For all you incoming seminarians

For all you men headed to seminary. This sort of thing is a distinct classroom possibility. Good strength to you all!

---

Why Teachers Weep

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and, gathering them around him, he taught them saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are you who thirst for justice. Blessed are you who are persecuted. Blessed are the peacemakers..."

Then Simon Peter said, “Do we have to write this down?"

And Philip said, "Will this be on the test?"

And John said, "Could you repeat everything you just said?"

And Andrew said, "But John the Baptist does not make his disciples learn all this stuff!"

And Matthew said, "Huh?"

And Judas said, "What does this have to do with real life?"

Then one of the Pharisees, who was an expert in the law, said, "I don't see any of this in your syllabus. Do you have a unit plan? Is there a summary? Where are the student hand-outs? Will there be any follow-up assignments? Is this thematic? How will you assess this?"

And Thomas, who had missed the sermon, came to Jesus privately said, "Did we do anything important yesterday?"

And Jesus wept.