First Reading

Detail from Nicolaes Maes'
Commentary on Genesis 18:1-10a

Genesis 18:1–10 tells the story of the Lord appearing to [...]

Detail from Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps'
Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:9-14

The narrative context of Deuteronomy situates this passage at a [...]

Detail from Camille Pissarro's
Commentary on Isaiah 66:10-14

At the close of the book of Isaiah, God and the prophet(s) choose to use [...]

Photo of a bronze sculpture by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz, on a bench beside St. Clement's church in Cambridge, Ontario.
Commentary on 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

I would wager that most of you who choose to [...]

Detail from the Ottheinrich Bible, ca. 1450.
Commentary on Isaiah 65:1-9

One of my favorite aspects of the prophets in general, and Isaiah specifically, is the [...]

Depiction of the Trinity, detail of stained glass windows in Saint Martin church, Courgenard, Sarthe, France.
Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

In Proverbs, Wisdom is a woman. Proverbs 8 represents the [...]

Photo of a sculpture representing the dove of the Holy Spirit in Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Rennes, Brittany, France.
Commentary on Acts 2:1-21

The Pentecost lectionary account takes place in Jerusalem on the feast day of Shavuot, 50 [...]

black and white photo of a praying hands statue
Commentary on Acts 16:16-34

Ripples of Freedom Acts 16:16–34 begins with a walk to the place of prayer. We [...]

Detail from Matheis Stöberl's
Commentary on Acts 1:1-11

Forty days after Easter in the liturgical calendar is a festival day, the Ascension of [...]

photo of a flying dove
Commentary on Acts 16:9-15

Placed by the Spirit Life in the Spirit is a wild ride. John 3:8 tells [...]