Monthly Archives: July 2012

Jeremiah 14:17-22; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13;Matthew 13:36-43 Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matthew 13:43) A once-popular bumper sticker read: “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” The saying referred to many things: government corruption, unjust wars, neglect of … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 13:1-11 (Psalm) deuteronomy 32:18-21;Matthew 13:31-35 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.” (Matthew 13:31) M.C. Escher was a Dutch artist known for creating prints that were optical illusions. What you first see in an Escher print is … Continue reading →

(2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15) “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” (John 6:9) Have you ever noticed that some­times when you bring your gifts to Jesus as this young … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 3:14-17; (Psalm) Jeremiah 31:10-13;Matthew 13:18-23 “Hear then the parable of the sower.” (Matthew 13:18) There is a lot of energy stored up in the natural world. For example, the most powerful atomic bomb ever detonated yielded the equivalent of … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 Psalm 36:6-11; Matthew 13:10-17 “Knowledge of the myster­ies of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you.” (Matthew 13:11) It’s a funny thing about Jesus’ par­ables. We are so familiar with them that we don’t think … Continue reading →

2 Corinthians 4:7-15;Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28 St. James We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8) St. Paul wrote this passage years after the apostle James was exe­cuted, but it’s … Continue reading →

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20;Psalm 85:2-8; Matthew 12:46-50 “Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin?” (Micah 7:18) How eloquently the prophet Micah proclaims God’s mercy for sin-ridden Israel! He paints a picture of a Creator who … Continue reading →

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8;Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 Matthew 12:38-42 “The Lord has a plea against his people.” (Micah 6:2) When we picture the Last Judg­ment, we often see a stern-faced God in regal robes. Trembling in ter­ror, each of … Continue reading →

  (Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34) “His heart was moved.” (Mark 6:34) In today’s Gospel, Jesus was encouraged because the apostles had just returned from a very suc­cessful missionary trip. They had healed some people, delivered oth­ers … Continue reading →

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; (Psalm) Isaiah 38:10-12, 16;Matthew 12:1-8 “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Matthew 12:7) Why did Jesus let his disciples break the Sabbath law? The Pharisees were right, weren’t they? After all, the third commandment tells us to … Continue reading →