Tom Andel

Tom Andel

How to Pass On Without Passing Away

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) Christians and their Jewish brothers and sisters have one major element of faith in common: both believe in reincarnation. The reincarnation of God’s word, that is. Throughout the Old and…

You Could Be a Prime Minister

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) Imagine you’re Elijah the prophet, meeting a poor widow preparing for her own death. She’s scrounging for scraps to prepare her last meal. Would you have the gall to ask…

A Lifetime Becoming Know-it-Alls

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) Jesus passes an oral exam administered by a scribe in this Sunday’s gospel reading (Mk 12:28b-34). At least the scribe thinks he’s the administrator. “Which is the first of all…

Why Scammers Need Our Prayers

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) Churches have been ripe targets for scammers ever since Satan tried scamming Jesus in the desert. Jesus himself was accused of being the ultimate scammer when, after exorcising someone’s demons,…

Explore the Gap between Soul and Spirit

Many of us have favorite scripture passages that reveal truths beyond words. They use vivid imagery instead. This Sunday’s letter from Paul to the Hebrews (Heb 4:12-13) describes graphically how the razor-sharp word of God works in us: like a…

God Discovered in Inner Space

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) A recent movie, “Fly Me to the Moon,” was marketed as a tale about people intent on faking the Apollo 11 moon landing. This secret mission was to offer insurance…

Christ isn’t a Cuss

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: ) The title “Christ” is derived from the Greek word christos, which translates as the Hebrew term meshiah (Messiah), meaning “the anointed one.” Anointed is a loaded term in itself. To…