Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23   When traditions are worth breaking Hand washing?   Really?   Is this a Gospel about hand washing?   Don't get me wrong, hand washing is important.   I support the practice.   I have been known to wash my own hands multiple times each day.   I am even handing down the tradition to my children, and, perhaps one day, to my children's children.   But after five intense weeks in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, struggling with the deep theological implications of eating Jesus' flesh and blood, considering the strange beauty and priceless gift that is the Holy Eucharist, the topic of hand-washing feels underwhelming.   It lacks a certain gravitas.   In fact, were I in the same situation as Jesus, I would likely have taken the easier route here, avoided the confrontation.   You pick your battles and the hand-washing thing just does not seem worth it.   I...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson John 6:51-58 Part Four: Eating Jesus Well, forget the bread.   Everyone has lost their appetite.   For a fleeting moment Jesus seemed like an amazing man. He worked miracles.   He fed the crowd.   He waxed poetically without a script. Had they never followed him across that lake, they could have held on to that beautiful image forever: five thousand people, sitting on a grassy hill, eating miraculous food until their bellies were full.   In their heads floated dreams of his kingly reign – a reign of health and wealth, security and power.   And Jesus, their miracle man, his compassionate gaze just warmed their hearts.   It was idyllic, perfect. But they stuck around too long.   After the meal, things devolved pretty rapidly.   First he left them.   He rebuffed their advances and slipped away under the cover of night.   Then he started talking.   And things got really confusing...