A truth deeper than historicity
Annunciation to BVMHoly Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley14 April 2024 [https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4942823] On this principal Marian festival—Lady Day—we celebrate Mary in both…
Radical transformation
Easter 2 (B)St Catherine’s, Centenary Suburbs7 April 2024 Explanatory note: The liturgy planning for this Sunday at St Catherine’s where…
of back stories and afterlives
St John’s Cathedral, BrisbaneChoral Evensong20 August 2023 Of back stories and afterlives In a majestic edifice such as this Cathedral…
On the Trinity at Trinity
Trinity SundayHoly Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley4 June 2023 IMAGE: Holy Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley, 8 January 2007. Photograph by DBHKer.…
A week later
Easter 2ASt Andrew’s Church, Lismore16 April 2023 [ video ] A week has passed. Last week the churches were abuzz…
When Easter is a verb
IMAGE: First-century rolling stone tomb below the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth, Nazareth. Photo by Gregory C. Jenks. Easter…
When Jesus said YES to God
Good FridaySt Andrew’s Church, Lismore7 April 2023 When Jesus said YES to God Today we face a brute fact: Jesus…
Glimpsing the kingdom here among us
MaundyThursdaySt Andrew’s Church, Lismore6 April 2023 [ video ] IMAGE: Wikipedia Commons. Iglesia de Sant Jaume, Alcúdia, Mallorca, Spain Tonight…
Always on a donkey
Palm Sunday 2023St Andrew’s Church, Lismore2 April 2023 Here we are at the beginning of Holy Week, that rare point in…
Devastation and beyond
St Andrew’s Church, LismoreFifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)26 March 2023 [ video ] Our readings today offer two powerful…
There are none so blind
Lent 4 (A)St Andrew’s Church, Lismore19 March 2023 There are none so blind Today we have the latest in…
Come to the water
Lent 3 (A)St Andrew’s Church, Lismore12 March 2023video What a feast of Scripture we have been served by the lectionary…
Called to be a blessing
Lent 2 (A)St Andrew’s, Lismore5 March 2023 Video of this sermon As a general rule, I preach on the Gospel…
Authentic Jesus people
This sermon is the final in the ON THE WAY series at Casino Anglican Church, July/October 2022 In the Old…
And even the dogs
IMAGE: Rich man and Lazarus. Illustration from the eleventh-century Codex Aureus Epternacensis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_man_and_Lazarus This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon…
Parable of the audit
IMAGE: Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1490–1546. Parable of the Unjust Steward. Wikimedia Commons. This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon…
A destiny embraced
This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 During these 13…
Forming community transforming lives
This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 Once again we…
You first, please
This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 Luke 14:1,7–14 On…
A queer church
[IMAGE: Unley Uniting Church, Adelaide] This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino…
Beyond nice
It was the first Sunday for the new priest. A locum, actually. Just a temp! Everyone was waiting to form…
Alert but not alarmed
[IMAGE: https://alert-not-alarmed.com] This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 In…
Foolish generosity
[IMAGE: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/49300487777%5D This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 The…
Learning to pray, learning to live
[IMAGE: The Lord’s Prayer in many different languages at the Pater Noster Church in Jerusalem] This post is part of…
Martha and Mary
This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino July/October 2022 Another…
Anyone but them
A sermon for St Mark’s Anglican Church, Casino on Sunday, 10 July 2022 This post is part of the ON…
Agents of an alternative reality
Image: An ancient Roman road. Wikimedia Commons. This post is part of the ON THE WAY sermon series at St…
Ecological impacts of Zionism
Many years ago, I think 2006, I attended a seminar presented by the Applied Research Institute in Jerusalem (ARIJ) on…
Books seeking new homes
Having recently retired, I have a number of long time book friends who are seeking new homes. We are all…
Word gets out
Third Sunday of AdventSt Mark’s Church, Casino12 December 2021 You may recall from last Sunday that we have a special…
On Jordan’s bank
Second Sunday of AdventSt Mark’s Church, Casino5 December 2021 This week and next Sunday we focus on John the Baptizer.…
Truth that matters
Feast of Christ the KingChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton21 November 2021 [ video ] The truth that matters Our Gospel today…
Because of them
Festival of All Saints & All SoulsChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton31 October 2021 [ video ] Because of them Today we…
What did the blind men see?
Christ Church Cathedral GraftonPentecost 22B24 October 2021 [ video ] Not seeing the forest for the trees Sometimes we are…
Awesome discipleship
Pentecost 21BChrist Church Cathedral Grafton17 October 2021 [ video ] This morning we were to baptise two children, but sadly…
Creation matters
Christ Church Cathedral GraftonCreation Time 1: Earth 5 September 2021 [ video ] Season of Creation What were you doing…
Why pray
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonPentecost 13B22 August 2021 [ video ] This seems like a good day to talk about prayer…
Religion as wisdom quest
Dormition of our LadyChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton15 August 2021 [ video ] Mary, Mother of the Lord Our liturgical headline…
Antipas wants to meet Jesus
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Year B)Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton12 July 2021 [ video ] This week we have another biblical…
When the light comes
Festival of the Coming of the LightChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton4 July 2021 [ video ] Around the country today, Anglicans…
In the eye of the beholder
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonThird Sunday after Pentecost13 June 2021 [ video ] We are told that beauty is in the…
Keeping Jesus quiet
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonSecond Sunday after Pentecost 6 June 2021 [ video ] This is the Year of Mark in…
Creating a shared future in Palestine
The final in a series of brief blog posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine. Human rights and…
Palestinian resistance
Part of a series of brief posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine Human rights and the future…
Wars and rumors of war
Part of a series of brief posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine Human rights and the future…
The war of 1948
Part of a series of post offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine Human rights and the future of…
Dividing Palestine
Part of a series of brief posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine. Human rights and the future…
Jewish migration to Palestine
This post is part of a series offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine Human rights and the future…
Zionism as a colonial project
Part of a series of posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine Human rights and the future of…
A time between empires
The third post in a series offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine. Human rights and the future of…
Location, location
This is the second in a series of posts offering a perspective on the conflict in Palestine. Human rights and…
Human rights and the future of Palestine
Human rights and the future of Palestine | Location location | A time between empires | Zionism as a colonial…
True vine, authentic holiness
