• Proper 11 • Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 • July 17, 2011

    By Travis J. Scholl Consider this act two in the grand dramatic entrance of the parables into the Gospel of Matthew and the Matthean lectionary, the second of three consecutive readings of Matthew…

  • Proper 10 • Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 • July 10, 2011

    By Francis C. Rossow From childhood on we’ve known the scriptural truth that hearing affects living. Only the word of God can create faith in our hearts and good in our lives. The…

  • Proper 9 • Matthew 11:25–30 • July 3, 2011

    By Paul Philp Jesus has just concluded speaking words of woe upon the cities where the response to his proclamation among them was ignored and rejected. This word of harsh condemnation makes it…

  • Proper 8 • Matthew 10:34–42 • June 26, 2011

    By David Peter Liturgical Context This text is appointed for this date simply because it falls in the sequence of the lectio continua for the gospel readings from Matthew’s Gospel. The theme is…

  • Holy Trinity • Matthew 28:16–20 • June 19, 2011

    By Jeffrey A. Oschwald Trinity Sunday is “the celebration of the richness of the being of God . . . the occasion of a thankful review of the now completed mystery of salvation,…

  • Pentecost • John 7:37–39 • June 12, 2011

    By R. Reed Lessing “The Fly-Over Lands of our Lives” John’s Use of Water Our Lord’s turning water into wine at the Cana wedding (Jn 2:1–11) makes Jesus the focal point of water…

  • Easter 7 • John 17:1–11 • June 5, 2011

    By William W. Schumacher In the Heidelberg Disputation (1518), Martin Luther drew a stark contrast between a “theologian of glory” and a “theologian of the cross,” and that distinction may still make a…

  • Easter 6 • John 14:15–21 • May 29, 2011

    Textual Considerations John 14:1–14 serves as the gospel for the previous Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Easter. While John 14:15–21 is the gospel for the sixth Sunday of Easter, the words of…

  • Easter 5 • John 14:1–11 • May 22, 2011

    by Charles Arand “And That’s the Rest of the Story” [This text provides an excellent opportunity for instruction on the Trinity. The following provides a potential pattern for how the sermon could…