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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Preaching Paths 3 November 2024 Proper 26B
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In this week’s lection (Mark 12:28-34), Mark surprises us. We meet a scribe who is sympathetic, not antagonistic, to Jesus. We find him lingering nearby, listening in while three sets of Jewish leaders question Jesus, hoping to catch him opposing either Jewish or Roman legal codes. First,…
Insights into Biblical Greek Grammar and Syntax 