This Markan sandwich is made up of two stories: Jesus cursing the fig tree and Jesus cleansing the temple. The fig tree that Jesus cursed had leaves but no fruit. Our faith can become like the fig tree if our leaves are an outward display of faith but...

The death of John the Baptist is the substantial filling in this "Dagwood Sandwich," surrounded by the story of Jesus sending out his disciples. We learn from these sandwiched stories that following Jesus can be a dangerous calling, but God...

Two stories of healing remind us what it means to have faith, and point us toward the time when we will be made whole.

What does it mean to be part of Jesus' family? This story reminds us that when we see the world the way Jesus does the insiders become outsiders and the outsiders become insiders.

As we focus on the temptations of Jesus, we also think about our own temptations. How are we tempted? Is the biggest temptation we face forgetting we are the Beloved of God?

In the first Exodus, Moses led the people of Israel from slavery to freedom and a new life. Jesus is a new Moses, who leads us from slavery to sin and an old way of life, to salvation.

Peter learned that he had to get outside his comfort zone and go deeper if he wanted to receive all Jesus had to offer. Fishing in deep water is important today too as we make new disciples and love our neighbors.

When we read this parable it's easy to identify with one of the sons, or sometimes both. The parable is actually teaching us to outgrow being the prodigal younger brother or the self-righteous older brother and become like the Father.

The older brother in the story was just as lost from the father as the younger brother, even though he never left home.

The prodigal son is the best known character in the parable. He reminds us that we all make mistakes and do things that separate us from the Father. Like the father in the parable, God stands ready to forgive and accept us back into the family.