Category: Uncategorized

  • Preaching Paths 8 December 2024 Advent 2 Yr C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary No Gospel writer devotes more attention to the figure of John the Baptist than Luke. Matthew, Mark and John bring John the Baptizer onto the scene abruptly, without preamble. He appears in the wilderness along the Jordan River, preaching the imminent coming of the reign of God…

  • 1st December 2024, First Sunday of Advent, Year C

    Luke 21:25-36 Watch for the coming of the Son of Man 21:25″There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 21:26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for…

  • Preaching Paths 1 December 2024  Advent 1 Year C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Advent opens every year, not with choirs of angels, but with some version of what is known as the “Synoptic apocalypse,” found in Mt 24, Mk 13, and Luke 21. In these parallel texts, Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem, including its magnificent Temple. He foretells persecution…

  • Proper 29 (34), 24th November 2024

    John 18:33-37 The kingdom of Christ 18:33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 18:34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 18:35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief…

  • Preaching Paths 24 November 2024, Feast of Christ the King, Year B

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary On this final Sunday of the Year B lectionary cycle, the Feast of Christ the King, we turn to John for the gospel text, John 18:33-37. Before us is the second of seven short scenes that make up a brief, but intense and decisive drama in John’s…

  • Preaching Paths 17 November 2024 Proper 28B

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Jesus delivers several predictions, a promise, a warning, and an admonition in today’s gospel reading, Mark 13:1-8. Jesus’ predictions point to a double horizon. When an awestruck disciple admires the temple’s “great stones,” Jesus predicts the temple’s destruction (v. 2). At v 4, the scene shifts to…

  • Proper 28 (33), 17th November 2024

    Mark 13:1-8 The end and the coming of the Son 13:1As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 13:2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be…

  • Proper 27 (32), 10th November 2024

    St Mark 12:38-44 A widow’s generosity 12:38As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces 12:39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 12:40They devour widows’ houses and for the sake…

  • Preaching Paths 10 November 2024 Proper 27B

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary For centuries, the widow we meet in today’s lection (Mark 12:38-44) has been valorized as an exemplar of self-denying generosity. But in recent years, scholars have argued that Jesus calls attention to this widow, not as an example to be followed, but because she is a victim…

  • Proper 26 (31), 3rd November 2024

    Mark 12:28-34 Two commandments: love God and neighbor 12:28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 12:29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 12:30you…