St. John’s Park Slope

I’m far more like the honor-seeking scribe than the self-giving widow. I’ve chased ‘long robes,’ ‘respect,’ and ‘seats of honor’ — even while pretending not to. But Jesus doesn’t praise the successful scribe; he exalts the selfless woman who gave it all.

A sermon about love two days before the national election. (But mostly it’s about Christ love because mine is so often fickle.)

“Jesus’ summary of the law is the good life, but it’s not the good news. ‘All you need is love’ is my anthem until someone cuts me off or shouts their politics. But there’s One who loved even His enemies—and He loves me when I barely pull off loving my friends.”

Were the disciples angry at James and John for seeking privilege, or because they hadn’t thought of it first? I suspect the latter—and I’m no different. Even when I pretend to be last, I still want to be first. I need my heart to be healed to truly love others as myself…

This passage hits hard. Like the rich man, we often trust in money over God, leaning on the sinking sand of Mammon instead of the solid rock of Christ. The disciples, torn up, ask, “Who then can be saved?” Christ offers the only hope: “For you, it’s impossible, but not with God—for with God all things are possible.”

Though we fail to keep our word, God never fails to keep his promises…

“For the last three weeks, the disciples have been consistently clueless—seeking a Messiah on their terms, consumed with their own greatness, and hoarding the kingdom’s power for themselves. Their bumbling is our relief. Despite their faltering, Christ’s commitment never wavers.”

“The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Jesus lives to serve, while his disciples scramble to be served. But his cross isn’t just a model to follow—it’s the power that saves and heals the so-called ‘greatest.’”

''C-3PO says, 'We’re made to suffer; it’s our lot in life.' But Jesus’ call to 'take up your cross' flips the script. We don’t 'lay down our lives' in resigned despair but in resurrection hope..."

It’s the 1st century. You’re a woman, a Gentile, and you’re begging a Jewish man to heal your demon-possessed child. By every standard, you’re an outsider. Yet this Jesus, who just declared all foods clean, goes further still—he makes the ‘unworthy’ worthy...

Jesus sees through the highly edited versions of ourselves and loves us anyway. No matter what lurks underneath, He draws near to heal our hearts.