Category Archives: Faith

Pentecost 6B: Boasting and Praying on a Pandemic Fourth

Posted on June 30, 2021 by John

The Second Reading for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost is 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 in which Paul demurs from boasting, says he could boast in his visions, but concludes that Christ’s refusal to remove his “thorn of the flesh” taught him … Continue reading →

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Easter 3 B: Ambiguity and the Sense and Sensibility of Faith

Posted on April 12, 2021 by John

The Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter are: First Reading         Acts 3:12–19 Psalm                    Psalm 4 New Testament     1 John 3:1–7 Gospel                   Luke 24:36b–48 Ambiguity drives us to distraction. We want black and white answers to … Continue reading →

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Palm/Passion Sunday B: Meaning Shines Out From Steadfastness

Posted on March 24, 2021 by John

The readings for the Liturgy of the Passion: Old Testament      Isaiah 50:4–9a Psalm                    Psalm 31:9–16 New Testament     Philippians 2:5–11 Gospel                   Mark 14:1–15:47 or Mark 15:1–39 (40–47) Friedrich Nietzsche was a harsh critic of religious belief; but … Continue reading →

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Lent 4 B: Poisonous Prevention

Posted on March 11, 2021 by John

These are the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent Old Testament      Numbers 21:4–9 Psalm                    Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22 New Testament     Ephesians 2:1–10 Gospel                   John 3:14–21 The Old Testament and Gospel readings both refer to famous cases … Continue reading →

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Lent 1 B: The Noah Covenant and the Pandemic

Posted on February 16, 2021 by John

This Sunday’s readings: Old Testament      Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm                    Psalm 25:1–10 New Testament     1 Peter 3:18–22 Gospel                   Mark 1:9–15 Last Sunday was Transfiguration, and we thought of that word of our time: “unprecedented.” The fire, the windstorm, … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve B: On Them Light Has Shined

Posted on December 23, 2020 by John

The First Reading for Christmas Eve is Isaiah 9:2-7, which starts with this oracle: 2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. Here … Continue reading →

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Advent 4 B: Look Up to God And Down on None

Posted on December 16, 2020 by John

The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday is the Annunciation: Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that, though a virgin, she will bear the Son of the Most High God, the Messiah of the lineage of King David (Luke 1:26-38). The Psalm that … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 20A: Used by Trump or by God?

Posted on October 13, 2020 by John

The alternative Old Testament Reading for this Sunday is Isaiah 45:1-7, where the Lord calls up Cyrus to be used as an instrument to subdue nations, strip kings of their robes, and open doors for the returning exiles.   And … Continue reading →

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Trinity Sunday: Put Things (Back) in Order

Posted on June 2, 2020 by John

Things Fall Apart is the title of the powerful 1958 book by the late Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It tells of the tragic life of a young man, trying to find respect for himself and his family by overcoming what he … Continue reading →

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Easter 6A: What if God did send the virus?

Posted on May 12, 2020 by John

The Psalm for Easter 6 A is Psalm 66. It includes this: 10For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. 11You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs; 12you … Continue reading →

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