In the Lectionary
March 24, Palm Sunday B (Mark 11:1–11)
Jesus moves in the same direction as other pilgrims but at a pace and purpose that is his own.
March 24, Passion B (Mark 14:1–15:47)
We fix our gaze on the cross because if we look away we will miss something vital.
March 17, Lent 5B (John 12:20–33)
“If you really want to live you’ve gotta die” is a puzzle that could leave you off kilter your whole life long.
March 10, Lent 4B (Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14–21)
When John 3 came up I used to preach on the dangers of fixating on one verse. Now I cringe at that memory.
March 3, Lent 3B (John 2:13–22)
Whatever Jesus is attacking, it isn’t the practices of the people coming to the temple to worship.
February 25, Lent 2B (Mark 8:31–38)
What a roller coaster for the disciples: They are following the Messiah! And doing so will cost them everything.
February 18, Lent 1B (Mark 1:9–15)
Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.
February 14, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
How did my friend feel making a cross on my forehead, not knowing how long I’d be alive?
February 11, Transfiguration B (Mark 9:2–9)
What Peter, James, and John see on the mountain cannot be neatly packaged for resale.
February 4, Epiphany 5 (1 Corinthians 9:16–23; Mark 1:29–39)
Paul knew something about being an obnoxious weirdo.
January 28, Epiphany 4B (Mark 1:21–28)
All those years in scribe school count for nothing when one rustic with charisma comes along!
January 21, Epiphany 3B (Mark 1:14–20)
The gospels don’t depict John as much of an organization builder.
January 14, Epiphany 2B (John 1:43–51)
Jesus’ word of insight to Nathanael seems a lot like a carnival grift.
January 7, Baptism of the Lord B (Mark 1:4–11)
As if he were working on an assembly line, John dips and raises, dips and raises.
January 6, Epiphany (Matthew 2:1–12)
In welcoming the Magi into her home, Mary opens the door to the whole world.
December 31, Christmas 1B (Isaiah 61:10–62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4–7; Luke 2:22–40)
Simeon and Anna echo the worship material of ancient Israel.
December 24/25, Nativity of the Lord (Isaiah 9:2–7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11–14; Luke 2:1–20)
The God of exiles, refugees, and migrants still shines light amid today’s present darkness.
December 24, Advent 4B (Luke 1:26–38)
The traditional annunciation story bothers me even more than the word handmaid.
December 17, Advent 3 (John 1:6–8, 19–28)
In the wilderness, trying to find joy can be like trying to make a fire with wet matches.
December 10, Advent 2B (Isaiah 40:1–11; Mark 1:1–8)
There is a clear distinction between being comfortable and receiving comfort.