Fifth Sunday of EasterChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton2 May 2021 [ video ] We are now very much in the second…
Living in two worlds
The Feast of St MarkChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton25 April 2021 [ video ] While almost everyone in Australia today is…
The heart of the good news
Good FridayChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton2 April 2021 [ video ] A week or two back, a colleague and friend from…
The god who rides a donkey
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonPalm Sunday28 March 2021 [ video ] As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, our Jewish friends are…
Imagining our better selves
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonLent 1B21 February 2021 [ video ] Here we are early in the 40 days of Lent…
The God who is yet to be known
Fifth Sunday after EpiphanyChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton7 February 2021 [ video ] During these Sundays between Christmas and Lent—the Epiphany…
Doing religion
Epiphany 2BChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton17 January 2021 [ video ] Doing religion (not just supporting it) In these weeks between…
We Three Kings
The Feast of the EpiphanyChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton3 January 2021 Matthew’s story An early Christian author, who has become known…
Transforming a world by compassionate living
This sermon for Christmas morning at Christ church Cathedral in Grafton was inspired by a beautiful paragraph in a Christmas…
Mary said, Yes
There is no written text for this unplanned and unscripted sermon for the mid-week service at Christ Church Cathedral this…
Marana tha
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonAdvent Sunday29 November 2020 [ video ] Well, here we are: Advent Sunday 2020. A new church…
The Great Feast
Christ Church Cathedral GraftonPentecost 19A11 October 2020 [ video ] The Table of the Lord The Table is at the…
We are not alone
… to be fully alive is to appreciate our place within the web of life in all its diversity …
The blessing of diversity
First Sunday in Creation TimeChrist Church Cathedral, Grafton6 September 2020 [ video ] Spring has arrived, at least for those…
A G*d beyond any words
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton 13th Sunday after Pentecost 30 August 2020 [ video ] This is one of those Sundays when the…
The prophet and the Lebanese mother
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonEleventh Sunday after Pentecost16 August 2020 [ video ] It was the rostered day off for Jesus…
Dreamy Joe
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonTenth Sunday after Pentecost (A)9 August 2020 [ video ] For our first reading today we have…
It’s complicated
Christ Church Cathedral, GraftonPentecost 8A26 July 2020 [ video ] Another Sunday and another text that portrays women as reproductive…
Peter and Paul
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Feast of St Peter & St Paul 28 June 2020 [ video ] Around the…
Hagar the Egyptian
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Third Sunday after Pentecost (Year A) 21 June 2020 [ video ] Sometimes the lectionary offers…
Black Lives Matter to Jesus
This post was first published as an opinion piece for A Progressive Christian Voice Australia. There is an age-old divide…
A bountiful harvest
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Second Sunday after Pentecost 14 June 2020 [ video ] It is so hard to…
The eighth day of creation
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost. Sunday 31 May 2020 [ video ] Everything begins in chaos Darkness Tohu vabohu,…
Creating a Network not forming a Crowd
Palm Sunday Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 5 April 2020 [ video ] It is Palm Sunday, a day for…
Faith community compassion generosity
Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year A) Grafton Cathedral 22 March 2020 [ video ] The gospel set for today is strangely…
Clean hands and open hearts
This opinion piece appeared in The Daily Examiner on Thursday, 12 March 2020 “Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.”…
Solidarity in blessings
First Sunday of Lent (Year A) Christchurch Cathedral Grafton 1 March 2020 [ video ] Perhaps not surprisingly on this…
Think different
Grafton Cathedral Epiphany 6A 16 February 2020 [ video ] Between 1997 and 2002, Apple Computers (as they were…
Religion that pleases God
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 9 February 2020 [ video ] Our readings today revolve around…
Love with its sleeves rolled up
Australia Day 2020 Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 26 January 2020 For almost five months, fires have raged…
Gifts exotic and rare
Feast of the Epiphany Grafton Cathedral 5 January 2020 [ video ] Here we are—almost—at the Twelfth Day of Christmas.…
Celebrating the birth of Jesus
The Christ Mass 24 & 25 December 2019 Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton [ Let Mum rest | Video ] Around…
Son of David
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A) 22 December 2019 [ video ] What a difference one…
Good news for some
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Twentieth Sunday after Pentecosts (C) 27 October 2019 [ video ] That gospel reading has two…
Two people walked into Grafton Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost 19(C) 20 October 2019 [ video ] Today’s Gospel presents two views of religion.…
Scripture trumps Constitution
Given continuing debates around the Anglican Church of Australia and elsewhere about the status of the Book of Common Prayer of…
Faithful responses to climate change
In the last couple of days, there has been some controversy around the comments made by the Principal of the…
Season of Creation: 3. Storm Sunday
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Season of Creation, 3: Storm Sunday 15 September 2019 [ video ] As you…
Life in all its abundance and diversity
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Creation Sunday 2: Fauna and Flora 8 September 2019 [ video ] During this special series,…
The web of life
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton First Sunday of Creation: Ocean 1 September 2019 [ video ] Season of Creation: Ocean Sunday…
A great cloud of witnesses
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Pentecost 10(C) 18 August 2019 [ video ] A great cloud of witnesses Once again…
Heart and treasure
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost 9 (C) 11 August 2019 [ video ] Each week the lectionary serves up…
For whom the bell tolls
Almost 400 years ago, John Donne penned the words which became a modern proverb, and have proved with the passing…
Mary the Tower
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Feast of the Magdalene 21 July 2019 [ video ] The Magdalene Today we…
No purse, no bag, no sandals
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost 4C 7 July 2019 [ video ] Today we going back into the lectionary…
Ending spiritual and emotional violence towards LGBTQI+ persons
A speech to the Synod of Grafton Diocese on Sunday, 23 June 2019, when moving the following motion (shown in…
with all that I have
Third Sunday after Pentecost Christchurch Cathedral, Grafton 30 June 2019 [ video ] Through this past month of…
Spirit of the living God
Pentecost Sunday Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 9 June 2019 [ video ] Last week we started a series of…
First things first
Easter 7C Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 2 June 2019 [ video ] At its last meeting, Parish…
Wisdom has set a table
CVAS Junior School Worship 26 May 2019 Christ Church Cathedral Grafton [ video ] The Table stands at the…
Love, actually (again)
Easter 5C Christchurch Cathedral, Grafton 19 May 2019 [ video ] Love, actually (again)# # “again”, because…
