my Lord, what a morning

Arising early Tuesday morning without the least idea what to blog about. The coffee is excellent -- so as to fill the mug, a double cup from my magic machine grinding an “ultra dark roast” bean from Trader Joe’s. It’s good. Not as delicate and perfect flavor as is their Kona, but good.

Once the “semester” begins, as happens at ten o’clock this morning, early Tuesday mornings are invested brushing up and finalizing preps for Bible Seminar. I use large print handouts, generally constructed from the NRSV in the Bible Gateway online, just so today. Eventually we will do whatever the group decides, but to get rolling we’ll have at least a couple of sessions resuming study of the Gospel according to Mark. Fall semester ended in Mark chapter 9, so we are picking up with chapter 10. Ten is especially interesting because it’s where so-called Secret Mark can be inserted, or restored, depending on which scholar’s opinion. In 1958 a scholar named Morton Smith found a letter purported to be from Clement discussing Secret Mark. It explains a couple of things, to me it interestingly mixes into Mark hints of the story from John about the disciple Jesus loved, and Jesus‘ raising of Lazarus. And it explains the abruptness in canonical Mark of Jesus entry and exit from Jericho (10:46-47). Mark Ten will be our topic this morning. Ten o’clock sharp, Mary Stuart Poole Library, come one come all.

The sunrise is brilliant beyond spectacular this morning, and it keeps changing. OMG what a view. What a creation. What a Creator.

My Lord, what a morning, when the stars began to shine.

TW+