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Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Mark 8:27-38, dead center in Mark’s gospel, is pivotal, shifting the Gospel’s momentum from Jesus’ ministry toward his passion. Here, Mark resolves the sustained narrative tension between knowing readers (clear about Jesus’ identity since 1:1) and those inside the story who struggle to discern who Jesus is.…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s lection, Mark 7:24-37, includes two vivid healing stories set in Gentile territory. Previously, Jesus has rejected the widespread view in Judaism at the time that what one eats, or the company one keeps, can render one “unclean” (7: 23). As if to reinforce the point, Jesus…

Owing to travel, I shall not be posting comments for the lections of 1st, 8th, and 15th September. Meanwhile, Professor Sally Brown will be continuing with her Preaching Paths without interruption. – J. Petropoulos

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary A wide historical and cultural gap separates contemporary congregations from the world of today’s Gospel lection, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, and 21-23. A debate over ceremonial handwashing is not likely to generate waves of excitement in the pews. Simply acknowledging this fact early in the sermon can prop…

Ephesians 6:10-20 Put on the armor of God 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; 6:11 put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 6:12 for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In a time when aggressive, militarized versions of Christianity and other faiths are gaining strength around the globe, preachers may be inclined to avoid the battle armor imagery of today’s 2nd NT reading, Ephesians 6:10-20. Indeed, its rhetorical form most closely resembles peroratio, the rousing speech a…

Ephesians 5:15-20 Filled with the Spirit 5:15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 5:16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 5:17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, for…

Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary At first glance, today’s text (Eph 5:15-20) may seem to offer little homiletical traction. Not only is it telegraphically brief, but its language (“be wise … not foolish…because the days are evil”) is likely to strike modern listeners as antiquated and obscure. On the other hand, allusions…

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Put away evil, live in love 4:25So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. 4:26Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 4:27and do not make room for the devil. 4:28Those…