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Matthew 25:14-30
Proper 28A
This parable about what we do with ourselves as we wait for Christ’s return seems to be getting us ready for Advent a little early. Given that it is still Ordinary time, though, we can find our emphasis in the call to discipleship found in this story rather than the focus on Christ our Master’s…
Matthew 25:1-13
Proper 27A
This story definitely wants us to pay attention to the mistakes of the foolish: they are unprepared and do not care to plan or to think about what they need to do in their role as a bridesmaid. Thus, when the big moment comes for them to escort the groom to the house where the…
Matthew 23:1-12
Proper 26A
Jesus has confounded and humbled the leaders by his words, challenging them in such a way that they have had to realize that they do not, in fact, know it all. As we ended last week, the leaders of the synagogue are not able to answer Jesus’s question about the Messiah and now they do…
Matthew 22:34-46
Proper 25A
These two sections seem like odd bedfellows, as though Jesus seized the opportunity of having the Pharisees “gathered together” to give them a little food for thought. But maybe they are more connected than they seem. Are these the same Pharisees that sent their servants to challenge and entrap Jesus earlier in the chapter (last…
Matthew 22:15-22
Proper 24A
The challengers come to Jesus feeling sly and like they have an Ace in their pocket. They leave their encounter with Jesus amazed even though they have “lost.” You’d think they had just watched a street performer do the most amazing trick they’ve ever seen! What’s probably happened, though, if they were truly listening to…
Matthew 22:1-14
Proper 23A
This is the third in a series of parables targeting the temple leaders. It all started as they confronted Jesus about his authority because of the way he disrupted their domain. Jesus first challenged them to consider their obedience to God, then he challenged them to consider the way they were abusing God’s gifts to…
Matthew 21:33-46
Proper 22A
Jesus continues speaking to the temple leaders who have confronted him about his authority. He has refused to answer them directly and has instead told them a parable that compares the leaders to people who say yes when their father asks them to do something but then don’t do it. Their disobedience is akin to…
Matthew 21:23-32
Proper 21A
On the heels of cleansing the temple and cursing the fig tree, Jesus re-enters the holy place and is interrupted by temple leaders while he is teaching. It is a bit more intense than the librarian coming over and asking you to stop talking on your phone in the shared space; these guys want to…
Matthew 20:1-16
Proper 20A
Right before Jesus tells this parable, he talks with his disciples about the rewards for following him. Peter, seemingly filled with awe, says, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you! What then will we have?” (19:27) The reward Jesus describes to him is stellar, even if it is given to “everyone who has left houses…
Matthew 18:21-35
Proper 19A
As we discussed last week, Peter’s question about forgiveness escalates as it personalizes the conversation about wrongs done against one another. Whereas last week intentionally sets accountability front and centre, this week forgiveness takes center stage. The two belong together. We might understand the parable as describing internal accountability: we have been forgiven and therefore…
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