16th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37 On the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Mark introduces us to a Jesus who, at the surface, sounds and acts very differently from what we are used to. First, Jesus here is not in a hospitable mood. He is distancing himself from the crowds …
The Word this Sunday – 09.01.24
15th Sunday after Pentecost De. 4:1-2, 6-9; Ps. 15; Ja. 1:17-27; Mk. 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 On the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Pharisees arrive in Galilee from Jerusalem (Mark 7:1). Jesus’ ministry is likely making waves. Through chapters 5 and 6, Jesus had been traveling back and forth, crossing the sea of Galilee, feeding multitudes, and …
The Word this Sunday – 08.25.24
14th Sunday after Pentecost Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69 The Bread of Life discourse reaches its climax on the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. The Rabbi from Nazareth, from where nothing good can come (John 1:46), has declared himself the bread of life that has come down from heaven (6:51). The bread …
The Word this Sunday – 08.11.24
12th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-8; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; John 6:35, 41-51 The common revised lectionary second installation of “The Bread Season” comes to us on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost. After trying to convey to the witnesses of the feeding miracle that he is little more than a provider of free food …
The Word this Sunday – 07.14.24
8th Sunday after Pentecost Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85:8-13; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 The 8th Sunday into the season after Pentecost brings to us an ugly scene full of human moral corruption that is perhaps second only to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Not by coincidence, what takes place is the beheading of our Messiah’s …
The Word this Sunday – 07.07.24
7th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 2:1-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 The seventh Sunday after Pentecost is all about the strength that comes only with the trust in God’s promises. In Mark, Jesus returns from the “other side” of the Sea of Galilee and is headed back to Nazareth, we assume. Once more, …
The Word this Sunday – 06.30.24
6th Sunday after Pentecost Lamentations 3:22-33; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43 The sixth Sunday after Pentecost brings another leg of Jesus and the disciples' adventures across the Sea of Galilee. Generally, “the other side” refers to the northeast or east side of the lake, which was mostly gentile territory at that time. Nonetheless, …
The Word this Sunday – 06.23.24
5th Sunday after Pentecost Job 38:1-11; Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 The nature of God's relationship with us is at full display in the texts for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, and it is especially encompassed in the 107th Psalm. The Psalm starts and ends with the fundamental character of God spelled …
The Word this Sunday – 06.16.24
4th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34 Creation comes proclaiming to us the radical grace of God on this 4th Sunday after Pentecost. It provides everything a seed needs to grow. If the sower scatters it on fertile ground and goes to take care of something else, the …
The Word this Sunday – 06.09.24
3rd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1; Mark 3:20-35 In the scene of the gospel of Mark this Sunday, everyone either wants to restrain Jesus or have a piece of him for themselves. The crowd, longing for healing and nourishment, will not even allow Jesus and the disciples to eat (3:20). …
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