“Not Peace But Division”… The words of Jesus are hard to hear today....and yet I have learned that what he points to, while painful,...

Luke 12:49-56 49 “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized...

I have a cartoon taped on our kitchen cabinet that pictures a man in bed late at night. He's sitting up, scribbling on a note pad, and...

Luke 12:32-40 32  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33  Sell your possessions, and...

The perspective offered in this week's Gospel lesson is one that's always hard earned and too often, I'm afraid, comes to us late. I, at...

Luke 12:13-21 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to...

Grace – by Eric Enstrom Thoughts on Prayer: Maybe some say, "I know human love, and I know something of its power to heal, to set free,...

Luke 11:1-13 11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to...

Luke 10:38-42 38  Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into the house....

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary - Johannes Vermeer. Because I am a lot like Martha , I’ve always balked at the interpretations of...

The Parable of the Good Samaritan,’ Francesco Bassano - 1575, from the Art History Museum in Vienna. I will admit that it can be...

Luke 10:25-37 25  And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 ...

I picture Jesus' hometown family and friends squirming in their synagogue seats and craning their necks to see if he's coming up the...

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20   10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place...

Luke 9:51-62 NRSV 51  When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.  52  And he sent messengers...

When you get on board BART, a Cal-Train, or even Amtrak, which seats do you choose?  Do you like the seats that face front, the direction...

What does silence mean to you?  Time to rest? Peace? Or “Oh, oh. The kids are too quiet. What are they up to now?”  Whatever silence...

Old Testament Reading 1Kings 19:9-15a NRSV 9  At that place he came to a cave and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came...

A bird or a flame. Traditionally, these are the most common images used as metaphors for the Holy Spirit. The ornithological metaphor is...

John 16:12-15 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide...