Tag: jesus

  • 22nd February 2026 Lent 1

    Matthew 4: 1-11 The temptation of Jesus 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 4:2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 4:3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these…

  • Preaching Paths 15 February 2026

    Sally A. Brown, Professor of Preaching Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In the verses before us today (Mt 5:21-37), Jesus speaks as any rabbi of his day might have done. To interpret the Law faithfully was a rabbi’s chief responsibility. The formula, “You have heard it said …” was a characteristic rabbinic phrase when one was…

  • Transfiguration Sunday, 15th February 2026

    Matthew 17:1-9 Christ revealed as God’s beloved Son 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 17:3 Suddenly…

  • Preaching Paths 8 February 2026 5th Sunday after Epiphany

    Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s gospel text, Mt 5:13-20, introduces two well-known themes in the Sermon on the Mount. In vv 13-16, Jesus uses metaphors of salt and light to describe his disciples’ role as witnesses to the reign of heaven he ushers into the world. Vv 17-20 concern upholding Jewish…

  • Preaching Paths 1 February 2026

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12,  open the three-chapter “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew (chapters 5-7). These promises of blessing to the “poor in spirit,” the “pure in heart,” the “meek,” mourners, and “peacemakers” have been beloved to Christians down the centuries. At the end of time, says…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 18th January 2026, 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany Yr A

    John 1:29-42 Christ revealed as the Lamb of God 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he…

  • 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…

  • 11th January 2026,Baptism of the Lord, Year A

    Matthew 3:13-17 Christ revealed as God’s servant 3:13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 3:14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 3:15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for…