Free throws for Jesus? Yep, you read that right.

Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim offer a fresh take on the story of Jesus' transfiguration. And yes, it all leads to shooting free throws for Jesus. (Or something like that.)

Join Rev. Jim Keat as he talks with Rev. Dr. John J. Thatamanil about the sermon he will be preaching this Sunday at The Riverside Church, focusing on Luke 7:36-50. The passage recounts Jesus dining at Simon the Pharisee’s house when a woman, labeled a sinner by Simon, anoints Jesus' feet with perfume and tears. Reverend Dr. John Thatamanil, guest preacher and professor at Union Theological Seminary, discusses how Jesus continually disrupts social expectations by associating with those deemed “the wrong sorts.” He challenges the notion of accepting Jesus while rejecting the company he keeps, emphasizing that the only one calling the woman a sinner is Simon, not Jesus himself. This raises questions about how society labels and marginalizes people, and whether those judgments align with Jesus' perspective.

Dr. Thatamanil and the host explore the deeply intimate and scandalous nature of the woman’s actions, highlighting the physicality and radical love expressed in the passage. They discuss how Jesus not only accepts but welcomes such an extravagant display of love, suggesting that Christianity often sanitizes or ignores the bodily and emotional depth of faith. The conversation touches on how this passage confronts traditional notions of orderly love, contrasting it with a love that is boundary-breaking, embodied, and passionate. The discussion also critiques how some theologians and political figures, like JD Vance, attempt to impose a rigid, hierarchical order on love, in contrast to the radical inclusivity demonstrated by Jesus.

As the conversation concludes, Dr. Thatamanil reflects on how encountering infinite love in human form would shatter our categories and expectations, pushing us toward a more radical and transformative way of loving. He draws attention to the woman’s act of pouring out costly perfume—symbolizing an extravagant, self-giving love that challenges societal norms. The episode invites listeners to consider what it truly means to love God with all one’s strength, including the embodied, passionate, and scandalous dimensions of love that Jesus himself embraces. The upcoming sermon at Riverside promises to explore these themes in depth, offering a provocative and deeply theological reflection on this striking New Testament passage.

Sometimes we have a good idea where the sermon is headed when we record an episode of The Word Made Fresh. And other times we know the text and maybe have an inkling of an idea and then we just see what emerges from the conversation. This episode is definitely the latter. 

Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about the stories from Luke 7:1-17 and they both share ideas that blow each other away.

What happens when Jesus and his disciples break the rules? And why is it sometimes necessary to break the rules that stand in the way of justice?

Join Rev. Adriene Throne and Rev. Jim Keat as they talk with Minister Heelee Velez, the Associate Director of Education and Faith Formation at The Riverside Church, about the sermon she will be preaching this Sunday.

What does it mean to be a disciple? And what does it mean to preach the first Sunday after President Trump's (second) inauguration? Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk all about it!

Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they talk about all the ways you can find hope and inspiration this MLK Weekend at The Riverside Church. From a guest preacher on Sunday to an interfaith panel and the Broadway Inspirational Voices on Monday, this weekend at Riverside will fill you up so you can overflow with love and justice in the days, weeks, months, and (four) years to come.

Visit http://www.trcnyc.org to learn more.

Let's talk about the baptism of Jesus! Anyone hungry for honey-dipped locusts? Because John he Baptizer sure is!

Sit down with Rev. Jim Keat as he talks with Rev. Tim Dalton about the sermon he will be preaching this Sunday. You'll get a glimpse at what you might hear from the pulpit on Sunday as well as some fun facts about this text that you might not have noticed  before!

Listen in as Rev. Adriene and Rev. Jim talk about the sermon she will be preaching this Sunday at The Riverside Church.

Join Rev. Jim Keat as he talks with Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Weaver about the Narrative Lectionary text for Sunday, December 29, 2024 and the sermon she will be preaching. This is a conversation between two self-declared Bible geeks that you won't want to miss!

Join us for a deep dive into Luke 1:26-45—“Blessed is she who believed”—as we explore Mary’s extraordinary agency, faith, and leadership in the story of the Annunciation. This week’s reflection on the fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on Mary’s powerful role in the Christmas narrative, her relationship with Elizabeth, and the broader implications for women in leadership and faith.

We’ll also touch on the transformative power of women’s relationships, inspired by Adrienne Rich and Sojourner Truth, and consider how Mary’s story challenges traditional narratives about women’s roles in the church and beyond.

💡 Highlights:
The Beatitude of Mary: Blessed is she who believed.
Mary’s agency and permission-giving in her dialogue with God.
The supportive relationship between Mary and Elizabeth as a model for women’s solidarity.
Reflections on the importance of diverse voices in interpreting scripture.

✨ Upcoming Services:
🎄 Sunday Worship (Dec. 22): Music at 10:30 am ET, Worship at 11:00 am ET
🎄 Christmas Eve Services (Dec. 24):
4:00 pm ET: Family-Friendly Service with Jazz & Nativity
7:00 pm ET: Traditional Lessons & Carols

📍 Find more details and join us online or in person at http://www.trcnyc.org