Alternate First Reading

Mark 6:31
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-14a

This passage marks an important transition in the story of [...]

John 6:11
Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:1-15

The appearance of this text at a time when news [...]

Mark 10:14
Commentary on Job 1:1; 2:1-10

Most readers come to the book of Job with the issue of theodicy at the [...]

Amos 5:11
Commentary on Job 23:1-9, 16-17

The previous week’s lectionary reading recalled the introductory chapters in [...]

Mark 10:39
Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41]

After the two introductory chapters in the book of Job, [...]

Mark 10:47
Commentary on Job 42:1-6, 10-17

In the opening chapters of the book of Job, a [...]

Mark 12:31
Commentary on Ruth 1:1-18

The book of Ruth is a gritty story about poverty, loss, risk, and survival. To [...]

1 Kings 17:12
Commentary on Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

The book of Ruth’s gritty beginning eventually finds its way [...]

Mark 13:2
Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:4-20

The saga of the kings of Israel begins in an unlikely way with the story [...]

2 Samuel 23:3-4
Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:1-7

On this Christ the King Sunday, we hear about the ideal king from the “sweet [...]