“Blessings or … Spoils?” (A44: Proper 21)
Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 Freemyer interprets Matthew 21:23-32 as a confrontation between Jesus and religious elites who protect power through hypocrisy. Freemyer’s s sermon contrasts those who claim righteousness but refuse...
“Jesus and the Working Poor” (A43: Proper 20)
Jonah 3:10–4:11; Psalm 145:1-8; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 De La Torre explores the story of the “workers in the vineyard” from Matthew 20, and he says we need to stop “spiritualizing” the meaning. Instead, De...
“What’s Love Got to Do With It?” (A41: Proper 18)
Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Wingfield uses Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” to frame a critique of Christians who neglect Jesus’ command to love their neighbors. Drawing on...
“Space to Thrive” (A33: Proper 10)
Isaiah 55:10-13; Psalm 65:(1-8),9-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Fowler focuses on the Parable of the Sower, saying: “Jesus tells us the problem is not with our words, the problem is what happens after our words...
“God Will See to It” (A31: Proper 8)
Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4,15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 Martin says: “Whether in the year 700 BCE, 30 CE or today in 2026 the situation remains the same: not everyone will be on the same page...