The Fourth R
For years now educators have reminded us of the need to address the “three R’s”: Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic. At…
The Good Shepherd
Easter 4C / Mothers’ Day Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 12 May 2019 [ video ] It is a beautiful accident…
Sarcasm as a rhetorical tool
The axiom, “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence”, is usually attributed to Oscar…
Reading the Bible to promote human flourishing
The Bible as a Charter for the Human Spirit: Reading the Bible to Promote Human Flourishing Gregory C. Jenks Festival…
Imagine a church without Paul
Easter 3C St Luke’s Church, Mosman 5 May 2019 Thank you to Fr Max for the opportunity to be with…
The eternal dance of doubt and faith
Earth Sunday / Easter 2C Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 28 April 2019 [ video ] Already it has been…
Religion is no cloak for hate speech
The media has recently been awash with stories about the hateful comments made online by Australian Rugby Union star, Israel…
Morsels 2019 March
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
The God who says YES
Easter Day Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 21 April 2019 [ video ] An Easter sermon. For us the events of…
In memory of her
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Lent 5 (C) 7 April 2019 [ video ] A woman with a jar of expensive…
Compassionate Grafton
These past few days the people of Grafton and the wider Clarence Valley have reeled in shock as we heard…
The four temptations of Jesus
First Sunday of Lent Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 10 March 2019 [ video ] The tradition of Jesus spending some…
Morsels 2019 February
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Morsels 2019 January
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these vversions of the messages are…
Morsels 2018 December
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Morsels 2018 November
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Morsels 2018 October
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Morsels 2018 September
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Morsels 2018 August
An archive of previous “Daily Morsels” published on the Cathedral app. Please note that these versions of the messages are…
Mindful worshippers
Prayerful Practices A checklist for mindful worshippers A checklist for prayerful practices to help us become more mindful as we…
And the lot fell on Matthias
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Feast of St Matthias 24 February 2019 [ video ] It was the first…
The God who subverts
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Epiphany 6C 17 February 2019 [ video ] We really should have expected this from…
The God who calls
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Epiphany 5C 10 February 2019 [ video ] Sometimes the readings that are served up…
Intentional discipleship
This essay was published in the February 2019 issue of North Coast Anglican which will be available in churches across…
Colonies of grace and communities of reconciliation
Epiphany 3C / Australia Day Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 27 January 2019 [ video ] At first glance those…
800 bottles of your best wine, please
Epiphany 2C Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 20 January 2019 [ video ] All around the world today, the Gospel…
The Baptism of the Lord
Christ Church Cathedral Baptism of the Lord 13 January 2019 [ video ] Slowly Christmas is receding into the…
We three kings and then some
Epiphany Christ Church Cathedral 6 January 2018 [ video ] Here we are on the twelfth day of Christmas…
Emmanuel
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Christmas Eve 24 December 2018 [ video ] Well, here we are … In the…
Love, actually
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Advent 4 (C) 23 December 2018 [ video ] Here we are on the fourth…
Rejoice in the Lord always
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Advent 3 (C) 16 December 2018 As we know, each week during Advent has…
Hope, not fear
Advent Sunday Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 2 December 2018 Here we are on the threshold of a new year…
Reflections on stuffing envelopes
As a child of active church people in the 1960s and then a young church leader in the 1970s, I…
The precious in-between time
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Admission of Children to Holy Communion 18 November 2018 In our first reading this morning…
A sure and certain hope
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton All Saints & All Souls 4 November 2018 At some time in the past…
Saint Simon and St Jude
St Simon & St Jude Grafton Cathedral 28 October 2018 During the course of the year, we celebrate numerous…
Francis and the wolf
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Creation Sunday Blessing of the Animals 7 October 2018 Let’s begin with a story ……
Capernaum’s child
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (B) 23 September 2018 Mark the Gospel artist continues working…
The turning point
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (B) 16 September 2018 In today’s gospel reading we reach the…
Crumbs of compassion
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (B) 9 September 2018 All three readings today revolve around the…
The secret of the grain that falls
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton The Martyrs of PNG 2 September 2018 In today’s Gospel—chosen for the festival of the…
Paul in his own words
As I prepare for a Dean’s Forum tomorrow with a focus on what we know about Paul the Apostle, this…
Building strong families
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost 12 (B) 12 August 2018 The great lectionary diversion As basic pattern,…
Abundance
Pentecost 10B Christ Church Cathedral Grafton 29 July 2018 This week’s Gospel offers us one of the all-time favourite…
Capturing our characters
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Pentecost 8(B) 15 July 2018 Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in words. Words…
Not without honour
Pentecost 7B Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 8 July 2018 In this week’s gospel passage Jesus goes home to Nazareth.…
The book that disrupts
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (B) Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton 1 July 2018 We are now about halfway through our…
The Song of the Bow
In many Christian communities around the world this coming weekend, the first reading will include this ancient Hebrew lament, The…
Marking Jesus: True kinship
Pentecost 3B Christ Church Cathedral 10 June 2018 Have you ever imagined what it might have been like to…
Harvest of divine love
Pentecost Sunday Christ Church Cathedral 20 May 2018 Today we are in an interesting space, a liminal space of…
Easter—day #50
Reflections for Pentecost Sunday’s bulletin … Today we are observing Pentecost Sunday. This is a holy day with ancient roots…
Ecumenism: journey, pilgrimage and challenge
Easter 7(B) 13 May 2018 Christ Church Cathedral The ten days between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday are…
Making meaning out of the cross
My 2018 Good Friday sermon seems to have attracted rather more attention, and to have triggered much more conversation, than…
Life embedded in love
Easter 5(B) Christ Church Cathedral Grafton 29 April 2018 As best I can recall, my very first Sunday reflection…
Earthlings first and last
Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton Earth Sunday 2018 22 April 2018 Today we have an opportunity to reflect on the…
A letter to my critics
It seems that my 2018 Good Friday sermon has attracted more interest among a wider circle of people than I…
Better than silver or gold
