflict. She works to bring healing and community to broken parishes as they prepare to seek a settled rector. She has been doing this for the past eight years. Currently she is serving as interim at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shrewsbury, MA. [...]
Mark 13:1-8 The Best of Times, the Worst of Times (Nolan)
Contrary to a commentator's cynicism, disasters are NOT the events by which Christians measure all events. Instead, life is comprehended best in the victorious event of Jesus Christ. A poet has summed up God's Light in Christ beautifully: God hath not promised Skies always blue.
Mark 4:26-34 Yup, Them Are Mustard Seeds! (Molin)
The Mustard Seeds are our children, and our purpose is to nurture them, encourage them, protect them and guide them, until they grow up to become the greatest of all shrubs.