Happy are Those: Psalm 32:1-7, Luke 7:36-50

This morning I was blessed to share God's Word with the lovely folks over at Boston UP Church. Our texts for the morning were:

Psalm 32:1-7

Luke 7:36-50

Mind Your Own Grocery Cart. Thanks.

It's inevitable. At least 9 out of 10 trips I make to Aldi, either the person right in front of me or right behind me in line has some sort of comment about the amount of food in my cart. The comments range from simply incredulous to flat-out snarky, but they are always irritating because. . . really? Why do you care? OK, if I was just running in for laundry soap I might not want to be stuck behind me either, but that's what you get for not planning ahead. If you were nicer, I might wave you through to go ahead of me.

I really don't think I'm getting all that much food.  Maybe that's just because I've been grocery shopping for 5+ people since 2007 and the idea of one box of Cheerios lasting more than two days is a total joke. Maybe it's because we just don't eat out much (twice a week on an indulgent week) and everyone else at the grocery store is just shopping for the one meal a week they don't eat out for. Maybe it's because I really hate grocery shopping and refuse to go more frequently than every other week while other people are totally content going there every two or three days. Whatever the case, if you think what I just bought at Aldi is alot, you should have seen the 2 loads of milk, cheese and produce I lugged to the car from the farmer's market yesterday.  Or the ENTIRE FREAKING COW in my freezer.

But I just don't get why people feel the need to comment on what's in my cart. I suppose some of them are just trying to be friendly.  But that's just really weird small talk. I'd prefer a comment about how nice it is out or something. How am I supposed to respond to someone with 4 boxes of Pop Tarts and a couple 2L of soda saying, "Wow! That's alot of fruit!" or a strange old guy asking "How many kids do you HAVE?" or today's hurried and impatient middle-aged woman (who happened to be IN FRONT OF ME in line) stating, "It looks like you'll be here a while."

There is simply no real way to respond to these comments, so I've started responding in ridiculous and/or conversation stopping ways. I'm usually not quick on my feet in those sorts of situations, but I have started a mental list of replies to these nosy and/or overly friendly people. A bonus is that the cashiers usually think it's pretty funny.

• How many kids do you have in your house? I think I had 8 kids the last I counted.
• That sure is alot of food! You should have seen how much I got when I was here yesterday.
• Wow, that's a full cart! I hope it's enough. Did you know you burn over 2000 calories running a marathon?
• How many people are you feeding? Just me.
• Didn't forget anything did you? I think I forgot one of my kids back in the dairy section, but that's ok.  I'll just buy another next time I'm here. 
• Wow, you must go through alot of fruit in your house. Not really. I'm just a theater critic.

Tooting my own Horn

I may have mentioned this a time or three before, but seminary is really hard.  It's really hard work and you have to make a point to celebrate every accomplishment. In that spirit, I'd like to mention that I was published in the seminary's theological journal. You should take the time to check it out.  I have some really incredible classmates who also contributed work and it's all well worth reading.  Enjoy!

http://www.pts.edu/Pittsburgh_Theological_Journal

The Word in Our Midst : 1 Kings 17:17-24, Luke 7:11-17

This morning I had the pleasure of joining the folks at Birmingham United Church of Christ and sharing the proclamation with them.

Our passages for the morning were:
1 Kings 17:17-24
Psalm 30
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 7:11-17

Full text after the page jump.

Of Dogs and Cynics: Mark 7:24-30

This is my final Greek exegesis paper for this term.  I thought I would share it as I personally found it to be terribly interesting.  It was a difficult passage that required some serious wrestling. . . and those always turn out to be the juiciest ones.

Introduction

            For ages, Mark’s miracle narrative about the Syrophoenician woman has interested and baffled scholar and parishioner alike. The woman in the passage is an unusual character, approaching Jesus in a bold and surprising manner, in spite of social expectations.  Jesus’ words in this passage include what appears to be a racially-charged name-calling or a test of the woman’s faith. Jesus appears to deny the woman’s request at first, creating what could be a theological mine field if not carefully studied and reflected on in light of all of the elements of this text.  What is found upon detailed analysis and prayerful contemplation is a rich passage with a beautiful message.  It reflects a deep and wonderful exchange between Jesus and a gentile woman and exemplifies Jesus’ great compassion and concern for all people.