The lesson appointed for today from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of two men in very different circumstances whose lives are about to intersect in a way neither of them could have expected. It’s a common literary trope, and reads like the blurb on the back of a novel. And as is … Continue reading A God of Surprises (A Reflection on Acts 9.1-20)
“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mk 7.15f) This brief passage from today’s Gospel reading is one of the most revolutionary of Jesus’ … Continue reading Spotless (A Reflection on Mark 7.14-23)
“Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine...” This line from the post-Communion prayers — a paraphrase of Ephesians 3.20 — has always been one of my favorites. Its promises inspired me as a young child in Yukon, and it was still able to reach … Continue reading More than we Know (A Reflection on Mark 6.1-6)
The Gospel appointed for today is the Parable of the Sower as it’s recorded in the Gospel according to Mark. At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” I remember this line striking me when I first went on my Bible-reading binge when I was nineteen, and it’s … Continue reading Ears to Hear (A Reflection on Mark 4.1-20)
One of my favorite cartoons features two panels. In the first, a speaker addressing a crowded room asks, “Who wants change?” And everyone puts up their hand. In the second panel, the speaker asks, “Who wants to change?” and all the arms go down. Like so many cartoons, it’s funny because it’s true. It hits … Continue reading Who wants change? (A reflection on Mark 1.21-28)
Matthew Root 