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Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 Sermon Commentary
Proper 15A
By going to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus enters a borderland—where the people of Israel give way to a more Canaanite population. Considering closely what the woman says throughout this pericope, it’s clear that she knows some things about Judaism, and she’s come to believe some things about Jesus. This borderland, this place…
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Sermon Commentary
Proper 15A
God’s “mercy” (eleos) is the shining center and beating heart of this Sunday’s (strangely) divided Epistolary Lesson. After all, while Paul uses the word only in this text’s second part, it’s also actually one of the unstated themes of its first half. In that way, God’s mercy serves as a kind of bridge between Romans…
Psalm 67 Sermon Commentary
Proper 15A
When we think of getting a blessing, we tend to focus on ourselves as the recipient of something good—something that will be good for us, something that will benefit us. The classic Aaronic Benediction from Numbers 6—that is clearly echoed in Psalm 67:1—is a good example. When I give this benediction in church, I am…
Genesis 45:1-15 Sermon Commentary
Proper 15A
After chapters and chapters of third person narration, reading Joseph’s story through someone else’s lens, we might come to this chapter eager to hear how Joseph makes sense of the unfolding events. At last, Joseph lets his brothers know who he is. He tells his own story. He could have told a story about a…
Commentary posted on August 20, 2023
Proper 15A Sermon Commentary
The Proper 15A Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 from the Lectionary Gospel; Genesis 45:1-15 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 67 from the Lectionary Psalms; and Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 from the Lectionary Epistle.