[RCL] Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 This morning, on All Saints’ Day, we remember that we are part of a family—a very big family we call the Communion of Saints. It is a family that includes you and me, those who are here with us today, and the saints we…

[RCL] Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46 A great many preaching resources that reflect on today’s Gospel message seek to drive home the fact that this parable is an allegory—a parable or story with a moral or ethical message. The trouble, however, is that when many preachers see the word allegory,…

[RCL]: Exodus 14:19-31; Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11,20-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 Peter asks Jesus about the number of times we must forgive. We know from our Gospel stories that Peter was very human and made lots of mistakes. He had a tendency to blurt things out and wear his heart on his sleeve. In…

[RCL] Isaiah 7:10-17, Psalm 24, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 What does the name of Jesus tell us about the mystery of the Incarnation?  A verse from Hymn 489 in The Hymnal 1982 describes this mystery: He sent him down as sending God; in flesh to us he came;as one with us he dwelt with us,…

[RCL]: Exodus 14:19-31; Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11,20-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 Peter asks Jesus about the number of times we must forgive. We know from our Gospel stories that Peter was very human and made lots of mistakes. He had a tendency to blurt things out and wear his heart on his sleeve. In…

[RCL]: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 A thread of human discontent runs through scripture. Doesn’t it also run through our lives? Since the beginning, since the munching of forbidden fruits, the grasping for birthrights, the wannabe dreamers, the freed who’d rather have melons and leeks…we have been those who suffer from…

[RCL]: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Today’s Gospel reading merits a bit of investigation—it needs to be mined to find the gold.                                                                First of all, some notes about the text.  This passage appears only in Matthew—and it’s only in Matthew that we hear Jesus use the word “church”—so it probably holds a bit…

[RCL]: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Today’s Gospel reading merits a bit of investigation—it needs to be mined to find the gold.                                                                First of all, some notes about the text.  This passage appears only in Matthew—and it’s only in Matthew that we hear Jesus use the word “church”—so it probably holds a bit…

LCR: Isaias 50:4–9a; Salmo 116: 1-9 (= 116:1–8 LOC); Santiago 3:1-12; San Marcos 8:27–38 En una ocasión un maestro ya anciano, que enseñaba en un salón de clases, les pidió a sus alumnos que en una página en blanco y en un sólo párrafo describieran al compañero que tenían a su lado y que hicieran una…

Today’s Gospel passage begins with an incredible contrast. Luke tells us that Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit, and then he is led into the emptiness of the wilderness. Remember, in Luke’s account, Jesus has just been baptized. We read that this Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice from heaven…