Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-31 & Matthew 21:23-32 - How often do any of us think about repentance? And yet, repentance is to be a hallmark of the lives of those who follow God. In the texts appointed for this week, Ezekiel and Jesus undermine assumptions about who needs to repent, and when. The best day to repent is today!

Jonah 3:10-4:11 & Matthew 20 - recently a colleague talked about why and when he prays imprecatory prayers against those who work great evil in the world. And, I totally get it. But, reading Jonah and the Gospel appointed for this week, I just don't think we get to do that. What do you think?

Genesis 50:15-21 & Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness is NOT having a moment. Some branches of Christianity are infatuated with violence and would try to draft the Prince of Peace to their side to promote vengeance. Other folks, understandably, are concerned about the ways that toxic abusers have weaponized "forgiveness" to preclude accountability, reform and harm reduction. I see the lectionary passages this week helping to explain a healthy and truer understanding of forgiveness that avoids excusing wrong AND hypocrisy.

Ezekiel 33:7-11; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 - Listen, pursuing the sibling comes RIGHT AFTER pursuing the lost sheep.

Romans 12:9-21 & Matthew 16:21-28 - Whatever else, Christians cannot participate in state violence.

Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20

So many folks are only worried about believing the right thing. And, don't get be wrong, believing wrong stuff is harmful. Also, belief is not nearly enough to build up the Kingdom of Heaven. Belief demands actions, as the lectionary texts for this week show.

Isaiah 56:`, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:10-28 - So much of the national political discourse in the States is talking about foreigners and foreignness. Well, the Bible isn't exactly silent on the topic...

1 Kings 19:9-18 & Matthew 14:22-33 - Elijah on Mt. Horeb and Jesus walking on the water aren't the most closely related passages, until we see some beautiful symmetry comparing worship to kisses.

Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Matthew 114:13-21

"An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away!" - Proverbs 13:23

This week, the lectionary texts take aim at how greed and markets lead to material inequity and distraction from God's words.

Psalm 119:129-136 & Matthew 13:31-33. 44-52 - Look, we all have our favorite books of the Bible, and those that we usually steer clear of, right? This week in the readings, Jesus makes a case for reading the whole collection of Scripture!