Why baptism? What’s getting dunked got to do with anything? Why not a ceremonial haircut, or ritual slap round the face with a damp trout? … More Baptism of Christ and Lego! (Isa 43:1-7, Ps 29, Lk 3:15-17, 21-22)
He gives in to the vengeful scheming of his wife-cum-sister-in-law-cum-niece, and murders John to save his pride.
It’s a sorry tale of all that is worst in humanity. And all that John’s friends can do is mourn.
Sometimes things really stink. … More Mark 6:14-29 – Sometimes things really stink
Epiphany 1 – It’s easy to fake repentance, and even great deeds, as Jesus said in Matt 7. “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’” Ouch! Their faith was not real. It looked great from the outside, but had no inside. So how can we tell what’s real beauty and what’s just good make-up? How can we tell real repentance from following the crowd? How can we tell wheat from chaff? … More Baptism of Christ – Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Advent 2 – John was sent to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. He was the PR Events Manager who went ahead of the VIP, making sure everything, everyone, was ready for his coming. We need to make sure we’re ready too. Advent is the perfect time for a spiritual spring-clean. After all, if the Queen were coming round for tea, you’d make sure the loo was sparkling and there were some good biscuits in, wouldn’t you? … More Luke 3:1-6
Martha and Mary were suffering too, and that cut Jesus to the heart. He wept hot tears of sadness for their sadness. This was a hard place to be. But he was there. He was there, with them in their desolation. … More John 11:32-44
The Reflectionary 