In the Bible readings assigned in the BCP for Proper 19A the overall theme is that of active forgiveness that exists between members in the community of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit. The texts reveal abundant reward from the hand of God where it exists and deadly consequences where it does not. In the…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 18A
Our Lordโs fourth major teaching discourse in Matthew (18:1-35) is addressed to the disciples and covers some of the stickiest aspects of maintaining fellowship in the Church. This Sunday in Proper 18A, the assigned Gospel reading in Matthew 18:15-20 takes the worshiper to the middle section of that discourse with instructions on how to proceed…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 17A
We come now in Proper 17A to Jesusโ first prediction of his crucifixion and resurrection, followed by that heart-stopping teaching, โIf anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.โ In Matthew, Mark and Luke (the so-called Synoptic Gospels) there are as many as three such predictions…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 16A
Following the overall structure of the Gospel of Matthew in Year A, we find ourselves coming to the confession of Peter at Caesarea Philippi later in the season of Pentecost. (In Year C, following Luke, the parallel reading of this event appearing earlier in the Gospel also comes up earlier in Pentecost, Proper 7C). The…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 15A
At this point In our walk with Jesus in Pentecost Year A, we come near the end of his ministry in the north (Galilee) before he journeys to Jerusalem and the cross. The Collect for the week is yet another plea to God for preservation in our earthly life: โKeep us from all things hurtful,…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 14A
This week we continue with Jesus on the move in his ministry, now hearing the account of the miracle of his walking on water. At mid-Pentecost in both Year A and Year B the church assigns this reading following the feeding of the 5000, just as it is described as immediately after that event in…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 13A
Continuing in the Gospel of Matthew in Year A, the Proper 13 Gospel reading takes the church back on the trail of the itinerant ministry of Jesus. Over the course of the three-year Sunday lectionary, we hear the account of the feeding of the 5,000 three timesโtwice in Year B at Lent 4 (John) and…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 12A
This week the church would have us finish with the parables that make up Jesusโ third major teaching discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. The themes of growth and value and abundance in the revelation of the kingdom of God through the ministry of the Son continue at front and center. The appointed Collect is…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 11A
In our walk with Jesus in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:6) through the liturgical year, we continue (following Matthew in Year A) into the most prolific period of our Lordโs earthly ministry. The appointed Collect petitions the Father God that โweโ (the whole church) might imitate Jesus in his ministry,…
Today in the Spirit: Proper 10A
In Year A of the Sunday lectionary, the Matthew year, we move with that Gospelโs revelation of Jesusโ ministry in Galilee from initiation to maturation. Fittingly, for the next four Sundays we will sit under Jesusโ third major teaching discourse in Matthew, the parables of Matthew 13:1-52, in which the themes are planting and growth….