Sometime last year I stood in my living room, watching a neighbor of mine cut his lawn. It was a typically hot and sunny Saturday afternoon. My attention was drawn to him because I wondered why he wasn’t inside watching the baseball game of the week. But there he was, outside, pushing the gas-powered mower…

It is unlikely that Jesus ever worked for gainful employment as a shepherd. Tradition (not scripture) tells us that he learned his father’s trade and worked as a carpenter. He is called “rabbi” or “teacher” in some of the gospel stories which may or may not indicate a field of employment. Although we may not…

The incident in John’s gospel today is not the first one where Thomas goes and puts his foot in his mouth. Earlier, as Jesus was preparing for his arrest and death, he told the disciples, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas leapt in, saying, “Lord, we do not know…