Rev'd Up for Sunday

Jesus wants us to be pious...but in secret? Peter Walsh is joined by Rob Schwartz, St. Mark's Digital Missioner, for a special Ash Wednesday episode. They unpack Jesus' advice in Matthew's Gospel and discuss how our religious practices can become a way to look good in front of others rather than to connect with God. The discussion also inspires Rob to share some of his own thoughts...

It's the Transfiguration and the question of Jesus' identity has reached a fever pitch ! Peter Walsh and John Kennedy explain how this serves as a resurrection scene before the resurrection, how Jesus' prayer life was formative to who he was, and what is so unique about Luke's version of this story. Plus, Peter shares a story of being stunned into silence by an encounter with h...

Continuing with the sermon on the plain, we get what may be Jesus' most practical advice. Peter Walsh and John Kennedy discuss what we need from our "divine physician", what it means to set ourselves apart from the ways of the world, and how imitating Christ is imitating God. Plus, Peter shares a powerful story about the freedom that comes from no longer judging others (while still...

Jesus' sermon on the plain reveals blessings for some people and woes for others. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy talk about how this message lifts up the lowly and unknown, what makes Jesus a universal man of the people, and how we can emulate God's mercy. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week's Gospel lesson is all about catching fish and calling people. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss the themes of calling those who feel unworthy, coming into contact with the divine, and having the humility to listen. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

What begins with the story of baby Jesus' presentation in the temple turns into a discussion filled with hidden meanings, dire predictions, and prophetic moments. Peter Walsh and John Kennedy highlight the unspoken comparisons between Jesus and other rules, what we learn about Mary and Joseph, and how this story characterizes Jesus as the new Samuel. Also, find out two of Peter's pet pee...

In today's Gospel text, Jesus offers a shocking interpretation of Isaiah when teaching in his hometown. Elizabeth Garnsey and Rob Schwartz discuss the significance of the passages Jesus chose to read, what it says about him and his ministry, and how it signals a message of good news for everyone. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine might make him a hit at parties but do we get distracted from what it's really pointing to? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss the symbolism of the bridegroom, the role of wisdom, and whether Jesus is being rude to his mother. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

It's baptism day for Jesus and John the Baptist wants people to understand who's really the messiah. This week, Peter Walsh and John Kennedy discuss the initiation of Jesus' public ministry and the importance of cultivating a prayer life for ourselves. Also, did the Holy Spirit actually take the form of a dove? Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

12-year-old Jesus has gone missing and his parents are on a 3-day hunt to find him! Rob Schwartz, St. Mark's Digitial Missioner, joins Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy for a dive into this rare glimpse of Jesus' childhood. How does this story foreshadow his death & resurrection, what does this highlight about his future as a teacher, and what do other faith traditions...

This week, John's Gospel shines a mystical lens on Jesus. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy explain why this divine, cosmic perspective matters, contemplate the life and experiences of the Gospel's author, and share different takes on what it means to call Jesus "the Word".  Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Is Luke's account of Jesus' birth one of the most over-interpreted passages ever or have we actually glossed over the details? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy explain how we often miss or ignore the political nature of this story, how it highlights Luke's theme of reversal, and how many of the details we assume about Jesus' birth are incorrect. Learn more about...

As Advent comes to a close, our focus shifts to Mary and Elizabeth, two women we don't talk about nearly enough. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy talk about the Old Testament connections to Elizabeth and Mary's songs of joy, dive into their mystical experiences, and highlight Mary's radical proclamation. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaa...

We're sticking with John the Baptist for one more week and this time his words are a mix of warnings and advice. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy explain why some of this passage's dark language is actually a good thing and caution how poor interpretation of it can shackle people. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week, John the Baptist is calling everyone back to the wilderness to repent. Peter Walsh, John Kennedy, and Elizabeth Garnsey examine how John the Baptist still challenges us to turn from our current habits and live an authentic life. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

In this week's Gospel lesson, Jesus has some dire predictions...but he also doesn't want us to worry about it. As we begin Advent and a new liturgical year, Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy offer different approaches to Jesus' prophetic words and caution against trying to force these events to happen in today's world. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://...

The Gospel reading for Christ the King features a clash between Pilate and Jesus and raises the question of whether Jesus is a king and, if so, what his kingdom is. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy explain the significance of this kingdom, the truth Jesus testifies to, and how his message has been a challenge to tyrants throughout history. Learn more about St. Mark's at https:...

This week, some apocalyptic predictions from Jesus spark a debate on the podcast about whether the violence of the Bible is really divine judgement. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy take a closer look at how Jesus' predictions about the temple falling were bad news in his time but good news in Mark's, how Christians underestimate the importance of these events, and how Je...

This week, Jesus has some harsh criticism for the scribes and high praise for a poor widow. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss how the widow's offering exposed temple corruption and the exploitation of those in need, and what it means for us today. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week's Gospel reading is packed with emotion! Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy break down all the reactions surrounding the death of Lazarus, including those of Jesus himself. What can we learn from the weeping and wailing of Mary and Martha, and what does this story teach us about death? Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

The Very Rev. Andrew McGowan, Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, joins "Rev'd Up for Sunday". This week's Gospel lesson brings up themes of faith and spiritual blindness. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Dean McGowan take a closer look at just what Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, saw in Jesus and what this lesson reveals about his...

The Very Rev. Robert Willis, Dean Emeritus of Canterbury Cathedral, joins "Rev'd Up for Sunday" as Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy bring the podcast to the Berkeley Center at Yale. This week's reading from Mark's Gospel stirs up questions about competition, service, and suffering. Plus, Dean Willis shares some interesting history about this passage and ref...

This week, Jesus tells a man he can inherit eternal life if he sells all his possessions...which is a request too far. Peter Walsh and John Kennedy explain why the real meaning of this story is less about money and more about attachment. Plus, they challenge some ideas like what "the eye of a needle" refers to and whether wealth is a symbol of God's blessing. Learn more about St. Ma...

Christians have been divided over the subject of divorce for years. Many point to passages like this week’s Gospel lesson, but are things as simple as they seem? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy lay out the culture Jesus was commenting on, if his views made him a feminist, and how this could be another example of him mending divisions in the world. Learn more about St. Mark's...

Jesus offered some pretty drastic (and gory) advice for people to avoid stumbling in their behavior. From the sound of it, those who failed to do so would be sent to a place of “unquenchable fire”. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy debate whether a loving God would actually send people to Hell and who the “little ones” are that Jesus was protecting. Learn more about St. Mark's...