Read the Lectionary Texts If, during this season of Lent, you're asking the question, "Why was Jesus executed?" here is what the gospelwriters indicate is the precipitating cause. While there are many gospel stories about Jesus being on the outs with the religious leadership of his day, this story - about turning the tables in the temple - is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Jesus, if you look back over his life, had a rather tumultuous relationship with organized religion. You'll remember how, as a young child, Jesus went with his family to Jerusalem for the high holy days [READ MORE]

Read the Lectionary Texts   During this Lenten season, we are walking with Jesus toward the cross. As he makes his way through the towns and villages of Galilee, he speaks more and more openly about the death that awaits him in Jerusalem. His followers, of course, want no part of this conversation because they – like us – would avoid thinking about such things, let alone talking out loud about them. But Jesus will not let them - or us - hide from the reality of his mission, or from the ultimate result of our days on earth. [READ MORE]