Year ALentSecond Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-17 Contextual Background: God calls Abram to go to a new land, promising blessing for all mishpachot (clans, tribes, nations). In the gospel, Nicodemus comes at night, seeking to understand Jesus’ teaching on new […]
Year ALentFirst Sunday in Lent Matthew 4:1-11 Contextual Background: After baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested. The devil tempts him with bread, spectacle, and power. Jesus resists by trusting God’s word. Within the Jewish Tradition: […]
Year ALentAsh WednesdayMatthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Contextual Background: Jesus warns against practicing piety for show — giving, praying, fasting to win human approval. Instead, he points to hidden practices that draw us deeper into God’s life. He concludes with: “Where your treasure is, […]
Year AEpiphanyTransfiguration SundayMatthew 17:1-9 Contextual Background: On the mountain, Jesus shines; Moses and Elijah appear; the Voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” The vision prepares disciples for the way of the cross. Jesus is a public leader, leading […]
Year AEpiphanySeventh Sunday after the Epiphany Matthew 5:38-48 Contextual Background: “Eye for eye” limited vengeance; Jesus goes further: do not retaliate in kind, turn the other cheek, go the second mile, love enemies, pray for persecutors; be teleios (mature) like the Father. […]
Year AEpiphanySixth Sunday after the Epiphany Matthew 5:21-37 Contextual Background: “You have heard… but I say to you”—anger, contempt, lust, divorce, oaths. Jesus intensifies Torah toward the heart: reconciliation, dignity, integrity. Divorce was being used, by some, as an legal cover for […]
Year AEpiphanyFifth Sunday after the EpiphanyMatthew 5:13-20 Contextual Background: “You are the salt of the earth… the light of the world.” Jesus fulfills (not abolishes) the Torah and calls for a righteousness that surpasses reputation-based religion. Within the Jewish Tradition: Salt = […]
Year AEpiphanyFourth Sunday after the Epiphany Matthew 5:1-12 Contextual Background: Jesus ascends a hill, sits like a wisdom teacher, and pronounces blessing on the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers, and the persecuted. Within the […]
Year AEpiphanyThird Sunday after the EpiphanyMatthew 4:12-23 Contextual Background: After John’s arrest, Jesus relocates to Capernaum. Isaiah’s promise of light in “Zebulun and Naphtali” frames his launch. He proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” calls fishers, and begins […]
Year AEpiphanySecond Sunday after the Epiphany John 1:29-42 Contextual Background: John points to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Two disciples follow, and when Jesus asks what they are seeking, they answer, “Where are […]