First Reading

Detail from painting depicting Herod's banquet, by Pedro García de Benabarre, ca. 1470
Commentary on Amos 7:7-15

Amos is a peculiar prophet in a couple of ways. First, he was a Judean [...]

dusty sandals
Commentary on Ezekiel 2:1-5

The book of Ezekiel situates us in an exilic community of Israelites in Babylon. This [...]

Hand reaching out to touch a rough surface
Commentary on Lamentations 3:22-33

Aaaugh!  Last week, I invited the preacher to consider counter-testimony [...]

waves in darkness
Commentary on Job 38:1-11

The season after Pentecost—an extended season of ordinary time—feels like Groundhog Day in the pulpit [...]

Flowering plant
Commentary on Ezekiel 17:22-24

The message of the book of Ezekiel is thoroughly informed [...]

Snake in dimly lit foliage
Commentary on Genesis 3:8-15

The relationship between God and the primeval couple undergoes a seismic change after they eat [...]

field of grain
Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:12-15

In the context of the Israelites’ journey to the promised [...]

Sculpture with bearded figure surrounded by three angels
Commentary on Isaiah 6:1-8

Isaiah 6:1–8 stands as a foundational passage in the book of Isaiah. It unveils a [...]

Ambulance with flashing lights streaming past lit building
Commentary on Acts 2:1-21

Throughout Christian history, Pentecost has been described as the birth of the Christian church. In [...]

Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles by Duccio di Buoninsegna
Commentary on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Amid all the joy and promise of Jesus’ resurrection and [...]