The readings for the fourth Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25. Sometimes the lessons and their intersections are plain. Re-reading the lessons is a best practice and wonderful.  Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son, Immanuel, which means “God with us.”  Paul, in his letter … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday in Advent

The readings for the third Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-11; and Matthew 11:2-15. Isaiah inspires hope for the desert places, where John the Baptizer would let people know that the Savior of the world was near. This Savior would bring healing. He would make a highway to bring us to Himself. He … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Advent

The readings for the second Sunday in Advent are taken from Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12. Isaiah and Matthew both record the presence of the Holy Spirit with Jesus. We remember that Gabriel told Mary she would conceive a firstborn Son by the power of the Holy Spirit and another angel explained to Joseph that the Mary’s … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Advent

The readings for the first Sunday in Advent are from Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:8-14; and Matthew 21:1-11 (Palm Sunday) or 24:36-44. Isaiah foretells the coming of the mountain of the Lord’s house, which is the Son of God, born true man of the virgin Mary. His coming brings peace (swords beaten to make plows). Such good … Continue reading Sunday Summary: First Sunday in Advent

The readings for the last Sunday of the Church Year are taken from Malachi 3:13-18, Colossians 1:13-20, and Luke 23:27-43. The word “judgment” can be positive or negative, depending on whether a person is good or evil. The lesson from Malachi records what so much of both the Old and New Testaments show—the contrast between the … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Last Sunday of the Church Year

The readings for the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Exodus 3:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17; and Luke 20:27-40. As we approach the end of the church year (the Sunday before Thanksgiving), we consider lessons that have to do with the end of the world, also known as Judgment Day. All three lessons have … Continue reading Sunday Summary: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Genesis 32:22-30; 2 Timothy 3.14—4:5; and Luke 18:1-8. Genesis, 2 Timothy, and Luke all talk about our relationship with God by means of His Word to us and our words, in prayer, to Him. God’s Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so God is … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost are from Ruth 1:1-19; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; and Luke 171:1-19. Ruth is one of the very best examples of genuine faith. She was not a Jew according to the flesh but was clearly a daughter of Abraham as demonstrated by her love of God and love of others. … Continue reading Sunday Summary

The readings for the seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost are from Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2.1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; and Luke 17:1-10. Habakkuk was distressed about the wicked conduct of Israel (like Amos in the two previous pericopes). Habakkuk assumes that God is not aware and/or not doing anything about all the evil. God reminds the prophet and us to … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost