Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 7:31–37
As the mother of five small children, meltdowns are expected. What isn't expected, however, is that I, the mother, the adult, should be having them, but that's what happened yesterday. My family was doing fine as I embarrassingly and humiliatingly melted down over what should have been a joy-filled day. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 7:1–8,14–15,21–23
Whenever Jesus addresses the Pharisees in Scripture, my conscience is pricked, and my heart is stirred. My love for tradition, ritual, and rules can lead me to be overly scrupulous of myself and others, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 6:60–69
My fourteen-year-old son is in a really fun phase of adolescence. Please note my sarcasm.
He loves to ask, “Why?” when either my husband or I ask him to do something like finish a chore he already knows he has to do, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 6:51–58
A photograph hangs on my office wall. It is a snapshot I was grateful to capture just steps away from my front door: a nest of three baby birds, featherless and fragile, with eyes looking toward heaven and beaks wide open. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 6:41–51
As I contemplate tomorrow’s gospel passage, I keep being drawn to the word “murmur.” Perhaps it’s because I find myself murmuring, or complaining, more often than I’d like to admit.
Murmuring—a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone; [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 6:24–35
Hunger pangs. We’ve all felt them. At one point or another, we’ve all been that girl sitting in the middle of a meeting or a test, embarrassed and red-faced because those loud, obnoxious growling noises aren’t somebody’s pet chihuahua hiding under the table. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 6:30–34
It’s summer! And so we must be sipping iced tea, having manicured nails in lovely shades of pink, achieving a perfect golden bronze tan. We must also be watching sunsets, anticipating our family vacation to the Cape, eating ice cream while maintaining the ideal figure, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 6:7–13
Chances are I would not have been among the apostles sent on their first missionary trip that we read about in this Sunday’s gospel. And if I had, well, I probably would have taken Jesus aside for a quick follow-up conversation regarding His “know before you go” instructions. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 5:21–43
Silence. Studying. Glancing up at me. More silence. After what felt like an eternity, but was only a few minutes, he finally spoke: “You need surgery.” Relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help but smile and even laugh a little. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Mark 4:35–41
Nothing inspires an instant response of gratitude in me more than immersing myself in God’s creation. Basking in His glory comes easy to me when wandering in a field of wildflowers, enjoying the shade of a tree, or savoring the radiant hues of a sunset. [...]
