First Reading

Isaiah 64:8
Commentary on Isaiah 64:1-9

Isaiah 64:1-3 depicts God as the one who “tears open the heavens” and causes wildfire [...]

Isaiah 40:8
Commentary on Isaiah 40:1-11

What an interesting array of metaphors in this pivotal text. It combines images of comfort [...]

May those who sow in tears
Commentary on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Who am “I”? That sounds like a philosophical question, but [...]

Greetings, favored one!
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Within David’s checkered story (a patchwork of triumph and downfall) [...]

Let the sea roar
Commentary on Isaiah 61:10—62:3

Isaiah’s poem is a song for today. An overture resonant [...]

The light shines in the darkness
Commentary on Isaiah 52:7-10

Beauty. Good tidings. Peace. Salvation. Joy. Comfort.1 These aesthetic marks of the Nativity of Our [...]

The light shines in the darkness
Commentary on Isaiah 52:7-10

Beauty. Good tidings. Peace. Salvation. Joy. Comfort. These aesthetic marks of the Nativity of Our [...]

You will find a child
Commentary on Isaiah 9:2-7

Plans: I am very good at making them. I plan my vacations. I plan my [...]

When they saw that the star had stopped
Commentary on Isaiah 60:1-6

The contrast of light and darkness is ancient and universal spanning cultures and religions. It’s [...]

Descending like a dove
Commentary on Genesis 1:1-5

Whenever I teach Hebrew language, I always give students Genesis 1:1-6 to read before they [...]