The Jesus in this Gospel troubles me. In the other three Gospels, Jesus wavers before the cross—but not in John. Pondering the cross he asks, “What should I say, ‘Father save...

Jesus arrives in Bethany six days before the Passover. We have just learned that the authorities plan to put him to death. (See John 11:53-57.) And we can scarcely envision any...

We stand on the threshold of the complexities of Holy Week.Our readings this week have invited us to think about the intimate relationship between despair and hopefulness, sadness and joy. The...

Jesus experienced all our human emotions. As he moves toward Jerusalem for the last time, he teaches through parables; he heals; he calls to Zacchaeus. Then he sends two disciples to...

The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.” Wisdom about God comes from the mouth of one who has known distress and despair. The word salvation...

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” These daunting words begin the song found in Philippians 2, a song that does not glorify Jesus’ divinity or...

The psalmist says that his life is “spent with sorrow.” In all likelihood this does not reflect his entire existence; but at this particular moment, his experience is real and seemingly...

Today’s passage comes from Isaiah’s third servant song. In the servant songs, Israel or the prophet testifies to the calling God has given—the calling to live out and bear witness to...

The psalmist calls us to thanksgiving for God’s enduring love and faithfulness. Over and over again the psalmist affirms the love of God, God’s hesed, which never lets us go. Praise...

The psalmist records a pilgrimage song in Psalm 126: a pilgrimage from desert and wilderness wandering to being a people restored by God’s grace who relish life-giving water. The journey from...