I have a lot of sympathy for the Pharisees. They were trying to create a new kind of order in a world where the old orders had grown thin and been proven corrupt. Theirs would be the surviving Judaism, after the temple was destroyed for the second time. They led the jews of the diaspora … Continue reading Luke 13:1-21 Sympathy for the Pharisees
“Consider the lilies of the field,” I told her as she sat in my office, agonizing about grad school. She was a college senior, diligent, intelligent, able to do many things. She had always held herself apart from the life of parties and play that most students indulged in, so she seemed a little strange … Continue reading Luke 12:22-59 Consider the Lilies of the Field
When Jesus tells us that we should be afraid, what is it that we should fear? “Fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell,” he says. “Yes, I tell you, fear him!” He is pretty obviously talking about the devil, but what does the devil mean to us? It makes … Continue reading Luke 12:1-22 Is there a place for fear in my faith?
I went to visit a woman who had been found on a park bench and brought to our shelter by the police. A shelter worker became her advocate, and helped her get the five years of social security back pay that she was owed by the government. The worker helped her find a small apartment, … Continue reading Luke 11:14-54 An Empty House Swept and Put in Order
When my mother was in the hospital, I disliked the chaplains who came to pray beside her bed. Some of them were friends, and they only meant to do good, to be loving and kind.But they kept asking God for things. For her healing, for guidance for the doctors - all practical and needful things. … Continue reading Luke 11:1-13 The Holy Spirit will be given to you
KPB Stevens 