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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…
Matthew 18:15-20
Proper 18A
These are tricky times, full of cancel culture, rejection of woke culture, scandals and “rehabs” leading to readmittances—well at least for some. In times like these, how do we make sure we’re living the spirit of this passage rather than the literal letter of the procedure Jesus describes here? Looking at the textual clues around…
Matthew 16:21-28
Proper 17A
From the highest of highs in their relationship with one another to a new low point, Peter goes from identifying and worshipping Jesus as the true Messiah to Jesus calling out Peter’s collusion with the devil. Jesus looks right at Peter as he tells to the evil one to shove off and quit trying to…
Matthew 16:13-20
Proper 16A
Comments, Questions, and Observations This passage sits in the middle of the gospel of Matthew. It is the first time that the term “Messiah” is applied to Jesus Christ, and it is the first time that the church (ecclesia) is mentioned. It’s also the moment that Simon Peter becomes Peter in the narrative, the rock…
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
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 and lives in the…
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…
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