Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 It’s funny how, deep in the human heart, is the sense that wrongs can only be set right by our efforts. Even down to the choices we make on the little things. Well what we have...
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Matthew 5:13-20 Matthew 5:13-20 Our discussion of the Beatitudes from our gospel reading last week culminated in my writing that the list of “blesseds” refers to Jesus. He is the blessed Man. He...
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Paul the apostle is not always easy to read. God gives him things to write that frankly sting. But God be thanked that Paul shied not away from penning the truth...
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Isaiah 58:3-9a Isaiah 58:3-9a Fasting. One of those practices that we read of in Scripture. We perhaps nod towards it. but for most of us there is no engagement. And note, I’m not...
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12 Matthew 5:1-12 Anyone worth their salt realizes that in studying and teaching Holy Scripture, that which is novel is not preferred. I went through a period years ago where I would read nothing commenting...
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 You simply cannot, in my opinion, read and understand the first chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians without sighing deeply and declaring...
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Micah 6:1-8 Micah 6:1-8 I remember when I became a Christian as a college student in Oregon, the Jesus movement was waning in California. But one of the strong byproducts of that movement was its...
Third Sunday After the Epiphany: Gospel, Matthew 4:12-25 Matthew 4:12-25 In this wonderful season of the Epiphany, biblical discussions easily move to light. Our Old Testament reading was the source of a quote found in our Gospel for the week dealing...
Third Sunday After the Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Paul had a full plate in Corinth. There were doctrinal issues. There were relational issues. There were issues of sin without repentance. I know...
Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Old Testament, Isaiah 9:1-4 Isaiah 9:1-4 God is all about rescue. From the earliest pages of the scriptures we see God in rescue mode. Not frantically. Not out of sorts. But flexing his “saving...
