Tag: jesus

  • Proper 28 (33), 17th November 2024

    Mark 13:1-8 The end and the coming of the Son 13:1As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 13:2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be…

  • Proper 27 (32), 10th November 2024

    St Mark 12:38-44 A widow’s generosity 12:38As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 12:39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 12:40They devour widows’ houses and for the sake…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • Proper 25 (30), 27th October 2024

    Mark 10:46-52 Christ heals blind Bartimaeus 10:46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 10:47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have…

  • Preaching Paths 27 October 2024

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Bartimaeus is the only healed person in Mark’s Gospel whose name we learn (Mark 10:46-52). The brief, dramatic story of Jesus pausing in his march to Jerusalem to restore Bartimaeus’ sight is compelling in its own right; yet, we only begin to discern the key role it…

  • Proper 25 (30), 20th October 2024

    St Mark 10:35-45 Warnings to ambitious disciples 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 10:36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 10:37And they said…

  • 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…

  • Proper 23 (28), 13th October 2024

    Mark 10:17-31 Teaching on wealth and reward 10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 10:18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.…

  • 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…