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Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28
Proper 15A
The lectionary’s focus is on the story of the Canaanite woman’s transforming conversation with Jesus but also provides us with the preceding section where Jesus teaches about holiness being measured by what’s within—much to the chagrin of the Pharisees. The two scenes are connected by a participle in verse 21: having discussed that it’s what…
Matthew 14:22-33
Proper 14A
Jesus finally gets that alone time he yearned for when hearing about John the Baptist’s death (see verse 13). He first sends the disciples away, presumably so that they will not dutifully follow him up the hill later, but perhaps also because he wants to give them a rest too. After all, they just catered…
Matthew 14:13-21
Proper 13A
The ominous words that open our story immediately make us curious: what happened? Jesus hears something and feels the need to withdraw to a deserted place by himself. The emphasis on his desire to be alone is clear, even as we come to realize from verse 15 that the disciples have come with them (that’s…
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Proper 12A
Comments, Questions, and Observations Our text today closes with this beautiful description: to truly be instructed in God’s kingdom is to be able to share new treasures alongside old. Our faith isn’t just an “old-time religion” but a living one that continues to grow and have impact. Each generation adds to the treasures of heaven…
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Proper 11A
In the midst of a number of parables about the Kingdom, Jesus gives us another one leaning into the imagery of seeds and plants and weeds. This one is told to the crowd but only explained to the disciples. We might read some significance into the fact that Jesus is expounding upon the muckiness of…
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Proper 10A
We have the benefit of Jesus’s own interpretation for this parable, though the parable itself is told to one group and the explanation is only given to the disciples. It shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus emphasises the nature of the ground onto which the sower throws the seeds because it reveals his heart: as the…
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Proper 9A
Over the next number of weeks the lectionary will be giving us pairs of verses that skip over sections. Although some of us will feel relieved to not have to address things like the “woes” that are in verses 20-24 of chapter 11, some of us might feel like an interpretative angle has been forced…
Matthew 10:40-42
Proper 8A
The lectionary gives us a whole sermon to focus on what translators like to label as the “Rewards” section of Jesus’s mission instructions. What a misleading title! I mean, it makes sense why we like the title: who doesn’t like a prize? And we’ve also been chugging along for a few weeks now listening to…
Matthew 10:24-39
Proper 7A
We continue this week with Jesus speaking to his disciples as he commissions them to go out and to heal, cure, and generally spread the good news. But these words have such a ring to them that it’s also pretty clear that there’s something bigger, more universally true, being said here than some warnings for…
Matthew 9:9-13,18-26
Proper 5A
Notice who is willing to utilize the doctor in their midst. First of all, even a tax collector becomes a disciple! That tax collector is joined by others, sinners and cheats every one, at dinner with Jesus. The waiting room is full! And though some of the Pharisees complain about this practice, there is one…
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