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Third Sunday of Easter 15 April 2018 During these great fifty days after Easter the…
Witnesses to transformation
Easter Day Christ Church Cathedral 1 April 2018 Our second reading for this liturgy is from Paul’s first letter…
When words fail …
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Lent 5 (B) 18 March 2018 This week the Sunday lectionary offers us three serves…
The cleansing of the church
Lent 3 (B) Christ Church Cathedral Grafton 4 March 2018 The lectionary today switches us across to a series…
Amazing grace
Ordination of Chad Rynehart Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School Chapel 24 February 2018 May these words be spoken and heard…
Turning towards life
Lent 1 (B) Christ Church Cathedral 18 February 2018 Turning to life On the first Sunday of Lent you…
The stories that define us
In his daily meditation for this past Sunday, Richard Rohr correctly invites us to embrace the concept of original blessing…
Transfiguration … transformation … ministry
Christ Church Cathedral Last Sunday after the Epiphany 11 February 2018 The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is…
Discernment … wisdom … conversion
Discernment Synod Eucharist Diocese of Grafton 4 February 2018 Here today we begin the process of discerning the person…
Dean of Grafton
Text of the response by the Eighth Dean of Grafton to the community welcome at the conclusion of the installation…
Rainbow faith in an ancient land
Australia Day Service Grafton Cathedral 28 January 2018 Over this holiday weekend it is timely to reflect on what it…
The God who goes fishing
180121 Epiphany 3B Christ Church Cathedral Grafton On this third Sunday after the Epiphany, as we are invited to…
Jesus the Jewish religious progressive
Baptism of the Lord Christ Church Cathedral 7 January 2018 [Video of the sermon from 8.00 am service] May the…
Peace to those who are far off
Midnight Mass Christ Church Cathedral 24 December 2017 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born…
Hark! A herald’s voice is calling
Advent 3 (B) 17 December 2017 Christ Church Cathedral It had been my intention to speak about John…
Anointed with the spirit of the LORD
Reflections on the first reading for the Third Sunday of Advent … Today’s lectionary offers us a rich set of…
Christ the King
Feast of Christ the King Christ Church Cathedral 26 November 2017 Today is our day: the feast of Christ…
Grace upon grace
In the months between the diagnosis of an aggressive bladder cancer and my discharge from hospital this morning, I have…
The Mind of Christ: Peace and Joy
Christ Church Cathedral Pentecost 19(A) 15 October 2017 The Mind of Christ, 4: Peace and Joy Background | Chapter…
The Mind of Christ: Faithfulness
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Pentecost 18 (A) 8 October 2017 This week our series of passages from Paul’s letter to…
The Mind of Christ: Humility
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Pentecost 17 (A) 1 October 2017 Video of this sermon is now available online. This…
The Mind of Christ: Compassion
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton Pentecost 16A 24 September 2017 Introduction [A video of one iteration of this sermon is…
Four Sundays with Philippians
A Congregational Companion IMAGE: Our earliest copy of this letter: Papyrus 16 – Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1009 – Cairo Egyptian Museum…
Lady Cancer, Holy Sophia
Three weeks have now passed since my urologist visited my hospital bed to share with me the results of the…
Dreams, nightmares and well-being
Pentecost 10 (A) 13 August 2017 Byron Bay Anglican Parish The readings set for today invite us to explore corners…
Treasure, Pearls, Fish and Scholars
Pentecost 8 (A) 30 July 2017 Byron Bay We have four more parables this Sunday as we complete our…
Feral weeds and rotting yeast
Pentecost 7 (A) 23 July 2017 Byron Bay & Broken Head Today’s readings offer us another serve of Jesus as…
Comfortable words, challenging words
Pentecost 5A 9 July 2017 Byron Bay The readings set for today each have their own logic, but taken…
An unacceptable tale
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (A) Byron Bay & Ewingsdale 2 July 2017 As you may guess, by choosing to offer…
Losing life, finding life
Third Sunday after Pentecost (A) Byron Bay & Broken Head 25 June 2017 This week’s lectionary texts invite us…
Communities of the Triune God
Trinity Sunday (A) 11 June 2017 Byron Bay As we transition from the Great Fifty Days of Easter to…
Jesus people, Spirit people
Pentecost Sunday 4 June 2017 Byron Bay On this fiftieth day after Easter we conclude our ‘week of weeks’ during…
Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Grafton
Bishop Sarah Macneil, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, has announced that the Reverend Canon Dr Gregory C. Jenks…
Good News for all of life
Easter 7 (A) 28 May 2017 St Paul’s Church, Byron Bay St Oswald’s Church, Broken Head This morning we…
Oasis of shalom
Easter 6 (A) 21 May 2017 St Paul’s Anglican Church Byron Bay This morning we continue our series of sermons…
Confident faith in a post-Christian world
Reflections for a diocesan clergy retreat Cathedral of Christ the King, Grafton (17 May 2017) In the context of this clergy…
Thin places and deep wells
Easter 5A (14 May 2017) St Paul’s Church, Byron Bay This is the third sermon in our mini series looking…
People of the Book
Easter 4A 7 May 2017 St Paul’s Church, Byron Bay St Columba’s Church, Ewingsdale This is the second in a…
Spiritual confidence
23 April 2017 Second Sunday of Easter St Paul’s Anglican Church Byron Bay My usual practice is to preach on…
Through resurrection eyes
16 April 2017 Easter Eucharist St Pauls’ Church, Byron Bay THIS past week we have walked the road to Calvary: Palm…
None left behind
15 April 2017 Easter Eve Vigil Eucharist St Oswald’s Church, Broken Head TONIGHT we begin our Easter celebrations. they will stretch…
Christ has died
Good Friday 14 April 2017 Byron Bay Today we gather to commemorate the death of Jesus: most likely on…
Breaking bread, sharing a cup
Maundy Thursday 13 April 2017 Byron Bay A small group of people are gathered in an upstairs room in a…
Different drum beats
Palm Sunday (Year A) St Paul’s Anglican Church, Byron Bay 9 April 2017 Well, here we are … With Christians…
Turning towards the cross
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A) St Paul’s Church, Byron Bay St Oswald’s Church, Ewingsdale Today we enter the holiest…
None so blind …
St Paul’s Anglican Church, Byron Bay St Oswald’s Church, Broken Head FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT 26 March 2017 Introduction Well,…
A Sermon at the Well
Second Sunday of Lent, Year A (19 March 2017) St Paul’s Anglican Church, Byron Bay It is not often we…
The ‘First Peoples’ of Palestine
In a recent op ed piece for the Australian Financial Review, Nyunggai Warren Mundine has suggested that the Jewish people…
Romulus and Remus coin
A coin which Ibrahim Abu Rakbeh (from St George’s Bazaar across from the College in Nablus Road) recently asked me to read for…
2017 Bible and Archaeology Study Tour
For those interested in a three week study tour with a focus on the Bible and archaeology, here are some…
A sermon for St Andrew’s Day
Andrew of Bethsaida, the ‘first-called’ A sermon preached at St Andrew’s Theological Seminary, Manila on St Andrew’s Day, 2016. Introduction…
Saying YES to God
A sermon for the Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cathedral Church of St George…
The Eternal Dance of Love and Fear
A sermon at the Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr, Jerusalem on Maundy Thursday, 24 March 2016. Our paschal…
The God who Reconciles
the followers of Jesus came to see the cross as an action in which God reconciled the world to himself.
