“Eyes Up” (A45: Proper 22)
Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:7-15; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46 “Tell me,” says Holloway Blake, “what will you leave behind so that you can move ahead? Who is Christ to you? What will you do with your...
“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...
“The Journey to Forgiveness” (A42: Proper 19)
Genesis 50:15-21; Psalm 103:(1-7),8-13; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 Davis argues that forgiveness is one of the hardest yet most necessary acts of faith and human wholeness. Using Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers, Davis shows that...
“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...