Tag Archives: Matthew

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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New Year’s Day ABC: Our Eternal Now

Posted on December 27, 2022 by John

The Readings for New Year’s Day are Old Testament      Ecclesiastes 3:1–13 Psalm                     Psalm 8 New Testament     Revelation 21:1–6a Gospel                   Matthew 25:31–46 There are so many things that the church could mark on this Sunday:  New Year, … Continue reading →

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Advent 4 A: Being A Righteous Man

Posted on December 14, 2022 by John

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 7:10–16 Psalm                    Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 New Testament     Romans 1:1–7 Gospel                   Matthew 1:18–25 Our Gospel lesson today is about that other parent of Jesus. We … 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 A: Surprises for Evangelicals and for All of Us

Posted on November 17, 2020 by John

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31–46 The climax of the church’s year is Christ the King Sunday. Believers remind themselves of ultimate things. To understand our Gospel Lesson we must realize the more things change, the more they stay the same. A … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 23A: Post Election Letdown and the Stamina of Righteousness

Posted on November 4, 2020 by John

This Election Day has been a bursting of the balloon of enthusiasm for many. There was optimism in the air. As often has happened in the past, there was talk of a “new majority” a-brewing. Never before have people been … 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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Pentecost 19A: God’s Terrible, Terrific Expectations

Posted on October 11, 2020 by John

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is Matthew 22:1-14, the Parable of the Wedding Banquet.   As we listen to Jesus as church members, we are generally okay with the first part. The king is God, the son is Jesus, the banquet … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 17A What Does Authority Look Like?

Posted on September 23, 2020 by John

The Gospel for the 17 Sunday after Pentecost is Matthew 21:23-32 “By what authority do you do these things, Jesus?”   Behind the current battle about “fake news,” and whom to believe—scientists or politicians, is an existential question about the … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 11: Prejudice Defiles

Posted on August 11, 2020 by John

The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Mathew 15:1-28   The plague we are fighting today is not simply Covid-19. It is prejudice—the prejudice that keeps us from listening to people’s cries—the prejudice that fills us with fear, anger and … Continue reading →

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