Dear Partner in Preaching, I’ll be completely honest and just admit that I totally sympathize with the monks. The monks, that is, who just couldn’t believe that Mark really ended at verse 16:8a in such an awkward, unsatisfying, and distressingly incomplete way. Here’s what we know about this ending: Although there are numerous later manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel that have alternative and longer endings, all the earliest manuscripts end right here. Which means that this is most likely where Mark wanted his story to end, with a final sentence that is grammatically awkward, ending rather abruptly and with a preposition – an unusual...
John 19:31-34
posted by DJL
Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, especially because that Sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke...
Still
posted by DJL
Christians have a reputation for being uncomfortable with sensuality and desire. Unfortunately, it’s not an entirely undeserved reputation. From Paul’s admonition that only those who are being consumed with uncontrollable passion should marry – and it’s easy to forget that as he said...
John 19:30
posted by DJL
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. After Jesus received the wine offered him on a hyssop branch, pulling together the two major strands of Israel’s story, he says words that, in my humble opinion ☺, are translated...
Friday Fun: The Dummy of Aberystwyth
posted by DJL
Sometimes, you just need to kick back a little and take time to smile. And that’s what this video is about. No deep reflection – or shallow reflections either, for that matter – no symbolism, no ulterior motive, just a little fun. A year or two ago I posted a video by Anton Hecht, an artist and indie filmmaker in Britain who, among many things, specializes in what I would describe as “community art” – making art and film by engaging community members in, for instance, playing the paino in a bus station or playing the harmonica in the cause of civic wellness. Anton got in touch to say thank you and since...