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25th January 2026, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A
Matthew 4:12-234:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 4:13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 4:14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 4:15 “Land of Zebulun, land of…
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Preaching Paths 25 January 2026, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s Gospel reading, Mt 4:12-23, opens with the inauguration of Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (4:1-11), he learns that John the Baptist has been arrested and thrown into prison by Herod. Jesus, recognizing that it is dangerous to preach news of…
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Preaching Paths 18 January 2026 Second Sunday after the Epiphany Yr A
Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s gospel reading, John 1:29-42, is part of the “bridge” that connects the opening prologue of the gospel (1:1-18) to the Book of “Signs” (miraculous acts), and accompanying discourses, that comprise much of this gospel. After clarifying in 1:19-28 that he himself is not the Messiah, John…
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Preaching Paths 11 Jan 2026 Baptism of Our Lord Yr A
Sally A Brown, Professor of Preaching Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary We learn in the verses immediately preceding today’s text that crowds gathered at the Jordan both fascinated and terrified by John’s message of an imminent divine epiphany, a day of reckoning. John adjures them to “repent and be baptized.” According to Jewish law, one could…
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Preaching Paths 4 January 2026, 2nd Sunday after Christmas, Yr A
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Through Advent, Christmas Day, and the first Sunday of Christmastide, the preacher’s task has been to trace the ministry of John the Baptist, as well as Joseph’s crucial role, in the story of the arrival of Jesus, God’s Anointed One (Messiah). This week, we turn to John’s…
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Preaching Paths, 28 December 2025, First Sunday after Christmas Yr A
Sally A. Brown, Professor of Preaching and Worship Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary On the first Sunday after Christmas, the designers of the lectionary present us—rather awkwardly—with Matthew 2:13-23, the story of Herod’s slaughter of every baby boy in Bethlehem, aged two or younger. We learn, too, how Joseph is guided in dreams to take two…
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Preaching Paths 21 December 2025, Advent 4, Year A
Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s gospel text, Matthew 1:18-25, presents Matthew’s account of the birth of “Jesus the Messiah” (v 18). Matthew’s narrative contrasts strikingly with that of Luke, focusing not on Mary, but on Joseph. Joseph is typically portrayed in Nativity scenes simply standing by, mute and passive as the…
Insights into Biblical Greek Grammar and Syntax 