Break Open the Word

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8 - 1 July   2012 Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Lamentations 3:21-33 II Corinthians 8:7-15 St. Mark 5:21-43                                                                                     Background: Anointing of the Sick Each Sunday at Saint Mark’s Church in Berkeley, and at Trinity Church in San Francisco, people gather at a prayer desk on the side of the congregation to receive prayer for healing, anointing with oil, and the laying on of hands for healing.   Where did the practice come from? ...

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7 - 24 June 2012 Job 38:1-11 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 II Corinthians 6:1-13 St. Mark 4:35-41                                                                                     Background:   Creation – Word and Chaos In the readings from Job and from the Gospel of Mark, we have echoes of one of the creation stories in Genesis.   It is one model that is used in describing the work of creation, but it is not the only one.   The influences on the creation stories flow directly from the Canaanite cultur...