3rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 This Sunday, the lectionary brings the exchange between Jesus and the lady at the well. It is the second of three consecutive weeks of profound and transformational encounters with the Christ in the gospel of John. The Samaritan from Sychar is almost the polar opposite of …
The Word Today – 03.05.23
2nd Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-19 As we advance in the Lent season we dive into a series of Sundays featuring the Gospel of John. In each of the texts, the individuals who encounter the light of the world have profound experiences. Their perception of how God is …
The Word Today- 02.26.23
1st Sunday in Lent Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 If you trust me, Jesus of Nazareth - somewhat says the devil - this is what is in for you. Conniving son of a gun. Humanity has always fallen for it (see the Genesis reading). He must have thought Jesus would do …
The Word Today- 02.22.23
Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Paul's ministry of reconciliation fits well with the meaning of our Ash Wednesday celebration and the beginning of our Lenten journey. His plea for the church in Corinth to be reconciled with God begins a few verses back (2 Corinthians 5:11) and …
The Word this Sunday – 02.19.23
Transfiguration Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 The location of the transfiguration passage, in the context of Matthew's narrative about Jesus' ministry, is interesting. Verse one opens with "six days later." Well, six days before, Jesus told the disciples that "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and …
The Word this Sunday – 02.12.23
6th Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37 God has always had the well-being of his people in mind since they were freed of slavery and oppression. The scene in Deuteronomy 30 finds the Hebrews about to cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan. God calls their memory about …
The Word this Sunday – 02.05.23
5th Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Matthew 5:13-20 Jesus' discipleship-defining discourse in Matthew continues this Sunday from where it left us last week. There, the final beatitude (Matthew 5:11-12) declares: "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on …
The Word this Sunday – 01.29.23
4th Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 The readings for this Sunday come to us as the nation watched another unarmed black man being murdered on national television. Not long ago, I heard the expression, "culture will have you for lunch." It does seem that human beings can not …
The Word this Sunday – 01.15.23
2nd Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7 ; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Today's gospel begins with the Baptizer pointing those around him to Christ, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" This is a big deal. It is believed Jaybee had a following, and some may …
The Word this Sunday – 01.08.23
Baptism of Our Lord Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 The voice of the Lord is powerful, and the author of the 29th psalm knows everything about it. It shakes the earth. When it moves upon the waters (verse 3), it is something to behold. It can create out of nothing (Genesis 1:1), …
Bridging Faith 