Third Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Matthew 11:2-15 Matthew 11:2-15 John the Baptist has questions about Jesus. It’s a bit challenging to think of the baptizer of Jesus wondering. Hasn’t he been convinced by the events at the baptism of...
Third Sunday in Advent: Epistle, James 5:7-11 James 5:7-11 Aren’t there subjects in the Bible that you like to steer away from? I’m sure there are. Me, too. Patience is one of those for the simple...
Third Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Isaiah 35:1-10 Isaiah 35:1-10 Isaiah 35 is a wonderful chapter. Hope abounds. Promises are made. And because of the character of the Promise Giver, what is...
Second Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Matthew 3:1-12 Matthew 3:1-12 There is a word in our gospel reading this week that gives me great concern. It gives me pause because in the years I have been in Christian ministry, it is a...
Second Sunday in Advent: Psalm, Psalm 72:1-7 Psalm 72:1-7 Kings need help. Ancient kings. Modern kings. All kings, all rulers need help. Psalm 72 comes from the pen of a king who, in human terms, was probably the...
Second Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 11:1-10 Funny isn’t it how certain phrases are quoted with great authority and familiarity only to be found to be in error when sourced? One...
First Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Matthew 24:36-44 Matthew 24:36-44 Questions abound regarding the coming again of the Son of Man. It’s time is compared to the days surrounding faithful Noah. It’s compared to the...
First Sunday in Advent: Epistle, Romans 13:11-14 Romans 13:11-14 Our Old Testament reading for the week focused our attention on the wonderful days ahead, going to the house of the Lord, the hill-dwelling of the Great...
First Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Isaiah 2:1-5 Isaiah 2:1-5 God calls and His calling is always clear. In our Old Testament reading for the week God makes a call that His people should...
Proper 29: Gospel, Luke 23:27-43 Luke 23:27-43 “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Sweet words indeed. But in the context of the event during which they are spoken … not so nice. The event, that is. The darkness of the event makes the...
