Holy Week in Seville has got off to a rainy start today, Palm Sunday. But the presentation of its controversial poster, work of the Sevillian artist Salustiano García, was much more of a storm. Salustiano’s hyper realistic Renaissance style painting, chosen by the cofradías — the confraternities that are custodians of the figures and in … Continue reading Art, Jesus, and Holy Week in Seville
The article discusses the need for churches to address historic prejudice and imbalance against women in leadership and teaching roles. It emphasizes the importance of encouraging, training, and mentoring women, setting explicit goals, and providing suitable role models. It also highlights the need to support mothers in church leadership and ministry without neglecting their caregiving responsibilities.
By the time Jesus walked the dusty trails of Judaea, centuries of mistrust and mutual accusation had created palpable enmity between “true” Jews and Samaritans. So, when making the journey between Galilee and Judea, respectable Jews would choose the hotter, longer desert route that ran to the east of the Jordan river rather than the … Continue reading “Talking with a woman…”
"We have no reason to believe that Jesus was at all different to any other milk-guzzling nappy-filling, spend-half-the-night-screaming, but still somehow delightful human"
Pak Loki and Joko smiled as I emerged into the arrivals hall at Jakarta airport in Indonesia. I was just off a night flight from Amsterdam and would be speaking in the morning service at their church a few hours later. “How about some breakfast?” Joko asked, once we had finished the customary greetings and … Continue reading The Gospel According to Zeffirelli
As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus, … Continue reading Take two – James & John at the Samaritan village (Luke 9)
As summer Pride events in the UK come to an end, in this next "Take Two" I wanted to recognise the challenges so many queer people face to integrate their faith with their sexuality. In doing so, I applaud their perseverance and their capacity to overcome prejudice and rejection to take their seat at the … Continue reading Take Two: Philip and the Anonymous Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)
At the end of Refugee Week, this comes in recognition of all those people who are displaced and seeking a better life, a safer life, far from home. I take it you know something of the story of Ruth. To set the scene, you could read the first three chapters of this short book for … Continue reading Take Two: Boaz and Ruth
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and … Continue reading Take Two: Jesus, Martha and Mary (Luke 10)
The Bible is a record of real humanity, not an idealised projection of what someone would like it to be. Sometimes we see adequate responses; at other times, the words and actions of its protagonists can leave much to be desired. It’s sobering to think how different situations could turn out with different responses. Perhaps … Continue reading Take Two: Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8)
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