December 30, 2013 | by The Hardest Question
When the Rabbi’s read they walk into the text. They bring themselves to it and step across the edge of the scroll, jump up onto its body, bouncing a little, believing it will hold their weight. And...
November 12, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
by Jodi-Renee Giron
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:1-8
For Sunday, November 18, 2012, Year B − Ordinary 33
After a day spent talking about loving your neighbor and commending sacrificial widows, Jesus and...
November 5, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
by Mike Stavlund
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44
For Sunday, November 11, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 32
Hanging out recently with a friend who grew up Baptist, I was asked if I had heard of the “Lottie Moon...
October 29, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-34
For Sunday, November 4, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 31
When I really look very closely at my congregants, I see that we are a hippie church. Peace, love and...
October 22, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:46-52
For Sunday, October 28, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 30
My father and I entered a huge concrete block building, crowded with people. My dad didn’t use a...
October 14, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45
For Sunday, October 21, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 29
So very often the hard questions come easy. But this text has so much beauty and subversive grace, so...
October 7, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31
For Sunday, October 14, 2012 Year B—Ordinary 28
What must I do to inherit eternal life? asks the rich man.
This text always makes me roll my eyes a...
October 1, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16
For Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012—Ordinary 27
When we started this blog, we set out with a clear resolve to take seriously the questions that came up as we...
September 24, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
by Danielle Shroyer
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-50
For Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012: Year B—Ordinary 26
“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him,...
September 16, 2012 | by The Hardest Question
Chapter nine of Mark sits right at the center of the gospel. Since Mark is structured chiastically...