Rev'd Up for Sunday

In observance of the Feast of All Saints, we jump back to earlier in Matthew as Jesus is giving his sermon on the mount. Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz talk about the Beatitudes and what Jesus meant by the word "blessed". Plus, how does Matthew's version differ from Luke's and what needed to be conveyed to the Matthean community. Learn more about St. Mark&apo...

Which commandment is the greatest? Jesus is tested by his opponents with this question and, in typical Jesus fashion, his answer is anything but simple. Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz unpack Jesus' response, explain how our love of God and  neighbor are linked together, and tackle one of Jesus' less-quoted interactions with the Pharisees. Learn more about St. Mark&apos...

Will Jesus fall for his opponents' latest trap? Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz highlight the unlikely groups working together to stop Jesus, the challenge of answering a loaded question about government, and whose image is stamped on each of us. Referenced in this episode: "The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning Of Jesus' Sayings" by John Sanford - https://a.c...

Jesus has another parable in store for us this week and the only thing more shocking than the guests who passed up an incredible wedding banquet is the reaction from the king who invited them! Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz think through the violence of this parable, what it means that "few are chosen", and why we keep hearing about gnashing  teeth! Learn more about St...

This week's Gospel lesson features yet another parable about a vineyard...with some pretty gruesome plot twists! Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz contemplate what this parable says about human behavior, our acceptance of God, and the radical welcome God extends to all. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

After stirring up trouble in the temple, the chief priests and elders want Jesus out! Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz discuss how Jesus' authority is questioned and how he turns the tables on his challengers. Plus, we're given another parable to think through. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week's reading features another parable from Jesus and it makes God sounds pretty unfair! Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz discuss what it means for the first to be last, how God offers everything to us, and what this story says about our relationship to one another. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Even the most forgiving of people would have trouble following Jesus' advice on those who have wronged us. Elizabeth Garnsey, John Kennedy, and Rob Schwartz reflect on the intricacies of forgiveness, why we should pay it forward, and if God's forgiveness is conditional. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

In this week's reading, Jesus lays out a plan for what to do when someone sins against us. John Kennedy and Rob Schwartz, St. Mark's Digital Missioner, review Jesus' step-by-step solution and comment on how this approach aims to help both the oppressed and the oppressor as well as what responsibility the community has. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan...

How can one disciple go from the church's solid rock to a stumbling block? John Kennedy and Rob Schwartz, St. Mark's Digital Missioner, take a closer look at how Peter struggled to understand Jesus' plan, why it's hard to follow him, and what it means to deny ourselves and take up our cross. Referenced in this episode: The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone: https://a.co...

"Who do people say I am?" That's the question Jesus poses in this week's Gospel reading. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy share insights on Jesus' "Son of Man" title, the political and liberating claims being made about the messiah, and the intention behind Jesus asking his question in a very specific place. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmar...

In Jesus' conversation with the Canaanite woman, he comes across as sounding downright disrespectful...but is he really trying to provoke a reaction from his disciples? Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy point out some noteworthy things about the Canaanite woman, why the disciples might be worried, and how the kingdom of God is pretty scandalizing. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://...

Peter, in the story of Jesus walking on water, has a moment of doubt but also demonstrates great faith. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy address the wavering and intention within us all and explain what it means to "jump in" with Jesus. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This mountaintop experience might be a bit of a downer. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy look at the loaded symbolism of the Transfiguration, counter the idea that God was out to kill Jesus, and explore how prayer can bring us energy and clarity. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

How many parables can a pair of priests ponder? Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven using 5 different scenarios that offer unique ways of understanding it. Elizabeth Garnsey and John Kennedy break down what we can learn from a mustard seed, yeast, treasure, a merchant, and a net. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Our latest exploration of Jesus' parables makes it sounds like God is planning some fiery vengeance for any evildoers! While this plays into our desire to do away with our enemies, Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey explain how Jesus says otherwise. How can we ultimately see this as a parable of patience and grace? Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week focuses on "The Parable of the Sower". Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey think through the different kinds of rejection this story depicts, why it isn't about "getting our soil right", and what it tells us about the kingdom of God. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

It only takes five words to sum up this week's Gospel reading: Rejected, Rebuked, Revelation, Recipients, and Rewards. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss how Jesus is bigger than one tradition and why it's a joyful thing to take his yoke. Plus, they uncover one more "R" word we can learn from. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaa...

In this week's reading, Jesus really stresses the importance of welcoming others. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy look at ancient hospitality and how we can become more welcoming in the midst of a wildly inhospitable culture. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

For the podcast's 100th episode, the Gospel reading shows us a pretty harsh-sounding Jesus. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy are joined by Justin Crisp to discuss how Jesus was so divisive and why that might not be such a bad thing. Stick around for the second half of the episode where the four clergy reflect on their podcast journey and what they've learned. Learn more a...

In today's reading, Jesus sends his disciples out with the authority to do some pretty amazing things. He also paints a pretty bleak picture of the opposition they'll face along the way. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy ponder what it takes to follow a Messiah like Jesus, red flags to look out for with false prophets, and if Jesus got some predictions wrong. Referenced in...

Wherever Jesus goes in this passage, he seems to be creating controversy...and also community! Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy observe Jesus as healer in Matthew's Gospel, the way he twists what people already know, and how we still find a way to touch the power of the divine. Referenced in this podcast: Tim Keller: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Timothy-Keller/author/B001H6SA...

The Trinity can be a hard doctrine of the Church for people to grasp or believe, and it can certainly be a stumbling block in interfaith dialogue. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy look at how 1+1+1 can somehow equal 1 and how Jesus' work in the world continues through the Spirit. Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

The story of Pentecost has many fantastical elements: the sound of a mighty wind, tongues of fire, and people hearing a prophetic message in their own language. But how much of this is true? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy look into the Spirit-filled events of Pentecost and ponder what makes Jesus so different than others who claimed to be the Messiah. Learn more about St. Mark&ap...

What can we learn from an intimate prayer between Jesus and God? Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy dissect and debate part of the concluding prayer in Jesus' farewell discourse. How do we balance our individual and communal lives, does "eternal life" mean something different than the afterlife, and will there be hot dogs in Heaven?  Learn more about St. Mark's at...