#ordinary 12

This section is still Jesus instructing his disciples as he sends them out to minister to the various towns and villages in the area. It’s a little bit scattered and feels like he’s piling on last thoughts and jumping from topic to topic. It’s a little bit like that song/commencement speech mashup from the 1990s. You know, this one He does have something on his mind though. Back in chapter 9, he…

Jesus heals this supposedly demon possessed man and sends him home. The last time this passage came around I noted that whatever the truth of his demon possession, this man is right to fear his friends and neighbours. He’s been treated pretty badly: chained and kept under guard. However well intentioned that treatment was, his fear of people and hiding in uninhabited places is an entirely…

Let’s back up a little to get some context. In the previous chapter, Jesus performed a public healing on the Sabbath and all of the sudden there were crowds. There are so many desperate that Jesus is unable to rest or eat. At the same time the religious leadership is suspicious and showing up in large numbers to ask tricky questions and make snide comments. His family has also shown up to tell…

Observing the treatment of this woman by Jesus and his disciples is uncomfortable. She’s here asking for help for her daughter. She’s making a scene, persistently following the group and yelling for help. The disciples ask Jesus to send her away and he tries. He explains to her that the healing and salvation that he brings is not for her. She argues with him. She’s not going to give up…

Thursday, Ordinary 12/Proper 7 – June 19

Jesus – Ruler of All

“”Christ in Majesty” the centerpiece of the Great Upper Church. At 3,600 square feet and containing nearly 3 million tiles, it is the one of the largest mosaics of Jesus in the world. John de Rosen designed the image in the Eastern Christian tradition of the Pantocrator, meaning the Ruler of All, or Celestial Emperor. Photo by David; CCL flickr

Meditation

Thursday, Ordinary…