The Gospel According to Matthew
Easter A2023 Matthew 28:1-10 Peter, James, and John, Matthew, Simon, and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus all desert Jesus and flee at his arrest. Judas, of course, betrays Jesus. The festival crowd gathered in …
Palm Sunday A2023 Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus sent disciples ahead of him to secure the donkey, and word spread quickly. The crowd probably got up early to prepare. To cut branches from palm trees. To gather their friends and family. To …
Transfiguration A2023 Matthew 17:1-9 Six days after Jesus predicts his own crucifixion, death, and resurrection, Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Jesus, dazzling and glorious, is transfigured before them. Moses and Elijah, prophets long dead, appear …
Epiphany 6A2023 Matthew 5:21-37 When I was 15, my sister and I attended the new years party of our friends who happened to be the sons of the other pastor at our church. (Our dad was one of the pastors, …
Epiphany 5A2023 Matthew 5:13-20 We are probably all aware that the Bible was not written, originally, in English. What language was the Old Testament originally written in? (a little portion in Aramaic too) What about the New Testament? (koine Greek, …
Epiphany 3A2023 Matthew 4:12-23 I’m in this to follow Jesus. Granted, there is something alluring about mystery and ritual and the rhythm of the church seasons. Granted, there is gift in connecting with people of various religious traditions as one …
Christmas 1A2023 Matthew 2:13-23 Imagine, having just been visited by wise men from the east, Joseph receiving the angel of the Lord in a dream. Imagine Joseph hearing of King Herod’s plan-to kill all children in and around Bethlehem two …
Advent 3A2022 Matthew 11:2-11 A few months after I bought my house near downtown Phoenix, I excitedly poured over the University of Arizona extension office planting guide to discover what vegetables I could seed in what seasons. With the help …
Advent 2A2022 Matthew 3:1-9 On Friday morning, I curled up on my couch with my laptop in my lap, wrapped in a blanket, shivering. After spending all day Thursday flat on my back with a horribly sore throat and brain …
Advent 1A2022 Matthew 24:36-44, Isaiah 2:1-5 Jesus sits outside the temple in Jerusalem with his disciples and teaches them about the destruction of the temple which would happen in 70 of the common era, about what would happen to them …