How did this happen? How did Jesus’ life of peace end in such a violent death? We stand at the edge of this moment, looking on in horror and confusion — just as Jesus’ followers did on the day he was crucified. The violence we have seen is numbing: it robs us of the ability…

The story just proclaimed presents Jesus as mocked three times, by three different groups: first, the religious authorities; then the secular authorities; and finally, the ordinary people, the crowd. These instances of mockery have unexpected results. The pretensions of each group are dismantled. The stage is cleared of rivals, and the true king is enthroned….

What words can one utter after the reading of this gospel? The most dramatic events in all creation are recounted by Mark in his customary simplicity and minimal use of words, but both the telling and the hearing break the heart. We ask: How can people be so cruel? How could the disciples have been…

“At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Some day St. Paul’s beautiful, prophetic words to the Christian community in Philippi will be fulfilled. Some day—but not yet. Imagine what it must have been like in Jerusalem in the days surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. Barely a…

Isn’t it odd how shy we all are about processions? We don’t mind the choir and clergy dressing up and marching about the place. If we are asked to join in, that’s quite another matter. Processions are mini-journeys. Journeys can be nerve-wracking. There’s all the packing to do. If we have children, they must be…

Today we begin the observances of Holy Week: to follow the ancient narratives of Christ’s passion and death. If we study them closely we have the chance to identify our world and ourselves in this sacred story. We know how it ends, but the power of the story lies in our conscious or unconscious identification…

The little town of Spearfish, SD, nestled in the foot of the Black Hills holds a singular distinction. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Spearfish holds the record for the largest temperature drop ever recorded. As you can imagine, Spearfish is not San Diego. Well, Jerusalem is not San Diego either, but if…

Only one participant in the Gospel accompanied Jesus through all the length of his days. This character was present at Bethlehem and during all of the events of Holy Week right up to and after the Crucifixion. We are speaking of The Crowd. This gathering of the poor, the rich, the ragtag, the sophisticated, the…