Open-Handed Waiting

The Gospel reading is Luke 12:32-40

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples how to wait, how to be ready for the Son of Man.

Father Mark discusses “close-fisted waiting” and “open-handed waiting.” The former can lead to impatience throughout life, such as while waiting in a checkout line. We may tend to regard people and situations as impediments to our agenda and implicitly have the attitude of “my will be done.” The latter is open, not driven by agendas, looking to see Christ in all people and situations.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Participate in the Abundant Divine Life

The Gospel reading is Luke 11:13-21

We easily forget that the abundance in our lives is not our own. We are not our own. We have the opportunity to participate in the abundant Divine life. A spiritual exercise to help us to experience this is to imagine ourselves lying on the ground in a field of wheat, with the wheat growing up and through us, not even thinking of a barn into which we might stow the wheat.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Teach Us to Pray

The Gospel reading is Luke 11:1-13

Father Mark explains that prayer is not always answered, citing Jesus himself asking thrice that the cup of crucifixion be taken from him. Father Mark further explains that the Lord’s Prayer invites us into alignment with God in terms of being, and the world in which we live.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The One Thing Necessary

The Gospel reading is Luke 10:38-42

After the Gospel reading of the story of Martha and Mary, Father Mark explains the difference between ego-driven action, and action arising from our the indwelling Christ, divine love, deep within.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Gospel reading is Luke 10:25-37

After the Gospel reading of the well-known story of the Good Samaritan, Father Mark explores the difference being “head knowledge” and “heart knowledge” and explains his evolving perspective on gay marriage and abortion in this light. He emphasizes our opportunity not to be like the lawyer in the story, but rather for our actions to flow from and with divine love.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

God is Vulnerable Love

The Scripture reading is Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus sent the 70 out into the world not even permitting them sandals for the road, bidding them to eat what was set before them. Father Mark suggests that this was to help them to be vulnerable and humble, and to further recognize their utter dependence on God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Love of God in a Hostile World

The Scripture reading is Luke 9:51-62

Father Mark explains that as our true selves in God we are little Christs who spread by word and action the love of God in a hostile world.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Our True Identity in God

The Scripture reading is Luke 8:26-39

Jesus healed a man possessed. Father Mark discusses what it means to be possessed, how his anorexia as a young man became part of his identity and in a way possessed us, and how this takes us away from our true identity in God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Dance of the Trinity

The Scripture reading is John 16:12-15

On this Trinitarian Sunday, Father Mark discusses unity and diversity in daily life and in the Holy Trinity, which often is represented as a flowing dance among the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are invited to participate in the never-ending flow of Divine Love that is the Dance of the Trinity.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Where Do We Find God?

The Scripture reading is Acts 2:1-12, John 14:8-17 (25-27)

On this Pentecost Sunday, Father Mark discusses the appearance of the Holy Spirit and its strange and powerful impact on the disciples, as well as where we look for and find God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.