Tag: christianity

  • 6th July 2025, 4th Sunday after Pentecost

    Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Jesus sends out seventy disciples 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 10:2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of…

  • Preaching Paths 6 July 2025, Proper 9C, Luke 10:1-11,16-20

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Getting a clear understanding of the narrative context of today’s lection—geographical, temporal, and cultural—is a first step toward fruitful interpretation of Luke’s story of the “mission of the seventy.”* In the closing verses of ch 9, Jesus has 1) begun his journey to Jerusalem [9:51]; 2) decided…

  • Preaching Paths 29 June 2025,  Luke 9:51-62,  Proper 8 Yr C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s reading, Luke 9:51-62, begins the long section of Luke’s gospel  known as Jesus’ “Jerusalem journey” (9:51-19:27). His face is now “set firmly” toward Jerusalem (v 51) where he is destined to fulfill his mission, at the cost of his life. The route is, in fact, geographically…

  • 22nd June 2025, Year C, Proper 7 (12)

    St Luke 8:26-39 Jesus casts out demons 8:26 Then they arrived at the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 8:27 As he stepped out on shore, a man from the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had not worn any clothes, and he did not live in a…

  • Trinity Sunday, First Sunday after Pentecost, 15th June 2025

    St John 16: 12-15 The Spirit will guide you into the truth 16:12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever…

  • Preaching Paths 15 June 2025  Trinity Sunday, Year C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s brief gospel reading, John 16:12-15, powerfully conveys to the Church the promise that fuels its witness:  today, as from the beginning, the Father and Son continue to accompany, teach, and lead Jesus’ followers through the Holy Spirit. Preaching preparation can include reviewing chs 14-16. The Father…

  • Day of Pentecost, 8th June 2025

    Acts 2:1-21 Filled with the Spirit 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2:2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 2:3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among…

  • Preaching Paths 1 June 2024 Eastertide 7C

    [I apologize for the omission of the expected homiletical commentary  for this date,  a section of the “High Priestly” intercession of Jesus, John 17:20-26.—Sally A. Brown]

  • Preaching Paths (S. Brown) & Grammar (Y. Petropoulos), 25 May 2025 Eastertide 6C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary This week’s lection, John 14:23-29, is again taken from Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse,” in which he prepares his disciples for his imminent departure. Jesus speaks of three promises, or divine gifts, each as crucial for sustaining faith in our day as they were for the disciples. First, Jesus…

  • Preaching Paths 18 May 2025 Eastertide 5C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s brief gospel text, John 13:31-35, sends us back—well into Eastertide!—to pre-crucifixion words of Jesus. These verses speak of his crucifixion as “glorification.” Then, in words both simple and profound, Jesus presents our post-resurrection task: to love through action, as he has loved us. Preachers will need…