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a bruised reed he will not break
Gerard David, “Baptism of Christ”, 1502 – 1508, Musee Communal, Bruge, Belgium. Isaiah 42:1-9, Matt. 3:13-17 For Sunday, January 14, 2014 Epiphany, Year A, Baptism of the Lord When I first read this...
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now THIS … is something new
Matthew 5:21-31 For Sunday, February 16, 2014 6th Sunday After Epiphany I have a side interest in church signs. There are a couple I drive by regularly. More often than not while the sign maker is...
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What is this thing called life?
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 For Sunday, March 9, 2014 First Sunday in Lent Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love” is one of the great jazz standards. This week’s readings address an even deeper...
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loving deeply
For Sunday, May 4, 2014 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14, 36 – 41 (Definitive Statements) Definitive statements are not in vogue; diversity and tolerance are. Yet how refreshing when someone has the...
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making the case
“St. Paul Preaching in Athens”, Raphael, 1515, Royal Collection of the United Kingdom Acts 17:22-31 For Sunday, May 25, 2014 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A What would be a compelling case for the gospel...
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the power of the gospel and prayer
Jacob Encountering Rachel with her Father’s Herds, Joseph Ritter Von Fuhrich, 1836. Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria. For Sunday, July 27, 2014 Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper...
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snatching victory from the jaws of unlikelihood
“Finding of Moses”, Giovanni Battista (1696 – 1770) National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh Exodus 1:8 – 2:10 For Sunday, August 24, 2014 Proper 16 (11th Sunday after Pentecost) God has a habit of...
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“I am who I am”
Exodus 3:1-15 For Sunday, August 31, 2014 Proper 17 (12th Sunday After Pentecost) We lived in Russia (Irkutsk, Siberia) during the tumultuous transition from Yeltsin to Putin during Putin’s first...
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The Exodus: merely a charter myth?
“Departure of the Israelites”, by David Roberts, 1829 Exodus 14:19-31 For Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 14th Sunday After Pentecost The Wikipedia article on the Exodus begins, “The Exodus is the charter myth...
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The problem with cut and paste
Jean II Restout : Pentecôte Psalm 104:24-34, 35b For Pentecost Sunday Sunday, May 24, 2015 I love most things about the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Following the annual church calendar is a...
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Commendable faith
Mark 7:24-37 For Sunday, September 6, 2015 Year B, Proper 18 Why did Jesus go to Tyre (modern day Lebanon)? Mark hints at an answer in saying “He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he...
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Inheriting the good life
Sergey Brin, a rich young man who co-founded Google Mark 10:17-31 For Sunday, October 11, 2015 Year B, Proper 23 A rich young man, who by virtue of being rich at a young age may well have been the 1st...
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Representing the Kingdom of Heaven
Nikolai Ge, “What is Truth?”, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia, 1890.John 18:33-38 For Sunday, November 22, 2015 Reign of Christ (Proper 29) Today’s post is dedicated to the citizens of Paris. Thank...
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Soul check
Psalm 25:1-10 For Sunday, November 29, 2015 Year C, First Sunday of Advent “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul” (v. 1). This act is the essence of a transformed life. How often is it that I forget or...
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Brood of Vipers
John the Baptist Announcing the Messiah Cappella Palatina di Palermo Palermo, Italy (mid 12th century) Luke 3:7-18 For Sunday, December 13, 2015 3rd Sunday of Advent Crowds were willing to journey into...
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Reclaiming the Joy of the Lord
Scroll of Isaiah from Qumran (Muzeʼon Yiśraʼel (Jerusalem)) Nehemiah 8:1-10 For Sunday, January 24, 2016 Third Sunday After the Ephiphany This passage is wholly appropriate for the season of Epiphany...
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Authentic leadership manifests in humility
The great passage of Scripture that forms my life verse, Micah 6:8, reads, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” The grammar and syntax of the Hebrew original suggest that...
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How bold should we be?
The Apostle Paul’s answer In 2 Cor. 3:7, ff. is very bold. Paul notes that Moses’ face was radiant after meeting with God (Exodus 34). Paul then asks, “If Moses face was radiant in carrying the...
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Hope-fueled boldness
Giovanni Bellini, “Transfiguration of Christ”, Naples, Italy, 1480 – 1485. 2 Cor. 3:12-4:2 For Sunday, February 7, 2016 Transfiguration Sunday We ought to be exceedingly bold in living out the gospel....
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Finding freedom in grace
Van Gogh, “Harvest in Provence”, 1888, Israel Museum, Jerusalem Romans 10:8b-13 For Sunday, February 14, 2016 First Sunday in Lent We all know intellectually that we’re saved by grace through faith....
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