Gospel

Photo of a bronze sculpture by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz, on a bench beside St. Clement's church in Cambridge, Ontario.
Commentary on Luke 9:51-62

In this week’s lectionary text, the story begins in a Samaritan village. In my initial read, I [...]

Detail from the Ottheinrich Bible, ca. 1450.
Commentary on Luke 8:26-39

If there is one thing the gospels agree on, it is that Jesus performed miracles [...]

Depiction of the Trinity, detail of stained glass windows in Saint Martin church, Courgenard, Sarthe, France.
Commentary on John 16:12-15

Holy Trinity Sunday is an invitation to consider the mystery of God’s expansive nature as [...]

Photo of a sculpture representing the dove of the Holy Spirit in Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Rennes, Brittany, France.
Commentary on John 14:8-17 [25-27]

I want us to start with an assumption: The disciples [...]

black and white photo of a praying hands statue
Commentary on John 17:20-26

Let’s be honest. This excerpt from the Farewell Discourse in John reads like a messy [...]

Detail from Matheis Stöberl's
Commentary on Luke 24:44-53

The Ascension is not an easy day to preach. Luke is the only gospel that [...]

photo of a flying dove
Commentary on John 14:23-29

The final night’s conversation between Jesus and his disciples continues. Jesus has made clear that [...]

Detail from Corita Kent's
Commentary on John 13:31-35

In all three years of the Revised Common Lectionary, the Gospel readings for Easter 5 [...]

Detail from The Christ Pantocrator of St. Catherine's Monastery at Sinai, a 6th-century encaustic icon.
Commentary on John 10:22-30

The author of John is skilled at weaving layers of themes into the Gospel’s stories. [...]

Detail from Duccio di Buoninsegna's painting
Commentary on John 21:1-19

Scholars often refer to John 21 as the epilogue of the Gospel. It’s possible that [...]