Trinitarian Roulette

A stand-off with the second person of the Godhead.

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17 

For Sunday, June 3, 2012: Year B—Trinity Sunday

This is an ideal scenario for Jesus’ foundering PR...

In new testament, Mike Stavlund, love, nicodemus, Trinity, Featured, John, save, John 3:16, condemn, YearB, world, synoptic

One Size Fits All

An enigmatic historical account and the blame game.

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading: John 2:13-22

For Sunday, March 11, 2012: Year B—Lent 3

For some reason, Jesus picks this one day out of his whole...

In new testament, Mike Stavlund, Temple, Ann Lamott, predjudice, Featured, John, image, YearB, blame

The Law of Love

The Ten Commandments as a Way Station.

by Mike Stavlund

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

For Sunday, March 11, 2012: Year B—Lent 3

If you or I were coming down from Mt Sinai, what would the...

In Mike Stavlund, Old Testament, righteousness, spirit, law, Exodus, Featured, moral, decalogue, Lawrence Kohlberg, YearB, Ten Commandments, Piaget

Bad Dad?

Is our "fear of the Lord" more philosophical, or more guttural?

by Mike Stavlund

Psalm Reading: Psalm 95:1-7a; Psalm 100

For Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011: Year A—Christ the King Sunday

Like most Psalms,...

In anger, Mike Stavlund, Old Testament, Father, Psalms, shepherd, Featured, fear, YearA, joy

Drawing Lines Between // "The Other"

Is our tendency toward selfishness and judgment by nature, or by design?

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 25:31-46

For Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011: Year A—Christ the King Sunday

This passage...

In new testament, sheep goats, Mike Stavlund, Featured, eternal, judgment, surprise, YearA, other, throne, Matthew

Mean Jesus?

Who got up on the wrong side of the bed?

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28

For Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011: Year A—Ordinary 20

Did Jesus ever have a bad day? You know, one of those...

In new testament, anger, Mike Stavlund, Pharisees, hypocrite, Sidon, Featured, YearA, Tyre, Matthew

Insider/Outsider

Whose side are we on?

by Mike Stavlund

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 45:1-15

For Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011: Year A—Ordinary 20

It is a beloved theme in many of our films and plays and stories: the hand...

In Mike Stavlund, Old Testament, exclusive, Egypt, Joseph, Featured, inclusive, YearA, Genesis, chosen

Circuitous Story

Isn’t it wiser to accept the inevitable? 

by Mike Stavlund 

Gospel Reading:  John 11:1-45

For Sunday, Apr. 10, 2011:  Year A - Lent 5  

I've always been a Matthew Man. My beloved Gospel writer is...

In new testament, Mike Stavlund, life, fight, dignity, weary, Featured, John, death, YearA, Peace, Lazarus

Foreshadowing

Is our flesh so bad?

by Mike Stavlund 

Epistle Reading:  Romans 8:6-11

For Sunday, Apr. 10, 2011:  Year A - Lent 5  

Resurrection is everywhere this week. Lazarus rises, the Psalmist cries out from...

In new testament, Mike Stavlund, body, life, spirit, Romans, Featured, flesh, blood, death, YearA

Looking the Other Way

Who is God with when Immanuel hightails it to Egypt?

by Mike Stavlund

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

For Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010: Year A - First Sunday After Christmas

History, it is said, is...

In Advent, new testament, Mike Stavlund, genocide, Egypt, slaughter, YearA, Immanuel, Matthew, silence