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Preaching Paths 10 November 2024 Proper 27B
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary For centuries, the widow we meet in today’s lection (Mark 12:38-44) has been valorized as an exemplar of self-denying generosity. But in recent years, scholars have argued that Jesus calls attention to this widow, not as an example to be followed, but because she is a victim…
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Proper 26 (31), 3rd November 2024
Mark 12:28-34 Two commandments: love God and neighbor 12:28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 12:29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 12:30you…
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Preaching Paths 3 November 2024 Proper 26B
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In this week’s lection (Mark 12:28-34), Mark surprises us. We meet a scribe who is sympathetic, not antagonistic, to Jesus. We find him lingering nearby, listening in while three sets of Jewish leaders question Jesus, hoping to catch him opposing either Jewish or Roman legal codes. First,…
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Preaching Paths 20 October 2024 Proper 24B
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary A first step toward reliable interpretation of today’s gospel text, Mark 10:35-45, will be to expand the limits of the lection to include vv 32-34. Doing so makes clear that we have before us the third instance of a threefold literary structure in Mark: 1) Jesus predicts…
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Preaching Paths 13 October 2024 Proper 23
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In today’s Gospel reading, Mark 10:17-31, Jesus is met on his way to Jerusalem by a man eager to “inherit eternal life.” Addressing Jesus as “good Teacher,” he respectfully asks for instruction. Jesus replies, first, with a question: “Why do you call me ‘good?’ God alone is…
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Proper 22 (27), 6th October 2024
Mark 10:2-16 Teaching on marriage 10:2Some testing him, asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 10:3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 10:4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 10:5But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he…
Insights into Biblical Greek Grammar and Syntax 