"podcast" Tagged Sermons (Page 97)

“Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?” This is the question that begins today’s poetic excerpt from Proverbs. And, if you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t spent too much time in Proverbs. The book is part of the Hebrew Scriptures, and its purpose is to teach the reader how to embody wisdom and avoid folly. That is, to move away from ignorance, arrogance, and stupidity, and to move toward understanding, knowledge, and good sense. What fascinates me about today’s passage is that in that male-centric society, wisdom is personified as a woman…

Today’s gospel reading is part of a long conversation Jesus had with his disciples. In the book of John, it’s known as Jesus’s “Farewell Discourse.” And, this final conversation began with Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, it continued with last Sunday’s reading reminding us of the new commandment to love all people, and just before today’s reading two disciples ask Jesus some questions. Today, we got Jesus’s response to a third question…

One of the most misunderstood books of the Bible is the final book. Some call the book “Revelations,” but its actual title is Revelation (singular). Many think it predicts the future; however, its imagery speaks more broadly about struggles among evil. And, most preachers simply ignore it, choosing the easier route with the Gospels. Yet, today’s reading from Revelation is deeply intertwined with our Gospel reading, and it’s too good to skip…