Category Archives: Church and Social Movements

Spot and a Still Small Voice

Posted on August 28, 2023 by John

In my early days with sheep herding dogs, I thought the only way of getting through to them was through my voice….and the louder the better. You see you train dogs in a big open field; and the sheep start … Continue reading →

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Epiphany 3 A: The Light of Jesus for Today’s Darkness

Posted on January 18, 2023 by John

The lessons for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany are Old Testament      Isaiah 9:1–4 Psalm                    Psalm 27:1, 4–9 New Testament     1 Corinthians 1:10–18 Gospel                   Matthew 4:12–23 The first few chapters of Matthew have been overture. Now … Continue reading →

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Baptism of the Lord A: God Shows No Partiality

Posted on January 7, 2023 by John

The readings for the Baptism of the Lord are Old Testament      Isaiah 42:1–9 Psalm                    Psalm 29 New Testament     Acts 10:34–43 Gospel                   Matthew 3:13–17 When the author of Luke and Acts thought of the most important implication … Continue reading →

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Advent 3A:  Holy Way—Holy Home

Posted on December 6, 2022 by John

The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Isaiah 35:1–10 Psalm                    Psalm 146:5–10 or Luke 1:46b–55 New Testament     James 5:7–10 Gospel                   Matthew 11:2–11 Churches used to have big signs that said, “Jesus is … Continue reading →

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Advent 1 A: Holy Dissatisfaction

Posted on November 23, 2022 by John

The readings for the First Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 2:1–5 Psalm                    Psalm 122 New Testament     Romans 13:11–14 Gospel                   Matthew 24:36–44 In his 1843 book, Fear and Trembling, the Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, criticized … Continue reading →

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Christ the King C: Woe to Shepherds Who Scatter

Posted on November 15, 2022 by John

The readings for this Christ the King Sunday are Old Testament      Jeremiah 23:1–6 Psalm                    Luke 1:68–79 or Psalm 46 New Testament     Colossians 1:11–20 Gospel                   Luke 23:33–43 Jeremiah proclaims a divine oracle of woe unto those who … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 23 C: Christianity, Violence, Love, and Elections

Posted on November 8, 2022 by John

The lessons for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost are… Old Testament      Malachi 4:1–2a Psalm                    Psalm 98 New Testament     2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 Gospel                   Luke 21:5–19 As I write this post it is the day of mid-term elections. … Continue reading →

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All Saints Day C: The Last Laugh after Midterm Elections

Posted on October 31, 2022 by John

The Lessons for All Saints Day/Sunday are: Old Testament      Daniel 7:1–3, 15–18 Psalm                    Psalm 149 New Testament     Ephesians 1:11–23 Gospel                   Luke 6:20–31 I’m particularly interested in our Gospel reading, and having the last laugh. Jesus speaks … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 21 C: Envy, the Primal Sin

Posted on October 25, 2022 by John

The readings for the Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost are Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament      Habakkuk 1:1–4, 2:1–4 Psalm                    Psalm 119:137–144 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament      Isaiah 1:10–18 Psalm                    … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 20 C: Welcome to the Church’s Golden Age!

Posted on October 18, 2022 by John

The readings for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost are Old Testament & Psalm, Option I Old Testament      Joel 2:23–32 Psalm                    Psalm 65 or Old Testament & Psalm, Option II Old Testament      Sirach 35:12–17 or Jeremiah 14:7–10, 19–22 … Continue reading →

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