Category: Theological reflection
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It’s a struggle—and a blessing
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 13, Year A, Track 1—August 2, 2026 Genesis 32:22-31Psalm 17:1-7,16Romans 9:1-5Matthew 14:13-21 The story of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of my favorites. It’s such a strange story. On the surface, it’s an etiology explaining how the patriarch Jacob came to also be…
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Oh, there’s a lot of stuff in that treasury.
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12, Year A, Track 1—July 26, 2026 Genesis 29:15-28Psalm 105:1-11, 45bor Psalm 128Romans 8:26-39Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 Traditional marriage, eh? <sigh> Today’s reading from Genesis is one I remember learning about as a child. I don’t remember much of how Sunday School teachers or others fielded any…
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The proximity of heaven
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11), Year A (Track 1)—July 19, 2026 Genesis 28:10-19aPsalm 139: 1-11, 22-23Romans 8:12-25Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 The lectionary today does not match the Genesis story to the Gospel we would expect. Perhaps I should have saved this work of art for a time when the two…
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“If it is to be this way, why do I live?”
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year A (Track 1)—July 12, 2026 Genesis 25:19-34Psalm 119:105-112Romans 8:1-11Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 I have to confess; I find that phrase of Rebekkah’s to be rather quotable. I mean, it applies a lot. Right? And while the illustration above might tell us more about medieval…
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“The King Will Have Pleasure in Your Beauty”
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A (Proper 9), Track 1—July 5, 2026Note: This is published way behind schedule, in part due to a power outage from July 3-July7 Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67Psalm 45: 11-18or Song of Solomon 2:8-13Romans 7:15-25aMatthew 11:16-19, 25-30 I was working as a verger at Grace Cathedral,…
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A story that won’t let us look away
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A (track 1), Proper 8—June 28, 2026 Genesis 22:1-14Psalm 13Romans 6:12-23Matthew 10:40-42 Readers of this blog will both be keenly aware, and breathe a sigh of relief knowing, that I am not a preacher. And I certainly don’t envy any preacher who might try…
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Do what, now?
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A (Track 1)—June 21, 2026 Genesis 21:8-21Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17Romans 6:1b-11Matthew 10:24-39 Take up your cross, the Savior said, if you would my disciple be;Take up your cross with willing heart,and humbly follow after me. (Hymn 675, Hymnal 1982, words by Charles William Everest, alt.)…
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Oak Trees and Icons
The Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Proper C, Track 1—June 14, 2026 Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)Psalm 116:1, 10-17Romans 5:1-8Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) Note: I apologize that this post is so late due to health issues combined with just being overly busy. I’m a city-dweller, and I feel that in my blood. But…
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When you’re called by God
The Second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5, Year A—June 7, 2026Track 1* Genesis 12:1-9Psalm 33:1-12Romans 4:13-25Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 *In the Episcopal Church, there are two “tracks” during Ordinary Time following Pentecost; each follows different readings from the Hebrew Scriptures and accompanying Psalms. You’ve gotta hear this song by Tara Vanflower:…
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Happy Pride!
(The kids are alright) Detroit’s Pride festivities are this weekend, but the whole month celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. And I should note upfront that the subject of this blog post is not my area of expertise, so please fact-check. I was grading papers this week. One student,…
The Sound 