Home »
Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 Sermon Commentary
Proper 25C
Dialoguing with God This text—not just the parts chosen by our Lectionary editors but the whole chapter—offers a beautiful example of God and God’s people in relationship, dialoguing and talking out their differences. In this case (and, to be honest, most cases), their difference of opinion shows up over sin, over human failure to keep…
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Sermon Commentary
Proper 25C
I’ve always wondered if Paul’s hands didn’t shake at least a bit as he wrote, “The time for my departure [analyseos*] is near [ephesteken] (6).” Or if his brow furrowed with a sort of defiance as he penned in verse 7, “I have fought [egonismai] the good fight [kalon agona]” (7). Or if the aging…
Luke 18:9-14 Sermon Commentary
Proper 25C
A Pharisee and a tax collector walk into the temple to pray… It sounds like it could be the start of a bad joke. And in some ways, it is—especially as you read Eugene Peterson’s version in The Message: “The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not…
Psalm 84:1-7 Sermon Commentary
Proper 25C
Psalm 84 is a lovely poem and song and at just a dozen verses, it’s a fairly short song at that. So why the RCL would have us take up only the first seven verses is a mystery to me. Aside from a passing reference to “the wicked,” verses 8-12 simply continue the radiant imagery…
Commentary posted on October 20, 2025
Proper 25C Sermon Commentary
The Proper 25C Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for Luke 18:9-14 from the Lectionary Gospel; Joel 2:23-32 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 84:1-7 from the Lectionary Psalms; and 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Epistle: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 63 (Lord’s Day 24)