15 August 2011

Who do people say that the Son of Man is?

My friend and brother in ministry, the Rev. Steve Pankey has posted this helpful and provocative reflection on this week's gospel reading...read the excerpt below and go on over to his blog, Draughting Theology, to read the rest...

Who do people say that the Son of Man is?

It is a clunky sentence, that question from Jesus. Does he mean, "Who are people saying is the Son of Man?" Does he mean, "Who are people saying I am?" Is he looking for affirmation? Has his encounter with the Canaanite woman brought up real questions of identity in Jesus?

It is a clunky sentence, that question from Jesus, but it is far weightier than its clunkiness would lead us to believe.

From Steve Pankey's "Draughting Theology"

Saint Mary the Virgin August 15

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Talk no more so very proudly

This portion of 1 Samuel came up in today's reading in Morning Prayer. From the song of Hannah, a helpful reminder of the ways that our praise for God also helps us to cultivate humility.

'There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.

1 Samuel 2:2-3