We live in a divided world. This is nothing new, but what is perhaps surprising, especially for those of us who grew up in stable times in the West that seemed to carry so much promise for the future, is that the world seems only to be growing more divided, not less. We have increasing … Continue reading The Father’s Love: A Reflection on Luke 15.1-3, 11-32 & 2 Corinthians 5.16-21
Imitation has a bumpy reputation in Western culture today. In the world of things, imitation is often equivalent to ‘false’ or even ‘substandard’, as in the case of imitation leather or imitation crab. In the world of art, literature, and education, it is at best understood as a lack of unique contribution, and at worst … Continue reading Imitated, Never Duplicated: A Reflection on Philippians 3.17-4.1
The Bible loves to play with contrasts. It confronts the reader with choices, often drawn in stark terms: sometimes these are about good and bad, as in the two ways of Psalm 1 that lead either to fertility or barrenness; but at other times, the contrasts are more nuanced, such as the two holy mountains … Continue reading The Wilderness and the Land: A Reflection on Deuteronomy 26.1-11 and Luke 4.1-13
Jesus is rarely who we want him to be. We want him to be comfortable, reassuring, and safe, but he is none of these things. Jesus’ teaching is hard. If we really hear it, no matter where we are situated in terms of economics, society, or politics, it will make us uncomfortable, unsettled, and feel … Continue reading Jesus the Radical: A Reflection on Luke 6.27-38
The other week, I wrote that if I could only have two pieces of Scripture to form my Bible, I’d choose Jesus’ appropriation of Isaiah 61 as his personal mission (Luke 4) and the first half of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). As it happens, today’s Gospel reading is Luke’s parallel telling of … Continue reading Blessed Are You Poor (in Spirit?): A Reflection on Luke 6.17-26
Matthew Root 