One way to approach scripture is by asking ourselves two questions. “What’s going on here?” is the first. It forces us to delve a little deeper, to see if we can get a handle on the passage in question and really understand it. The second question is “What does that mean for us?” This question…

We thought last week’s gospel was the tough one, didn’t we? Last Sunday’s passage was the turning point in Matthew’s gospel – the point where Jesus begins to announce his fate. He begins telling his followers that his end is death and theirs, most likely, would be death, too. Remember, Peter said, “God forbid,” and…

At various points in our lives we need to “step up to the plate.” As scary as some of these times have been, they usually have been moments that have initiated some transitions in our lives and offered us the opportunity to draw upon the memories of our early years. The lessons for today lead…

Who are you? Who are your people? Who are your kin? These are questions we’re asked in many different ways every day. Culturally, in the South, “Who are your people?” is an essential question—usually the first question a new person in town, or a new boy or girlfriend is asked. Think about it. We ask…

Well, this is a rough gospel passage, isn’t it? It seems as if an awful lot of people are going to be disappointed when they come to enter the kingdom of heaven. It sounds as if Jesus is saying that even though some people think they’ve been doing good things, Jesus is going to say…