lectionary
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.
Thirst quencher: John 7:37-39; Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
In the original Christian Pentecost are seeds of a universalist impulse, a catholic principle.
Long division: Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11
The unity of Christ's followers is not incidental to our salvation.
To see and not to see: Acts 17:22-31; John 14:15-21
Paul refuses to let God become just another novelty.
Sticks and stones: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; Acts 7:55-60
Faithful suffering has always been part of the calling for God’s people.
The show-me disciple (John 20:19-31)
Mary can’t experience the resurrected Jesus for the disciples, and the disciples can’t experience Jesus for Thomas.
The Judas chromosome: Matthew 26:14—27:10
Maybe the real reason we show betrayers so little compassion is that we’re afraid there is some Judas chromosome within all of us.