A Christian theology of Jewish presence
The first reading for this Second Sunday after Christmas is Jeremiah 31:7–14: For thus says the LORD: Sing aloud with…
A Palestinian Jesus
A recent report in Haaretz has highlighted a controversy in Australia about the Palestinian identity of Jesus of Nazareth. The…
Advent Sunday | Christ the King
A lecture presented in the Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr, Jerusalem on Advent Sunday, 29 November 2015 by…
Re-imagining Luke
Luke rescued Paul from Marcion and promoted a vision of Christianity that valued its Jewish past while claiming a place…
Baptism Homily at Qasr al Yahud
A brief sermon at Qasr al-Yahud, the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus, on the occasion of the baptism…
Chosen? Reading the Bible in the context of Israel-Palestine
This evening I settled down to read this short book, really more of an essay, by the esteemed biblical scholar,…
Seeking Holy Wisdom
As followers of Jesus we can get by without the answers to life's questions, and flourish in a world—and a…
Three Days with Paul in Northern Greece
Over three successive mornings this week, it will be my privilege to lead the Anglican clergy from the Province of…
St George’s College Jerusalem
The Most Reverend Suheil Dawani, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle…
Burial or Cremation in Christian Funerary Rites
Recently I was asked for my opinion on the question of burial or cremation as the more appropriate process for…
A boundary crossing God
A GOD WHO CROSSES THE BOUNDARIES A sermon for the third Sunday after the Epiphany (25 January 2015) at St Luke’s…
The final lectionary notes
Friends: The lectionary notes just published for the Feast of Christ the King (23 November 2014) will be the last…
Christ the King (23 November 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Reign of Christ — Judgment Day 2.1 Jewish parallels 2.2 Critical scholarship 2.3 Tolstoy, Where…
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost (16 November 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Waiting for God’s son from heaven 2.1 The parousia of the Lord 2.2 Like a thief…
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost (9 November 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Renewing the covenant 3 1 Thessalonans 4: Facing death as Easter people 3.1 Robert…
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost (2 November 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Thessalonica in the time of Paul 2.1 Location 2.2 History 2.3 Population and religion 3 Diatribe…
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (25 October 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Death of Moses 3 Second Reading: Church as religious club 3.1 Collegia and Koina…
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (19 October 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Close encounters of the divine kind 3 Second Reading: Paul to the Thessalonians 3.1…
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (12 October 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Kissing calves 3 Gospel: The Feast 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions…
Jesus and the divine presence
Notes for a presentation to a symposium on the ‘Divine Presence’ at the Worship Centre, Murdoch University, Perth on Thursday,…
Personal reflections on safety by a frequent visitor to Israel
It is natural — and very understandable — that people would have some concerns about travel to the Middle East,…
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (5 October 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The Decalogue 2.1 Five + Five 2.2 The heart of torah 3 Gospel: The…
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (28 September 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: The two sons 2.1 Textual questions 3 Traditional Jewish wisdom or distinctive Jesus traditions 4…
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (21 September 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: Pay them all the same! 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions…
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (14 September 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Exodus Paradigm of salvation (for some) 2.1 History and miracle 2.2 Exodus and history 3 Gospel:…
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (7 September 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Season of Creation 3 Gospel: Jesus and the Rabbinic tradition 3.1 Rabbinic parallels 3.2 Jesus Seminar…
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (31 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Theophany at Sinai 2.1 Martin Buber 2.2 Nahum Sarna 2.3 W. G. Plaut 3…
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (24 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The birth of a saviour, Moses 3 Gospel: Who is Jesus 4 Jesus Database…
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (17 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: Distant Girl Cured 2.1 Horizontal Line Synopsis 2.2 John P. Meier 2.3 Jesus Seminar 2.4…
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (10 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Jesus and the stormy sea 3 Ancient near eastern traditions 4 The cosmic waters in the…
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (3 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: Bread and fish 2.1 1 Corinthians 15:6 2.2 John 6:1-15 2.3 Mark 6:33-44 and 8:1-10…
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (27 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: More parables from Matthew 2.1 Mustard Seed 2.2 The Leaven 2.3 The Treasure 2.4 The…
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (20 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Parables — Matthew 13 (continued) 3 The Planted Weeds 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Fifteen
Today we completed our Palestine of Jesus course at St George’s College in Jerusalem. It has been a fascinating two…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Fourteen
Today the focus of the Palestine of Jesus course has been on the events of Holy Week, as we visited…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Thirteen
This morning the participants in our Palestine of Jesus course had an extended opportunity to soak up the special places…
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (13 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The twin sons of Isaac: Esau and Jacob 3 Gospel: Jesus and the Parables 3.1 First…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Twelve
Today was a time to focus on the Galilean context of the ministry of Jesus, exploring the social and political…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Eleven
The SGC Palestine of Jesus course relocated from Jerusalem to the Galilee today. This was always planned at this point…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Ten
Friday, July 4. American Independence Day. The first Friday of Ramadan 2014. Heavy security presence in and around Jerusalem. A…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Nine
With the current high level of tensions in Jerusalem and the other occupied Palestinian territories following recent abductions and murders, the…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Eight
Today marks the beginning of a brief interlude during which time I will miss about three days of the Palestine…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Seven
Today was an optional day in the program. We visited Masada and Qumran, and had an opportunity for a ‘swim’…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Six
Today it was my delight to lead the course during our visit to Sepphoris and Nazareth. We led the College…
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (6 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Isaac: The In-Between Ancestor 3 Finding a wife for Isaac 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and…
Palestine of Jesus 2024 – Day Five
Sunday in Jerusalem. Most of the SGC Palestine of Jesus course attended the 9.30am service at St George’s cathedral, with…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Four
The focus of the Palestine of Jesus course today was on Jesus and John the Baptist, and especially on the…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Three
Today the focus was very much on the infancy traditions, as the course seeks—so far as possible—to follow the natural…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Two
Today the course at St George’s College in Jerusalem really swung into gear. We have about 33 people on the…
Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day One
Today we completed our Jordan package and began our Palestine of Jesus course at St George’s College in Jerusalem. The…
Jordan 2014 – Day Four
The title for this post is a little confusing since we spent most of the day in southern Israel, but…
Jordan 2014 – Day Three
Today saw us move from the rugged mountains of Petra, through the austere desert landscape of the Wadi Rum, to…
Third Sunday after Pentecost (29 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Abraham offers his son as a human sacrifice 3 The story of the Akedah 4 The…
Jordan 2014 – Day Two
Today was spent exploring the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. We spent from 9.00am to 5.00pm enjoying the sights and…
Jordan 2014 – Day One
