Tag: repentance

  •  7th December 2025, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A

    Matthew 3:1-12 Prepare the way of the Lord 3:1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3:3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:…

  • Preaching Paths 7 December 2025 Advent 2 Year A

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Once again, as is customary on the Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist strides into our December landscapes of twinkling, colored lights like an unwelcome guest at a party. He is dressed in the shaggy pelt of a camel. He prefers locusts to Christmas sweets (Mt…

  • Preaching Paths 30 March 2025 Lent 4 Yr C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In today’s reading (Luke 15:1-3,11b-32), Jesus responds to Pharisees who condemn his habit of sharing his table with notorious sinners and tax collectors. We focus today on what many know as the parable of the “Prodigal Son,” the third in a triad of parables about God’s concern…

  • Third Sunday in Lent, Yr C, 23rd March 2025

    Luke 13:1-9 The parable of the fig tree 13:1At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 13:2He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 13:3No, I tell…

  • Preaching Paths 22 December 2024

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Preaching possibilities abound in today’s Gospel reading (Lk 1:39-56). Two unlikely expectant mothers—one long considered barren, the other young and unmarried—join in Spirit-inspired celebration of God’s surprising ways. After the angel Gabriel’s life-changing visit, Mary travels to the far Judean hills to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth.…

  • Preaching Paths 15 December 2024 Advent 3 Yr C

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Only in Advent Year C do we spend two weeks in the company of John the Baptist. Last week’s Gospel reading, which began with Luke’s roll call of earthly power brokers, announced that the world-shaking Word of God came not to the mighty but to a prophet…