First Reading

photo of lamps burning
Commentary on Genesis 15:1-6

Under ideal conditions—no clouds, moon, or light pollution, and a full sky view—the naked human [...]

photo of wheat grains piling up
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23

During the Christian calendar’s “Ordinary Time,” Christians are invited to [...]

Detail from Anders Zorn's
Commentary on Genesis 18:20-32

Genesis 18:20–32, the gripping account of Abraham’s intercession for the [...]

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 [...]