Today (Saturday) we said goodbye to Hakuk Balev as we left Galilee to begin our few days of travelling in…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Thirteen
Today was our final day on the dig at Bethsaida for the middle session this year. There were no major…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Twelve
Today was our hottest day so far, and very humid—with more of the same and then some predicted for tomorrow.…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Eleven
Today—Wednesday in our second week at Bethsaida—there was a tangible sense of sadness that so much will remain incomplete when…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Ten
In Area T today we made amazing progress, and found something we had not dared to anticipate. As we cleared…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Nine
We were back on the dig today, and at least in Area T there was a significant amount of dirt…
Second Sunday after Pentecost (22 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Abraham expels Hagar and Ishmael 4 Second Reading: Buried with Christ in…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Eight
Today—our second Sunday in the Galilee—was planned as a less intense day. We began by making a short visit to…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Seven
We spent today in Nazareth. What a deep blessing to be back here with a bunch of new friends to show…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Six
Today the energy levels were high and the winds were less blustery, so we were set for a good day…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Five
Our fifth day since arriving in Israel, and our third day on the tools at the Bethsaida archaeology project. Despite strong…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Four
Today in Area T work continued on the new square that we marked out yesterday. This photo from last year…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Three
Today was our first regular day on the dig at Bethsaida. Work resumed in Area A South (Iron Age remains south…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day Two
Today was a gentle way to begin the middle session of the 2014 season. Rather than leave on the bus…
Bethsaida 2014 – Day One
After a mostly—and happily—uneventful flight from various Australian cities via Dubai and Amman, the 12 people in this year’s Bethsaida…
Trinity Sunday (15 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Crossan on Trinitarian Structures in Religion 4 Praying and Living the Trinity 5 Jesus…
Pentecost (8 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Pentecost in the New Testament 4 Jesus and the Spirit 5 Jesus Database 6…
Easter 7A (1 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Jesus ascends to the Father 3 Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 4…
Jesus Then and Jesus Now: A Sermon
Introduction[1] Audio of the sermon at the 5.00pm Mass Opening Prayer Jesus, son of Mary, you come among us as…
The Human Jesus
[An extract from my recent book, Jesus Then and Jesus Now: Looking for Jesus, Finding Ourselves. Melbourne: Mosaic Press, 2014), pp.…
Easter 6A (25 May 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Paul proclaims the resurrection to the Athenians 3 Second Reading: Christ preaches to the…
Easter 5A (18 May 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Acts 7:55-60 3 Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10 4 Gospel of John 4.1 Insiders…
Easter 4A (11 May 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Acts 2:42-47 3 Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25 4 Gospel: Searching for the words…
Easter 3A (4 May 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The response of the crowd 3 Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23 4 Gospel: On…
Snowstar 2014 Annual Conference
Over the last few days I have had the privilege and the pleasure of presenting several sessions at the 2014 annual…
Easter 2A (27 April 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Easter in the lectionary 3 Peter’s Pentecost sermon in Acts 2 4 Second Reading: The First…
Holy Week and Easter 2014
Introduction The traditions associated with Holy Week and Easter lie at the heart of the Christian faith dealing, as they…
Lent 6A | Palm Sunday (13 April 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionaries 2 Introduction 3 Perspectives 3.1 The Greek hero myth 3.2 The Innocent Victim 3.3 Biblical Interpretation 3.4…
Lent 5A (6 April 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Life beyond Death: Questions and Assumptions 3 An Inventory of Raised Persons? 4 Jesus and the…
Jesus Then and Jesus Now
Please join us for this event as we celebrate the publication of my latest book: Jesus Then and Jesus Now: Looking…
A birth certificate for Jesus
A Birth Certificate for Jesus This is a pre-publication extract from Gregory C. Jenks, Jesus Then and Jesus Now: Looking…
Lent 4A (30 March 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Fourth Sunday of Lent 3 First Reading: David is anointed as king 3.1 Historical perspectives…
Lent 3A (23 March 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Wells as Sacred Places 3 Moses and the miraculous rock 4 Jesus the true well-spring 5…
Lent 2A (16 March 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Abraham, agent of blessing to the nations 3 Second Reading: Abraham, ancestor of those…
Lent 1A (9 March 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Jesus Tempted 4 The Testing of Abraham 4.1 Jubilees 17 4.2 Sirach 44 4.3…
Jewish Biblical Scholarship
Contemporary biblical scholarship is mostly non-confessional. In other words, critical scholars are open to insights from all qualified contributors, irrespective of…
Last Sunday after Epiphany (2 March 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18 4 While we were with him on the holy mountain:…
Epiphany 7A (23 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Holy perfection, perfect holiness 3 First Reading: Leviticus and the love of neighbour 4 Gospel:…
Epiphany 6A (16 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 4 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 5 Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37…
Preaching the Old Testament
A sermon by Dr Anthony Rees for the ‘Debate the Preacher’ series at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane on Sunday, 9…
Epiphany 5A (9 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary…
Why bother with the Old Testament
A sermon for the ‘Debate the Preacher’ series at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane on Sunday, 2 February 2014. It…
Epiphany 4A (2 February 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: What does the Lord require? 4 Second Reading: The foolishness of God…
Epiphany 3A (26 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Galilee of the nations 3 Second Reading: Unity that transcends factions 4 Gospel: Jesus…
Epiphany 2A (19 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Epiphany Cycle 3 John’s disciples find Jesus 3.1 John the Baptist in the Gospel of…
The Occupation of the Bible
Wednesday, 20 November, 1100–1230 Text for an introductory presentation to a panel at the Ninth International Sabeel Conference, Jerusalem on…
First Sunday after Epiphany (12 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Isaiah 42 4 Second reading: Acts 10 5 Gospel: John baptizes Jesus…
Why visit Israel and Palestine?
Yesterday I was asked by a journalist for a couple of lines about why I visit Israel so often, and…
2013 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at…
Jesus Database Financial Appeal
The Jesus Database is a collaborative online resource for historical Jesus research and to explore new ways of celebrating the meaning of…
Closure of FaithFutures Foundation
A brief note to advise that the papers have recently been filed to wind-up FaithFutures Foundation which has been registered…
Epiphany of the Lord Jesus (6 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Commentary and Critical Notes 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions…
Second Sunday after Christmas (5 January 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Alternative First Reading: Sirach 24:1-12 4 Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 5 Gospel: John 1:1-18…
Sunday after Christmas (29 December 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Herod threatens the Christ Child 2.1 Danger for baby Sargon 2.2 Romulus and Remus 2.3 The…
Reflections from Palestine
Reflections from Palestine: A Journey of Hope. A memoir by Samia Nasir Khoury. Nicosia, Cyprus: Rimal Publications, 2014. ISBN 978-9963-715-11-4…
Fourth Sunday of Advent (22 December 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Birth of the Messiah (Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth) 3 The birth of Moses in…
Third Sunday of Advent (15 December 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 John the Baptist in the Sayings Gospel Q 2.1 The Messianic Signs 2.2 Blessed is the…
Second Sunday of Advent (8 December 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 John the Baptist 2.1 John in the Jesus Tradition 2.2 John the Baptist in the Gospel…
Salah al-Din coins at Bethsaida
Some news about the two Islamic coins recovered from Area T at Bethsaida in 2012. Yesterday I met with Ariel…
First Sunday of Advent (1 December 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Beginning the Year of Matthew 2.1 Common Synoptic Outline 2.2 Materials unique to Matthew 3 Jesus…
Does the Bible have a future?
