7th Sunday of Easter Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11 “Father, the hour has come.” Jesus opening line in his final prayer to the disciples before his arrest is loaded with many things. Certainly, with a personal sense of dread in anticipation of what is to come. Jesus prays for …
The Word Today – 05.14.23
6th Sunday of Easter Acts 17:22-34a; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-24 I am not sure if there is any other place in the gospels where the word love is as repeated as in the 14th chapter of John, verses 15 to 24. Here Jesus' farewell discourse continues from last Sunday when he tells …
The Word Today – 04.30.23
4th Sunday of Easter Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 The good shepherd discourse in the Gospel of John is a response to the episode involving the blind man healed at the pool of Siloam in the previous chapter. Due to his blindness from birth, he was rejected for perceived sins he …
The Word Today – 04.23.23
3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 The air continues to be a little heavy among Jesus' disciples after his death at the cross and the miracle of the resurrection. The road to Emmaus, however, provides us with Luke's perspective on Jesus appearing to the disciples and …
The Word Today – 04.16.23
2nd Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 The cross and the empty tomb forgive our sins, renew the body of Christ, and send it out to proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the sake of the world. Nonetheless, it is a very tough act to follow. The witnesses …
The Word Today – 04.09.23
Easter Sunday Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-15a The opposing crowds present when Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:8-11) have collided, and there was a false sense of both triumph and defeat. However, God was done at the cross. The great reversal for the ages arrives with very distinct tales to tell. Everybody …
The Word Today – 04.07.23
Good Friday Isaiah 52:13--53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1--19:42 The Reign of God made visible to us gets a challenge for the ages when its humble, stricken, and despised King faces off with the supreme leader of this world who brings on the fullness of his arsenal. Betrayal, lies, self-righteousness, violence, envy, fear, avarice, everything, …
The Word Today – 04.06.23
Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his disciples, as would be their custom as faithful Israelites. All the descendants of the Mount Sinai covenant gather on this yearly festival to remember the day God passed over …
The Word Today – 04.02.23
Palm Sunday Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 27:11-54 Jerusalem is in turmoil (Matthew 21:10). The festival of the Passover may have multiplied the regular city population by 6-fold. Israelites from all over the Mediterranean sea have arrived to observe their religious piety. They all bring different coins from their place of …
The Word Today – 03.26.23
5th Sunday in Lent Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 Our Lenten Journey with the Gospel of John comes to an end on the 5th Sunday in Lent. Three Sundays ago, we begin with Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night (John 3:2), possibly for fear of being seen with him. Nicodemus leaves that encounter hearing from Jesus …
Bridging Faith 