“But just as it’s written, ‘That which the eye hasn’t seen nor ear heard neither occurred to the human heart all that the Divine has made for those in relationship with Them” (1 Corinthians 2.9). Sometimes things are just too… Read morePopcorn Summer 2: We call it human nature

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1.1). As Easter season comes to its close, we stand at the edge of another, this one long that’ll stretch from until December. The summer sun will hang long in… Read moreAbrupt: Beginnings

“Be aware, be on the lookout; because, you don’t know the when the time may come” (Mark 13.33). You do not know, Jesus told those who followed him. This verse comes from what is often called the “little apocalypse.” Jesus… Read moreAbrupt: Uncertain

“When the Sabbath ended, Mary of Magdalene and Mary, James’ and Salome’s mother, purchased spices so they could anoint Jesus” (Mark 16.1). What is the Sabbath? Not Sunday, I mean. Not the tradition of church going and big lunches and… Read moreAbrupt: After the Sabbath

“He said to them, ‘Don’t be startled. You’re looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one crucified. He’s been raised and isn’t here. See, here’s the place they laid him’” (Mark 16.6). How can this figure say that with a straight… Read moreAbrupt: Startled

“Coming into the tomb, they saw a young man seated to the right clothed in a long white robe. And they were startled” (Mark 16.5). According to Mark’s Gospel, on the night of Jesus’ arrest there was a young man… Read moreAbrupt: Clothed

“They said to each other, ‘Who’ll roll back the stone from the tomb’s entrance?’” (Mark 16.3). Jesus does little if anything in the account we read from Mark. If, as we spoke of last week, the book ends with the… Read moreAbrupt: Inaction

“They ran out of the tomb shaking and terrified, and out of fear said nothing to anyone” (Mark 16.8). Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone “alphabet” mysteries, passed away a few years ago, leaving her long-running series unfinished. Her… Read moreAbrupt: Ending in Y

“In response, Jesus said, ‘Get out of here, Satan. You know it’s written that worship and veneration are for the Holy One, and Them alone’” (Matthew 4.10). The first two temptations, as we’ve explored, hold at their heart similar elements…. Read moreWild Place: Mortal

“Once more, the Tempter took Jesus to the height of a tall mountain, and showed him the great empire of the earth and its splendor. The Tempter said, ‘All of this, and everything with them I’ll give you if you’ll… Read moreWild Place: Empires