Thursday, 21 November, 0900–1030 Text for an introductory presentation to a panel at the Ninth International Sabeel Conference, Jerusalem on…
Last Sunday after Pentecost (Reign of Christ) (24 November 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Jesus Crucified 2.1 Mark 15:22-38 = Matt 27:33-51a = Luke 23:32-46 2.2 Luke’s account of the…
Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (17 November 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Good news for this side of death 3 Gospel: Jesus and the Temple 4 Jesus Database…
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost (10 November 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: The Sadducees 3 The NT and the Sadducees 4 Flavius Josephus 4.1 Life 4.2 Wars…
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost (3 November 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Habakkuk 3 Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 4 Gospel: Jesus and Zaccheus 5 Jesus Database…
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost (27 October 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Joel: Dreaming of a better time 3 Second Reading: Pseudo Paul and the Parchments 4 Gospel:…
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (20 October 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: A new covenant 3 Second Reading: The sacred tradition 4 Gospel: The unjust judge…
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (13 October 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Letter to the exiles 3 Second Reading: Formulae for faithful living 4 Gospel: Jesus…
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (6 October 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Lamenting the fall of Zion 3 Second Reading: Invoking the legacy of Paul 4…
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (29 September 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Riches and Reversal 3 Interfaith parallels 3.1 Rabbinic sources 3.2 Muslim sources 4 Gospel: Lazarus…
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (22 September 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: The Shrewd Manager 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Jeremiah…
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (15 September 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Gospel: God has a table … 3.1 Eating with Sinners (Luke 15:1-2) 3.2 The…
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (8 September 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First reading: The potter and the clay 3 Second reading: Philemon 4 Gospel: The Cost of…
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (1 September 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First reading: Cracked cisterns 3 Gospel: Table and Kingdom 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers…
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (25 August 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Jeremiah 3 Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29 4 Gospel: Jesus heals a crippled woman on…
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (18 August 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The vineyard of the Lord 3 Second Reading: Exemplars and encouragers 4 Gospel: Jesus,…
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (11 August 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Isaiah 3 Second Reading: Letter to the Hebrews 4 Gospel: Travel light on the…
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (4 August 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Hosea 11:1-11 3 Second Reading: Colossian 3:1-11 4 Gospel: Luke 12 4.1 The disputed…
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (28 July 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Hosea 1 3 Second Reading: Colossians 4 Gospel: Jesus’ teaching on prayer 5 Jesus…
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost C (21 July 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: Jesus, Women and Discipleship 2.1 Dennis Nineham 2.2 John P. Meier 2.3 Kathleen Corley 3…
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost C (14 July 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Amos 7 3 Second Reading: Colossians 4 Gospel: The good Samaritan 4.1 John Dominc…
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost C (7 July 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Kings and prophets in Israel and Syria 3 Second Reading: See what large letters…
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost C (30 June 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The ascension of Elijah 3 Second Reading: The fruit of the Spirit 4 Gospel:…
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost C (23 June 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The still small voice 3 Second Reading: Humanity beyond difference and status 4 Gospel:…
Study Leave—Week Twelve
This week marks the official end of my study leave, although I will be in Israel for another three weeks…
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost C (16 June 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Ahab and the vineyard of Naboth 3 Second Reading: The faith of Jesus saves…
Motion 16
At the next session of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane in a few weeks time, the following motion…
Study Leave—Week Eleven
This has been the second last week of my period of study leave. It has been a time for drawing…
Third Sunday after Pentecost (9 June 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: The prophet heals a dead child 4 Second Reading: Paul’s gospel 5…
Study Leave—Week Ten
After two weeks of annual leave—during which time I was travelling in Ireland, France and Germany—I have now been back…
Progressive Anglicans
It is surely ironic that the same weekend as I published a set of lectionary notes in which I call…
Pentecost 2C (2 June 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Elijah and the prophets of Baal 4 Second Reading: Galatians 1:1-12 5…
Trinity Sunday (26 May 2013)
The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity has been observed in the Western (Latin) Church only since the edict of…
Pentecost (19 May 2013)
The origins of this festival go back into ancient biblical times, and beyond. On one level the festival is simply…
Easter 7C (12 May 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Adventures in Philippi 4 Gospel: Jesus prays for his followers 5 Jesus…
Study Leave—Week Nine
Nine weeks have now passed since I arrived in Israel for my study leave, and Easter is here again as…
Easter 6C (5 May 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Jesus and the Spirit 3 John: The Community of the Spirit 4 Jesus and the…
Study Leave—Week Eight
This week began with some unseasonal rain, including thunder and lightning through much of Saturday here in Tiberias. The drop…
Easter 5C (28 April 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: The New (and greatest?) Commandment 3 The New Commandment in the New Testament 3.1 Stratum…
Study Leave—Week Seven
The past week has been dominated by writing, but I guess that is one of the reasons for study leave?…
Easter 4C (21 April 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: The Good Shepherd 3 Hebrew Scriptures 3.1 Genesis 3.2 Numbers 3.3 2 Samuel 3.4 1…
Study Leave—Week Six
The past week has been a delightful mix of experiences. The week began and ended with new chapters being completed.…
Easter 3C (14 April 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Acts 9: Paul’s encounter with the Risen Lord 3 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…
Study Leave—Week Five
This has been a quieter week in some ways, but quite a productive one as well. The weekend part of…
The myth of final security
Jesus may have seemed not much more than an irritation to the Roman rulers. How wrong they were. Just yesterday…
Easter 2C (7 April 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Obedience to God comes first 4 Second Reading: The coming One 5…
Study Leave — Week Four
It is hard to believe, but already I have been in Israel four weeks. That time has certainly gone by…
Easter Day (31 March 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionaries 2 Introduction 3 Jesus Database 4 Jesus Seminar Voting Data 5 The Once and Future Bible: Easter…
Study Leave — Week Three
Tiberias, Israel Friday, 22 March 2013 It is now three weeks since I arrived in Israel for my sabbatical, and…
Palm Sunday (24 March 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionaries 2 Introduction 3 Perspectives 3.1 The Greek hero myth 3.2 The Innocent Victim 3.3 Biblical Interpretation 3.4…
Study Leave — Week Two
After the excitement of the first week—with my arrival in Israel, settling into the house and the first trip to…
Lent 5C (17 March 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Remember not the former things 3 Second Reading: Paul’s personal quest 4 Gospel: A…
Study Leave – Week One
Having been in Israel now for just over a week it may be good to reflect on the first week…
Lent 4C (10 March 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 A Man had Two Sons 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary…
Bethsaida Study Leave
In a couple of day’s time I will begin an extended period of time in Israel during a combination of…
