Author Archives: Dave

Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 22:34-46 Sally, Barb and Moses Sally and Barb died a good death.It has been a hollowed year since the winter lastthat our friends of … Continue reading →

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Isaiah 45:1-7 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22 When Religious Pluralism Was the Law Cyrus the Great was not a modest man.He called himself the king of the world. His questfor power … Continue reading →

Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 32:1-14 Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14 The Parable of the Great Banquet The wedding feast was ready.Musicians were tuning up.The table was groaning with foodand wine filled the cups. The … Continue reading →

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4-14 Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants Hear a parable! The Lord created a vineyard.No other estate in the realm was quite so grand.He … Continue reading →

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32 Jesus Christ is Lord The oldest creed is a simple creed: Jesus Christ is Lord. These words can fiton a bumper sticker. The need … Continue reading →

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard I was an L.A. kid. My favorite sport was baseball. The weather was always kindenough for … Continue reading →

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 My Moment in Time Curving through a basalt cut, the slim-waisted river brings waters from the Two Oceans Plateau at Jackson Lake to the faraway … Continue reading →

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 On Selfish Prayer The Germans were fond of the slogan, Gott mit uns.*They wore these words on belt buckles and helmetsand they hoisted them on … Continue reading →

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Adversary Jesus was tempted to power not once but twice—before his ministry by the arch enemy Satanand a second time by Simon Peter, … Continue reading →

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Look Forward by Looking Back Sarah and Abraham were an odd pairfor nation building. They were old and childlesswhen the Lord made Abraham a promise:Look … Continue reading →

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28 On Slavery Joseph, the son of Jacob, was soldinto slavery by his jealous kin to merchants passing through. Eventually,he belonged to the captain of … Continue reading →

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost Year A Readings: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 Shalom The Lord restored the trickster Jacob and the Israelites who bore his namewhenever they fell into trouble and woetime and time again. Whenever … Continue reading →