Gospel: Luke 12:49-56 (Pentecost 10: Series C)
This is true discipleship. We live with Jesus, we hold on to Jesus, we suffer with Jesus, because Jesus brings a divisive peace that saves.
Contributors
David Schmitt
David Schmitt (MDiv, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; PhD, Washington University, St. Louis) is the Gregg H. Benidt Chair of Homiletics and Literature, Professor of Practical Theology, and Chair of the Practical Department at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
Most Recent
Gospel: Luke 12:22-34 (35-40) (Pentecost 9: Series C)
We are loved by our heavenly Father. When the Creator and Giver of all good things is caring for you, suddenly, you are free to care for others.
Gospel: John 17:20-26 (Easter 7: Series C)
So, we pray. Not just in times of need, but we pray at all times. Because this is part of what it means to be saved.
Gospel: John 16:23-33 (Easter 6: Series C)
Jesus opens for us a way to walk through suffering and to sing our song of salvation as we talk to our heavenly Father.
Gospel: John 16:12-22 (Easter 5: Series C)
What we have in our reading is a picture of how God deals with a lack of understanding.
Gospel: John 10:22-30 (Easter 4: Series C)
Today, Jesus comes as your Good Shepherd. You recognize His voice.
Gospel: John 21:1-19 (Easter 3: Series C)
The days after Easter are strange. We are slowly returning to our patterns of Church life and family life after the festivities of Easter. Yet, we need to be careful we do not become too comfortable.
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 (Transfiguration: Series C)
You have been given a glimpse of glory, the glory of forgiveness, that you can share with those around you in the world.
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 (Epiphany 7: Series C)
By listing a series of situations in rapid succession, Jesus overwhelms us with how practical, how real, how tangible, how concrete, how utterly achievable life in the kingdom can be.
Gospel: Luke 6:17-26 (Epiphany 6: Series C)
Jesus curses our cultural expectations. He says "woe" to those who are rich, satisfied, joyful, and praised. The good life of our world is not good for discipleship.
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 (Epiphany 5: Series C)
The miraculous catch of fish happens not just once in the ministry of Jesus but twice. And, interestingly this miracle happens twice to the same person. Simon Peter.
Gospel: Luke 19:28-40 (Advent 1: Series C)
The oddness of this moment, at the beginning of Advent, is God’s way of saying, “The reason I’m here...”
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (The Last Sunday of the Church Year: Series B )
Trust in the midst of trouble. That is what our Lord calls us to experience today.
Gospel: Mark 13:1-13 (Pentecost 25: Series B )
Everywhere we look, there is suffering. But Jesus is not calling us to look. He is calling us to listen.
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (Pentecost 24: Series B )
In his death, Jesus has done the ultimate act of charity. He has given his life for all.
Gospel: Mark 9:38-50 (Pentecost 18: Series B )
You cannot “be what you want to be” and follow Jesus. Jesus has a higher calling for you, a calling which is more personal.
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37 (Pentecost 17: Series B )
Jesus takes that which is overlooked and unappreciated and celebrates this child as the place where God is at work.
Gospel: Mark 9:14-29 (Pentecost 16: Series B)
The beauty of our gospel reading today is how it reveals Jesus as the One who comes not only for the strong in faith but also for those who are weak and walking away.
Gospel: Mark 7:(24-30) 31-37 (Pentecost 15: Series B)
Jesus does not remain at a distance from our suffering. He fully enters it and bears its burden.
Gospel: Mark 6:45-56 (Pentecost 9: Series B)
When the One who created the world comes to you, there is reason for courage and never reason to fear.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-44 (Pentecost 8: Series B)
Because Jesus turns desolate, dying places into holy landscapes of life.
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (Pentecost 7: Series B)
I would understand if you were a bit offended. This looks more like Game of Thrones than the Kingdom of God.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-13 (Pentecost 6: Series B)
Jesus will bring good news, send His disciples to bring good news, and, in His death and resurrection, become good news for all.
Gospel: John 3:1-17 (Holy Trinity: Series B)
Trinity Sunday is a day we confess the mystery of our faith. It is a mystery that saves.
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Pentecost Sunday: Series B)
Somedays we are simply looking for a mark, a rock at the foot of a tree, something to direct us forward, a few words to let us know we are going in the right direction.