Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28; Matthew 25: 31-46 Preacher: Nancy DeRycke Wow! I just opened the Scripture readings for today and found it hard not to think the readings were written in today’s world! Ezekiel speaks God’s warning to the “shepherds” of Israel, who took advantage of and did great harm, battering, not tending or providing safety… read more →
Readings: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; I Thessalonians 5: 1-6; Matthew 25: 14-30 Preacher: Susan K. Roll On the first day of class in my seventh grade Home Economics class, the teacher went around and asked each girl in turn, “What does your father do?” and then, “What does your mother do?” Almost all of us could say what our father’s… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 6: 12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13 Preacher: Sr. Karen Dietz When I read the scriptures for this Sunday, I am first of all, reminded of a famous quote of St. Agustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Second, I think of one of my… read more →
Readings: Malachi 1: 14b-2:2b, 8-10; 1 Thessalonians 2: 7b-9, 13; Matthew 23: 1-12 Preacher: Margot Van Etten A huge Question underlies today’s readings. Actually, it underlies every event in human history and is asked of every person, constantly. Including each of us. Who or what is first in your heart? For the priests of Israel in Malachi’s day, the answer… read more →
Readings: Exodus 22: 20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10; Matthew 22: 34-40 Preacher: Susan Howard We have always needed God’s instruction to learn what love is. From the very beginning of time we have struggled to learn how to live together on this planet— how to survive complicated social structures, how to communicate with people, how to honor people’s differences. And so… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 45:1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Wow! There’s a lot to unpack in today’s readings, isn’t there? Isaiah makes a stunning announcement. His hearers must surely have been taken aback! The God of surprises is choosing a pagan king. Yes, a pagan king! Calling him anointed, that is, messiah, for heaven’s sake! Actually, that’s the… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 25: 6-10a; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-14 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Are we building a Jesus community, full of God’s Poured-Out Grace? I have been to the mountaintop. At least, to the mountaintop in Vermont that I know so well. It’s called Weston Priory—surrounded by the soft, lush green hills of Vermont. It is home to a Benedictine community… read more →
Ordinary Time 27 A One straightforward way of reading today’s Gospel is as an indictment of the chief priests and scribes of Jesus’ time. We can identify them with the tenant farmers who rejected the messengers and killed the king’s son. The story is a variation on an equally depressing passage in Isaiah, where God’s careful preparation of the vineyard… read more →
Readings: Ez 18:25-28; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32 Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore Our readings from Philippians and Matthew contain some powerful insights into Our Christian faith. Paul, in one of his original letters, shares with the Philippians behavioral patterns that set a rather high bar for them and for us. “Have in you the same attitude that is… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 55: 6-9; Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20: 1-6a Preacher: Susan Howard Sisters and Brothers, Paul makes it clear that the Kingdom of Heaven is for both genders. He is reiterating what Matthew has written in the Gospel that all people who work at being disciples will receive their reward of eternal life. Of course, you knew that, but… read more →