Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 14:1-11

When Christ asked the Pharisees whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, he was really asking whether they knew the purpose of this day of rest. And in the end, he is asking them if they know God’s salvation in the first place. And to this, they have no reply. For the Pharisees,Continue reading “Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 14:1-11”

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 7:11-17

Seen in last Sunday’s gospel reading, with Jesus preaching that we should not be anxious about our lives. That we should look to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and God provided for them, so how much more will he provide for us? For Jesus says, “Seek the kingdom andContinue reading “Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 7:11-17”

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 6:24-34

Christ says in this portion of his Sermon on the Mount that even the Gentiles seek food, drink, clothing, and shelter from their creator. Therefore, he tells his disciples that those who would acknowledge him to be the only Son of God do not seek from the Lord what the Gentiles do. He teaches thatContinue reading “Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 6:24-34”

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 17:11-19

The Lord Christ has mercy upon those who call upon him, even those who will no longer believe, as his blood cleanses all from the leprosy of sin. While Christ knows that only one, the sick man from Samaria, will truly acknowledge him as the one high priest and Son of God, he has mercyContinue reading “Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 17:11-19”

Holy Cross Day John 12:20-33

On this holy cross day, consider how foolish the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is.   Crucifixion was not the sentence given to an honorable man. Crucifixion was reserved for hardened criminals, repeat offenders, and dangerous threats to society. For not even Paul the apostle could have been crucified, as he was a RomanContinue reading “Holy Cross Day John 12:20-33”

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Mark 7:31-37

How great it would be to have friends such as these? Friends who have heard of the marvelous deeds of our Lord Christ, and they bring their friend so that he, too, may hear the word of the Lord and profess his holy name with his mouth. The dear Jesus comes across the Sea ofContinue reading “Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Mark 7:31-37”

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Luke 18:9-14

It is certainly easy to read the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and to say that we are the latter. Since we are Christians, we are the humble tax collectors who beat our chests and ask for God’s mercy to pardon our sins. And that the Pharisee in the parable represents theContinue reading “Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Luke 18:9-14”

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 19:41-48

Our Lord’s chief desire is to show mercy and pity through his mighty power. Today, Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, a word that means the city of peace. The City of God, Holy Zion, the center of the world in the eyes of the people of Israel. Jerusalem, the city that killedContinue reading “Tenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 19:41-48”

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Luke 16:1-13

Christ our Lord speaks in parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God, as they are often contrary to how we see the world. The parable of the unjust Steward is no different, as he acts foolishly in the eyes of the world, but is commended and praised by his heavenly father forContinue reading “Ninth Sunday after Trinity Luke 16:1-13”

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Matt. 7:15-23

In our gospel reading, as Jesus is nearing the end of the Sermon on the Mount, he warns against false prophets. Christ has spent the three previous chapters of Matthew’s Gospel teaching the correct interpretation of the law of God. The law of God, the Ten Commandments, makes sin a matter of the heart. ItContinue reading “Eighth Sunday after Trinity Matt. 7:15-23”