Lent 3C (3 March 20143)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Josephus on Pontius Pilate 3.1 Pilate and the Jews 3.2 Pilate and the Samaritans…
Lent 2C (24 February 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Jesus and the Jerusalem Temple 2.1 Josephus, Jewish War 6.300-305 2.2 Marcus J. Borg 2.3 John…
Lent 1C (17 February 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Times and Seasons 3 Jesus Tempted Three Times 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers…
The Once and Future Scriptures
The Once and Future Scriptures: Exploring the Role of the Bible in the Contemporary Church. Edited by Gregory C. Jenks | Foreword…
Transfiguration Sunday (10 February 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction: Transfiguration Sunday 3 Transfiguration: the Underlying Tradition 4 Comments 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and…
Epiphany 4C (3 February 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Ancient Nazareth 4 Nazareth in the New Testament 4.1 Infancy and Childhood 4.2 Jesus…
Epiphany 3C (27 January 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Jesus first day at work 4 Jesus according to Luke 5 Liturgies and Prayers…
Epiphany 2C (20 January 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Jesus in the Epiphany Cycle, Year C 4 Miraculous wine at a wedding in…
An (un)Common Book of Hours
Peter Watkins has edited a set of reflections based around the weekday and Sunday readings from the Revised Common Lectionary…
The Baptism of the Lord (13 January 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 The baptism of Jesus in early Christian tradition 4 Commentary 5 Jesus Database 6…
Re-dating the Galilean synagogues
Interesting to see Jodi Magness is now arguing that the Galilean type synagogue was not developed until a couple of…
The Epiphany of the Lord (6 January 2013)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 Commentary and Critical Notes 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions…
Christmas 1C—Feast of the Holy Family (30 December 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Childhood and Family of Jesus 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions…
Advent 4C (23 December 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Overview 3 Categories of Birth Stories 4 Major Sources for the Birth Stories of Jesus 4.1…
Advent 3C (16 December 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20 4 Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 5 Gospel: John and Jesus…
Advent 2C (9 December 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The Forerunner 3 Second Reading: The Day of Christ 4 Gospel: John the Baptiser…
Advent 1C (2 December 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction – Celebrating the One Who Comes 3 First Reading: The days are surely coming ……
Pentecost 26B (Reign of Christ) (25 November 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 What kind of kingdom? What kind of king? 3 First Reading: A davidic model? 4 Second…
Insignificant God
A prayer for Tuesday in Holy Week Mysterious, pervasive and persuasive God, ever present in our lives, yet seemingly insignificant…
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
A prayer for the Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for…
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Psalm 122:6 calls upon people of faith to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Like me, I am sure you…
Pentecost 25B (18 November 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Birth of Samuel 2.1 Daniel 12 3 Second Reading: Jesus the eternal high priest…
Pentecost 24B (11 November 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Ruth and Boaz 2.1 The Widow of Zarephath 3 Second Reading: Jesus – eternal…
All Saints and All Souls
Following a request as to whether I have any lectionary materials for All Saints and All Souls, which many parishes…
Pentecost 23B (4 November 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Ruth 3 Deuteronomy 6 – the Shema 4 Second Reading: Jesus as priest 5…
Pentecost 22B (28 October 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Job’s fortunes restored 3 Second Reading: Jesus as priest 4 Gospel: Blind Bartimaeus 5…
Pentecost 21B (21 October 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: God replies to Job 2.1 Suffering Servant 3 Second Reading: A high priest in…
A faith worth sharing
During the past week some friends on Facebook were discussing the advertisements that St Francis Theological College in Brisbane has…
2013 Sabeel Global Young Adults Festival
A number of people coming to Bethsaida in 2013 are thinking about participating in the Sabeel International Young Adults…
Pentecost 20B (14 October 2012)
Contents [hide] 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Wisdom from Job 2.1 Amos 5 2.2 Wisdom of Solomon 7 3 Second…
Pentecost 19B (7 October 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Job 2.1 Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh … 3 Second…
Pentecost 18B (30 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Esther 2.1 Alternative first reading: Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29 3 Second Reading: James 5:13-20 4 Gospel:…
Wife of Jesus papyrus fragment
The September 18 story from the New York Times about a papyrus fragment in which Jesus refers to someone (presumably…
Pentecost 17B (23 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Wisdom, the perfect life partner 2.1 The Innocent Victim 3 Second Reading: Wisdom from…
2013 Bethsaida Holy Land Study Tour
This afternoon I have received the final costs for the 2013 Bethsaida tour. The program has been arranged in two…
Pentecost 16B (16 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Lady Wisdom, the divine Sophia 4 Second Reading: Wisdom beyond doctrine 5…
Wrongly dividing the word of truth
Recently I have come across a classic mis-use (and misrepresentation) of the Bible by those who claim to be its…
Pentecost 15B (9 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Rich and poor have this in common 4 Second Reading: A bias…
Why historical Jesus research matters
An extract from an essay I have just completed for a forthcoming collection edited my colleague, J. Harold Ellens: I…
Pentecost 14B (02 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Song of Solomon 4 Second Reading: Christian wisdom 5 Gospel: Jesus and…
Taking the Bible seriously, but not literally
[A sermon preached at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane at Evensong, on Sunday, 26 August 2012.] Anglicans have a long…
Pentecost 13B (26 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Solomon dedicates the Temple 4 Second Reading: Engaged in a Cosmic Conflict…
Pentecost 12B (19 August 2012)
Contents 1 Introduction 2 First Reading: Solomon succeeds David 3 Second Reading: Drink the wine that God provides 4 Gospel:…
Pentecost 11B (12 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: The death of Absalom 3 Second Reading: Holy living 4 Gospel: Glimpses of a…
Pentecost 10B (5 August 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading 3 Second Reading 4 Gospel 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Music…
Pentecost 9B (29 July 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: David as sacred hero and sexual predator 4 Second Reading: Filled with…
Pentecost 8B (22 July 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: A royal House for David 4 Second Reading: A post-ethnic phenomenon 5…
Pentecost 7B (15 July 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Putting God in his place 4 Second Reading: A letter to the…
Bethsaida 2013
For anyone interested in joining the 2013 Bethsaida excavations program, including additional days in Jerusalem and Jordan, the preliminary details…
Photos of special finds – Bethsaida 2012
The Bethsaida project photographer, Hanan Shafir, has posted a set of images of people posing with the special objects they…
Pentecost 6B (8 July 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: David becomes king of All-Israel 4 Second Reading: Paul’s religious experience 5…
Pentecost 5B (1 July 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: 2 Samuel 1 – David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan 3 Second…
Pentecost 4B (24 June 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: David kills Goliath in battle 4 Second Reading: Paul recounts his hardships…
Trends in Theological Education at SFC 1975-2010
Trends in Theological Education at SFC 1975-2010“Trends in Theological Education at St Francis Theological College, Brisbane (1975–2010): A Participant-Observer report.” in From…
A Tale of Two Cities
This recent article in Popular Archaeology gives a pretty good account of the volunteer experience, as well as a summary of…
Pentecost 3B (17 June 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Samuel anoints David 3 Second Reading: Paul’s compulsion to share the Good News 4…
Official Bethsaida Photos – 2012 week one
Official Bethsaida Photos - 2012 week oneA brief report, together with selected photos, fromthe first week of the official 2012…
Pentecost 2B (10 June 2012)
This page is part of the Lectionary series within the Living with Jesus Now project. Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Beware of kings 4 Second…
Hello world!
Well, I have finally set up a blog page at WordPress.com! I hope this site will serve as a convenient gateway…
