Rev'd Up for Sunday

It's an Easter mystery! Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy explore the curious events of Jesus' missing body and the linen wrappings left behind. Plus, is Lazarus the key to understanding the wrappings, and what are we to make of the beloved disciple? Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

We've made it to Good Friday and boy does it bring up some tough questions! Peter Walsh and John Kennedy question whether Jesus is really the one on trial in this story, how we handle troublesome atonement theories, and what it means to be image bearers.  Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This episode brings us to the last night of Jesus' life and the end of his public ministry. Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey highlight the lesson in humility and servanthood Jesus taught his disciples, where we see his clarity of character and mission, and why foot washing would have been such a powerful gesture in his time. Also, we have a winner for our t-shirt contest! Listen to the end o...

Week 6 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024" It's Palm Sunday! Jesus heads from the margins to the center of everything. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy lay out how geography plays into this story, whether riding a colt was symbolic or prophetic, how historically acurate this story is, and if Jesus failed in his mission. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.st...

Week 5 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024" The end of Lent is approaching and barriers come down as our reading shows Jesus beginning to draw all people to himself. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy ponder the identity of Jesus and the power of God...and teach one another some new things in the process. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Week 4 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024" Do you struggle with the idea of who Jesus is? This week's Gospel reading jumps into a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, someone who struggled to grasp what Jesus was teaching. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy break down this passage that includes one of the most quoted Bible verses ever. Learn more about St. Mark'...

Week 3 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024" What would Jesus do? According to John's Gospel, the answer might not always be as peaceful as we think. Peter Walsh is joined by Rob Schwartz as they try to make sense of the commotion Jesus causes. Plus, what does Jesus mean by calling himself the new temple? Want to win the t-shirt featured in this episode? Send an email to revdup@stmarksne...

Week 2 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024" The Gospel passage this week is a doozie! Jesus lays out the cost of discipleship and the harsh reality of what's about to happen. Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey contemplate how radical Jesus' call was to take up a cross rather than a sword, and how this forces us to think about the violence we commit against one another. Learn more ab...

Week 1 of "Rev'd Up for Lent 2024".  Mark's Gospel wastes no time thrusting Jesus into the action. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy look at the evolution of Satan and what he represents, as well as why we need to reclaim "spiritual combat".  Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Who can save us from the confusing clash of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day? Peter Walsh and John Kennedy break down the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday and discuss whether piety is a matter of the heart or just a performance. They also discuss the pressure to impress people, how Lent sets us free, and what makes Ash Wednesday so popular. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stm...

What are we to make of a glowing Jesus, the reappearance of two dead prophets, and a cloud displaying some unusual behavior? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss the events of the Transfiguration and what it means for Mark's community and all of us.  Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

If you've felt put down or demonized, this is the episode for you. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy use the lens of Jesus' miracles to explore how he lifted people up, what his Messianic secret meant, and how he taught us to serve others. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

In today's reading, Jesus doesn't just get the people's attention...demons are taking notice as well! Peter Walsh and John Kennedy look at how this one passage sets a lot in motion for the rest of Mark's Gospel. After that, they dive into the world of the demonic and share their thoughts and experiences with exorcisms. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewc...

What is it about Jesus that convinces a bunch of fishermen to join him and "fish for people" instead? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy ponder the ways this story mirrors other call stories like "Elijah and Elisha" and push back against some Christian phrases that are often misused or misunderstood. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan...

Today's Gospel reading picks up in the early days of Jesus' ministry and people are beginning to follow him. But not everyone, it seems, is impressed. Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey explain the skepticism around Jesus, how he always sees a person's truth, and how Jesus calls us to have an epiphany of our own. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Today's Gospel reading contains a message for anyone who is struggling to keep their faith. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss what made Jesus' baptism such a personal religious experience, while also looking at the close relationship he had with John the Baptist. What makes this the experience that ignites Jesus' ministry? Learn more about St. Mark's at h...

This dive into John's Gospel takes a look at the cosmic side of who Jesus was and what's beyond his earthly trappings. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy examine the "being" of God, ponder the power of words to describe a God that's beyond description, and explore if Jesus really was the living incarnation of God. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://w...

Put on your ugly sweaters and join the clergy of St. Mark's for a dive into Luke's account of Jesus' birth. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy ponder if people today miss the shocking nature of this story, what it says about the "God of reversal", and what is so special about the shepherds' angelic encounter. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://w...

So much emphasis is put on the miracle of Mary's "virgin birth" but maybe we're focused on the wrong thing. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss the bravery of Mary's "yes" to God, ponder her popularity around the world, and reveal a scandalous fact about St. Mark's reredos. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan...

This week's lesson from John's Gospel reminds us that Jesus wasn't the only popular figure people were flocking to see. Peter Walsh, fresh from his sabbatical, rejoins Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy to continue the discussion of John the Baptist, how he prepared the way for Jesus, and what he shows us about the importance of identity. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://...

The Gospel of Mark makes it clear from the start: Everything we're about to hear is good news! Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz break down the Old Testament references in this opening passage, ponder John the Baptist's message, and look ahead to what this sets up in Jesus' ministry.  Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Why does the beginning of the church year always sound like it's the end of the world? Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy break down Jesus' apocalyptic language, highlight how this is a story about mercy for screw-ups, and reveal why this is good news for all the Gregorys out there! Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

As we come to the end of the church year, Jesus has some interesting words for the disciples. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy reflect on who Jesus says will be judged and separated, who God calls us to care for, and how we're to be a blessing to all nations. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

As Jesus prepares his disciples for life without him, he shares an unsettling parable with them. Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz each share a different perspective on how we might read this parable for our own time. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

We're tackling another parable from Jesus filled with lots of symbolism. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy contemplate what these symbols mean, why Jesus wants us to "keep awake", and how this might be more than a commentary on Christ's second coming. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org