proper 16
Gradual confession: Matthew 16:13-20
Only Peter stands up to answer Jesus' question.
Essential question: John 6:56-69
Who is Jesus really? The answers are almost as varied as the believers.
West coast witness: Matthew 16:13-20
As some friends and I ate a picnic lunch, we fell into a rambling conversation about politics, real estate values in an earthquake zone and the virtues of sauvignon blanc over chardonnay. Then I mentioned offhandedly that perhaps I viewed something or other the way I did because I was a Christian. This revelation did not strike me as a big deal. After all, they had been talking about Buddhist meditation, Sufi parables and personal spiritual rituals.
Off the record: Luke 13:10-17
In a story that is unique to Luke, Jesus heals a nameless woman by giving her the freedom to unbend and stand up straight after she has lived for years in crippling bondage. The woman has not asked to be healed. She simply finds herself in Jesus’ presence—and that leads to healing and life for her. This beautiful story, however, is not without conflict.
Roll call: Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69
Jesus called the Twelve together and put the question to them with unsettling directness: Do you also wish to go away? I wonder sometimes how I would have responded to the question. Because at times the truth is I do wish to go away.
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.