Waxing Theological

7/26/15 (Proper 12 / Ordinary 17 B, Semi-Continuous) 2 Samuel 11:1-15; John 6:1-21 Fishy Business     Looking at this week’s texts, especially the text from 2 Samuel, it never ceases to amaze me how much things have changed, and yet at the same time, how things are still as much the same as they have always been.  Perhaps it’s only because we’re more connected, able to be more aware of these things, but it feels like lately, we’ve become a people who live on scandals.  Every week, there’s a new outrage, a new scandal, a new conversation being hotly debated among our friends and acquaintances.  As violent tragedies continue to abound and people continue to be hurt and killed in our country, the debates over guns, race, politics, and more are re-ignited.  Celebrities are constantly saying or doing something that sets us abuzz in indignation or outrage, and then apologizing for it a few days later after the publicity has waned.  Petitions and protests are popping up all over the place

7/18/15 (Proper 11/Ordinary 16B Semi-Continuous) 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Rest for the Weary     There’s a popular adage that gets thrown around any time someone finds themselves up to their neck with work.  Depending upon who you hear it from, it’s either “There’s no rest for the wicked,” or “There’s no rest for the weary.”  I had a neighbor growing up who used to say “There’s no rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t need any.”  Regardless of the version you are most familiar with, the sentiment it expresses is one we’ve all felt.  And if we take today’s reading from Mark’s gospel into consideration, we discover that it’s the perfect portrayal of this proverbial statement.     As we’ve journeyed together through the lectionary over the last few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to see Jesus engaged full-swing in his ministry on earth.  He’s resurrected Jairus’ daughter, healed a hemorrhaging woman, and sent the disciples to their own mission.  The impact of his m