In the Lectionary
Known by our love: Romans 14:1-12
We cannot choose who God will call into Christ’s body in baptism.
The Messiah's mission: Romans 13:8-14
Christ as weapon, Paul?
Gradual confession: Matthew 16:13-20
Only Peter stands up to answer Jesus' question.
Boundless discipleship: Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28
How do we determine and define what is pure and wholesome?
Feed them: Matthew 14:13-21
How do you summon compassion when you’re depleted?
The mysterious power of leaven: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-49a
What are we asking for when we pray for the kingdom of heaven to come?
The seed, the sower and the Source: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
When a seed is snapped up by a bird of the air, the seed’s journey isn’t necessarily over.
Unmerited favor: Matthew 10:40-42
The only rewards that matter can’t be earned.
Baptismal reaffirmations: Romans 6:1b-11
Remembering our baptism enables us to step out of our old life, at least for a moment.
The apostles' new identity: Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35–10:8 (9-23)
I wonder if Paul has Euripides in mind.
Gifts all around us: John 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
What happens to a person when the Holy Spirit descends like a tongue of fire? In Acts, those present were filled with the Holy Spirit. We all long for this. We all seek fulfillment. I saw this once when I was conducting a spiritual retreat for members of various 12-step groups. Each person spoke powerfully about how the pain of emptiness in his life had led him down wayward paths. Each had discovered that “you can never get enough of that which will not satisfy.”