Jesus' so-called 'High Priestly Prayer' sounds lofty and removed from normal daily life. It can be a bit confusing with references to this person being in that person and lots of 'oneness' going on.

Yet, it is not as high-falooting as it may first sound. It is a prayer about where life is...

Another of John's Gospel 'I am' sayings. In my view this is a rich saying that has barely been explored. What I really love about this section of discourse is that it reveals just how prepared Jesus is in regard to his followers. Jesus certainly seemed to know Peter better than Peter knew himself.

When Jesus designates himself as the access point of the Kingdom was he really just claiming to have the access code to hand out to his friends? What if 'believing in Jesus' and 'following Jesus' means more than we have popularly imagined.

Who is the role model for your desires?

(With gratitude to René Girard)

The disciples on the road to Emmaus were at the first stage of the massive revelation of all that it meant that Jesus had lived, been crucified and risen. Their world would not be the same again!

What does it mean to be 'risen in Christ'? When we seek the 'things above' what are we talking about? Are these code words for events long past and behaviours that are now irrelevant?

There is nothing more relevant for today...

It is all too easy to breeze past these stories of the Patriarch's with preconceived ideas about who they were and what they were like. Abram - freekin' amazing faith!

Who would have thought temptation could be so exciting? Hang on.... that doesn't sound right?!

Welcome to the twilight zone. Glowing figures and conversing with ghosts! What on earth is this transfiguration passage meant to be about?!

Jesus penchant for addressing matters of the heart finds extreme expression in this passage recorded in Matthew's gospel. Straightforward and confronting. Simple but not easy. Jesus calls us into the true life of authenticity and out of the half-life of our character roles.

I used to think the bits about salt and light were commandments in style. I now see they are statements of fact. Jesus helping us appreciate our identity, role and function as his followers.

Then the bit about Jesus' approach to the Law and the Prophets clarifies how it sometimes appears as though Jesus was breaking the Law (but not abolishing it) and all the while getting to the heart of its intent.