ordinary time
New math: Matthew 18:21-35
Matthew's story is terrible news. It is also the truth that will make us free.
Your God is too nice: Matthew 20:1-16
When I was a kid growing up in the Willamette Valley, local teenagers and migrant laborers would go out together into the strawberry fields to help with the harvest. This parable, with its setting in the vineyard, describes the emotions of us workers—we wanted a fair wage for a fair day’s work.
Unforgiven: Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 13:8-14
Jesus knew forgiveness would always need special emphasis.
Siding with grace: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28
How do the blessed feel when they think of the damned?
Midwife's tale: Exodus 1:8—2:10; Matthew 16:13-20
The Hebrew midwives were poised to receive the future that God had promised.
The shadow side: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Matthew 14:22-33
Fear rules the emotions of Joseph’s brothers and strikes the hearts of Jesus’ disciples.
Our Jewish problem: Genesis 32:22-30; Romans 9:1-5
The first covenant holds forever.
Up for adoption: Romans 8:12-25
One is not born a Christian; one becomes a Christian. This reminds me of my three-year-old friend Grace.
The joke is on us: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
"Have you understood all this?" They said yes. God must still be laughing.
Close call: Genesis 22:1-14
In my youth I thought: God asked what of Abraham? Is this the God who I am supposed to worship?
Facing fear: Genesis 21:8-12; Matthew 10:26-30
A mother and child wander in the unknown—that place where fears overtake us.
Listen up: Genesis 12:1-9
As Abram's heirs, we must know that our lives are not so much about choosing as they are about being called.
Macro-mystery: Matthew 28:16-20
Compared to cosmologists, theologians have the advantage—and disadvantage—of revelation.
The waters of solidarity: Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11
The baptism of Jesus is Mark's Christmas story.
A word and a calling: 1 Sam. 3:1-20; John 1:43-51
Reading the call of Samuel, one wonders why the lectionary confronts us with such a dread epiphany.