Tali Sharot studies optimism. Actually, not just optimism in general, but the penchant most of us have for being unrealistically optimistic about our futures, our prospects, our health, our children and so on, while being similarly pessimistic about others’ chances. I guess that makes...
Philippians 1:12-18a
posted by DJL
I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the...
Hope as the Heart of the Christian Faith
posted by DJL
In this week’s column I write for Working Preacher I suggest that the simple parable of the mustard seed – which is the gospel reading for this Sunday – is not so much a cute maxim or fable about great things having modest beginnings, which is the way I usually hear it preached. Rather, and as I talked about in a recent Daily Bread devotion, I think it’s a warning that the kingdom of God, once it takes root, will spread like an unruly weed (which is what mustard was considered in the ancient world). Of course it’s only a warning to those who are satisfied with the status quo, those who benefit from the way the...