Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 5:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 If I have written similar thoughts on this precious gospel account, forgive me. But as I wrote to a friend earlier this very week, I have a hard time reading this account. Because by its end I am usually overcome by a couple...
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 138 Psalm 138 Idolatry. It is the sin of our age. It is probably the sin of every age and it is rooted in self and pride and really...
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany: Old Testament, Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah 6:1-8 So back again to one of my very favorite texts, certainly from Isaiah if not the entire Bible. Not many careful readers of the scriptures will be unfamiliar with this text. But perhaps just a note for context...
Fourth Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Luke 1:39-45 Luke 1:39-45 I love the account of Mary receiving heavenly news of her role in the Messiah’s birth. It’s difficult to imagine, especially as a man who...
Fourth Sunday in Advent: Epistle, Hebrews 10:5-10 Hebrews 10:5-10 The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews grants us marvelous insight into the Jewish Messiah. Jewish by blood, but given for all. In this chapter the writer quotes the...
Fourth Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Micah 5:2-5a Micah 5:2-5a We all know the carol. It’s a song bringing to light the glory that will rest, by God’s plan, upon a very small, out-of-the-way...
Third Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Luke 7:18-28 Luke 7:18-28 What do you doubt about God? His program? Perhaps even His Word? Why begin a meditation, especially in this blessed season, with questions...
Third Sunday in Advent: Epistle, Philippians 4:4-7 Philippians 4:4-7 The Lord has brought us to a passage in this Advent season that speaks, perhaps in a veiled way of the blessings of His incarnation. We...
Third Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Zephaniah 3:14-20 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Two verses from the reading above. Verses 14-15 read: “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken...
Second Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Luke 3:1-14 Luke 3:1-14 Advent and Christmas bring wondrous readings from the Scriptures as the church gathers to listen with God’s blessing. The nativity narratives, the entry of the King into His city, and the linking of the people of God...
