Tag Archives: Matthew

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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Pentecost 10: Little Faith, Big Job, Big God

Posted on August 4, 2020 by John

The Gospel Reading for this, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, is Matthew 14:2-33   Jesus comes to the boat of the disciples in spite of battering waves. He walks on the waves. Peter hopes to do the same. Jesus says, … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 8: Nothing Random in the Big Picture

Posted on July 21, 2020 by John

The second reading for this coming Sunday is Romans 8:26-39. It includes these verses: 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew … Continue reading →

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Pentecost 3: Fear, Love, and Our New Family

Posted on June 16, 2020 by John

Matthew 10:24-39   We have several pandemics going on. The most threatening is the pandemic of polarization. The Devil’s favorite weapon is polarization, or should we say scattering. Strike the shepherd and scatter the flock.   The forces of polarization … Continue reading →

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