Let love be your aim.
I’m just curious, when was the last time you ran into a Scribe? We don’t really use Scribes very often. It’s an antiquated synonym for secretary or clerk of meetings, maybe a writer. But it feels like you’d need a flagon or something to really use it correctly. I remember when I was in Boy Scouts we actually had a leadership position called Scribe. The Scribe was like the clerk, which was a pretty easy job because we never made motions or took minutes or anything.
The scribes of Israel were not that. They were a guild of experts, teachers and exponents of the law. Remember that in their culture the law of Moses wasn’t just for their personal religious direction and observances. It was their law – everything from national laws to civic ordinances that defined how they lived in community.
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Into the Blue
About a week and a half ago, 11 days to be exact, the world watched William Shatner, the actor most famous for his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk on the original Star Trek TV show and movies, actually rocket into space and safely return aboard the Blue Origin.
At 90 years of age, with a whole life of extraordinary experiences, here was a chance to experience in real life what he had portrayed on the little and big screen.
I don’t know what he said after they landed before they opened the capsule door. I know what I want him to have said. I know what I needed him to say. For me, he needed to fix his steely gaze on the other passengers and say, “Phasers on stun.”
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The Hard, Good Road
Today’s gospel is the third of three incidents that Mark shares where Jesus tells his disciples about his impending suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. You’ll recall the other two; Peter’s confession followed with “Get behind me Satan,” and after the second time the disciples argue amongst themselves about who is greatest.
Jesus again tells them in verses 10:32-34 what is to come. This time, it is the brothers James and John. Mark tells us (in Chapter 3) that Jesus calls them “Sons of Thunder.” That tells us they were loud, boisterous types.
There are two primary lessons to learn from this passage.
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