The conclusion to the Gospel according to Mark, or at least one of them. The ending of Mark is so interesting and probably not what you think of when you think about resurrection stories.   As you hear the text, pay attention to how different it is from any of your preconceived notions about the resurrection story. And, pay attention to why Mark would end this story in such a way.   Mark's ending may seem abrupt, but there is an invitation as well...   Follow along here. 

Ruminate This

Mark 16:1-8 - Lectio Divina

There is a sense of finality in today's passage. At least if you were to hear this for the first time. Jesus has died. Now he is buried. There are witnesses to where he has been laid. That seems to be it.   Imagine reading this, rather hearing it read, for the very first time. Having been on an extensive journey with Jesus, and his disciples, it all comes to a dramatic end. The tomb is closed. That is it.   At least for today. I know you know the end of the story. But for today sit with this. Sit with the uncertainty, the finality, as if this were the first time you heard the story. Sit in solidarity with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses. Sit with this...   Follow along here. 

Mark 15:42-47 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage is heavy to say the least. From Simon carrying the cross for Jesus, to the crucifixion, and those who observed it.   There is a heaviness that comes with reading this passage. Pay attention to your feelings as you hear it. There are times to deeply investigate the words (some are in Aramaic), but today choose to move beyond the mind and allow the practice of Lectio Divina to ruminate in your soul.   Follow along here. 

Mark 15:21-41 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage includes some pretty violent imagery. Violence can invoke various responses for people. Pay attention to not only what your think about this text, but also how it makes you feel. Allow your heart to take over as you sit with this text.    Follow along here.  

Mark 15:1-20 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage moves us from entering into the humanity of Jesus, to the humanity of Peter. As you hear the text, I invite you to examine what feelings are associated with this passage. Move beyond just understanding with your head and engage, and pay attention to, your heart.   Follow along here. 

Mark 14:66-72 - Lectio Divina

As we draw closer to the crucifixion, the suspense hightens. We continue to be drawn into the humanity of Jesus. As you hear today's passage, may your become more and more aware of the fullness of your humanity. We join our brother, Jesus, in the experience of the human condition.   Follow along here. 

Mark 14:53-65 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage really highlights the humanity of Jesus. We are invited into his emotions, his struggle, the very essence of what it means to be human. This is a long passage, that covers a lot. Be sure to set aside time to experience the fullness of the text.   Follow along here.  

Mark 14:26-52 - Lecito Divina

There is a lot going on in today's passage. Due to the length it is only read three times on the podcast, if you need another read of the text take the time to read it and really let it sit in. There is a lot going on here. If you need to take it in pieces, allow yourself the time and flexibility to do so.    Toward the end of this passage is the institution of the Lord's Supper. This Sunday, the majority of United Methodist Churches (and churches in many other denominations) will celebrate Holy Communion in their worship services. Allow today's reading to sit with you. May these words both form your understanding of the Lord's Supper and transform your experience of Holy Communion.    Follow along here. 

Mark 14:1-25 - Lectio Divina

Today's Halloween edition includes some spooky stuff: ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,    and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,    and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.   How is that for a Halloween lectio divina! Wherever you find yourself today, may you experience God amidst the spooky and the unsure. May you "keep awake" to all that God may teach you this day.   Follow along here. 

Mark 13:24-37 - Lectio Divina

Today's reading comes from the 13th chapter of Mark. If you are unfamiliar with apocalyptic literature, this may be a really scary passage. There will probably be a lot of confusing passages, words, phrases, ideas.   You will probably also bring a lot of ideas to the passage: things you have read in other books, movies you have seen. Do your best to let the text speak for itself. Read chapter 13 as part of the greater whole of the story of Mark. Let Mark influence Mark.   If you are really struggling to understand this passage, check out a study Bible or a commentary to help you better understand what is going on here. Follow along here. 

Mark 13:1-23 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage is very short. It is often referred to as the "Widow's Offering," and this, too, may be a familiar passage. As always, the danger of familiar passages is missing the meaning assuming we already know what it is about.  Listen with open ears and an open mind. Listen as though this is the first time you have heard this reading.   Lectio divina is a wonderful spiritual practice, and the hope of spiritual practices is both to connect you with God, but also to stretch you spiritually. A suggestion, since this is such a short passage, is to memorize this scripture. Scripture memorization is another spiritual practice that can be helpful and also challenge us. As you memorize it, allow the words to soak in, ruminate, and continue to transform you.   Rather than linking to the scripture, you can find it below: He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’

Mark 12:41-44 - Lectio Divina

Today's passage is long and it covers a whole lot. I hope you'll take the time to finish the practice, but make sure you give yourself ample time to do so.   There is a theme that emerges in today's text. The religious elites continue to question Jesus, they try to trap him, out smart him, get him to mess up. But time and again Jesus not only outwits the religious elites, he engages wisdom and invites them to move beyond their dualistic understanding of right and wrong. He invites them to encounter God in a new way, to reimagine the God they think they know.   May you too be invited to reimagine God as you hear the scripture for today.   Follow along here. 

Mark 12:13-40 - Lectio Divina

Today's reading has another parable. There is incredible power in storytelling.  A story can convery layers, or levels, of truth in a way that direct answers cannot. I encourage you to sit with the parable from today. Pay attention to what it teaches at the surface level. Then pay attention to the next layer down, and the next, and the next.    Parables can be confusing and difficult to understand. They can also open you to a whole new understanding of yourself, of others, and of God. May that be true for you today. Follow along here. 

Mark 12:1-12 - Lectio Divina

"By what authority are you doing these things?" This is the question posed to Jesus by the religious leaders of his day. The question of authority is one we still wrestle with today. One that causes a lot of division both within the church and beyond. Jesus responds to their question with a question of his own. This is a pretty standard response for Jesus. Rather than directly answering a question, he asks his own question(s). What might this tell us about how Jesus communicates, teaches, and/or his understanding of authority?    Follow along here. 

Mark 11:27-33 - Lectio Divina

Today's text, like so much of the Gospel according to Mark, is layered. It appears the teaching of Jesus has a surface level understanding, and also countless layers of understanding below the surface.   As Jenny invites you to do, hear the text not just for information, but for formation. May you be informed, as well as transformed, by today's reading.   Follow along here. 

Mark 11:15-25 - Lectio Divina

Monday through Friday, you are invited to read a portion of the Bible, and this podcast offers you the opportunity to enter into a "divine reading" of the text.

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Ruminate This

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