“Annunciation, Acclamation, Crucifixion” (Luke 1:30-33; Mark 11:1-10; 15:1-39) Today is a day in the church year that goes by two names, “Palm Sunday” and the “Sunday of the Passion.” This is Palm Sunday, the day when our Lord Jesus Christ … Continue reading
“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (Luke 2:1-20) For our Christmas Eve homily tonight, I thought I’d let Luther lead the way. This is the 500th anniversary year of the Reformation, after all, and Martin Luther wrote and preached … Continue reading
“Gabriel’s Gracious Greeting” (Luke 1:26-38) Every year on the Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Holy Gospel is a reading about Mary. Last year it was the message to Joseph that Mary would bear a son. Next year it will be … Continue reading
“Ascension Day, the Forgotten Festival” (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11) Welcome to the Forgotten Festival! Today is Ascension Day, or, as it’s more properly called, the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. But there is reason to call it, as … Continue reading
“Opening the Scriptures, Breaking the Bread” (Luke 24:13-35) One of my favorite paintings is one we happen to have hanging in the hallway here at St. Matthew’s. I’ve brought it forward this morning, because it goes with the Gospel reading … Continue reading
“On the Eighth Day of Christmas: The Circumcision and Name of Jesus” (Luke 2:21) On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . the circumcision and name of Jesus? Huh? What? Yeah, well, that’s … Continue reading
“Signs of the End” (Luke 21:5-36) Tomorrow night, if the sky is clear, you will be able to see what is called a “Supermoon.” This Supermoon is a full moon, but it will appear about 15% larger than average, because … Continue reading
“The Pharisee and the Tax Collector” (Luke 18:9-17) “The one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Now I don’t know if our Lord was talking about my Chicago Cubs there or not, but finally my humble Cubbies have been exalted. … Continue reading
“Lazarus: The One Whom God Helps” (Luke 16:19-31) This is the tale of two men. Which one would you rather be? It’s in a story that Jesus tells. It begins like this: “There was a rich man who was clothed … Continue reading
“Faithful Stewards” (Luke 16:1-15) In the Gospel for today, Jesus tells the Parable of the Dishonest Manager. This story is also known as the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward. The terms are interchangeable: dishonest or unrighteous; manager or steward. But … Continue reading
“Jesus Receives, Rejoices over, and Restores Sinners” (Luke 15:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:5-17) Jesus receives sinners. Do you qualify? If so, great, I’ve got good news for you today. Or do you think you’re not that bad of a sinner? Well, … Continue reading
“Friend, Move Up Higher” (Luke 14:1-14) Suppose you’re invited to a banquet–a wedding banquet, for instance–so you get dressed up in your best clothes, and you get there, and you see some seats that are open at the various tables. … Continue reading
“Strive to Enter through the Narrow Door” (Luke 13:22-30) Suppose there’s a big party, a grand banquet that you’ve heard about, and you really want to go and be there for this great event. So you go to the banquet … Continue reading
“Fire, Distress, and Division: This Is the Gospel of the Lord?” (Luke 12:49-53) “‘I came to cast fire on the earth. How great is my distress! I have come to bring division on earth. From now on households will be … Continue reading
“Do Not Be Anxious: Faith Overcomes Fear” (Luke 12:22-34) “Do not be anxious. Do not be worried. Fear not.” That’s what Jesus says to his disciples in our Gospel reading for today. He says we shouldn’t be so worried about … Continue reading
“Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26; Luke 12:13-21; Colossians 3:1-11) We all want to live the good life, don’t we? I mean, we want to have the best life now that we can have. Financial security, good … Continue reading
“Following Jesus to the Cross” (Luke 9:51-62) Today Jesus says to us, “Follow me.” “Follow me,” he says. “Come, be my disciples.” “OK, we say. “Yes, Jesus I will follow you.” But do we know what we’re getting ourselves into? … Continue reading
“Authoritative Word, Marvelous Faith” (Luke 7:1-10) It is hard to surprise or shock Jesus. It is hard to amaze him or cause him to marvel. It rarely happens. But today it does. It’s the story of the centurion asking for … Continue reading
“The Prodigal Celebration” (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) Our text today is the Holy Gospel from Luke 15. It is the famous and well-loved Parable of the Prodigal Son. But today I want to suggest to you that we might also call … Continue reading
“The Transfiguration–and Exodus–of Our Lord” (Luke 9:28-36) Today is the Transfiguration of Our Lord. This is the festival we celebrate every year on the last Sunday after the Epiphany. We have seen Christ’s glory as the incarnate Son of God … Continue reading
“Jesus’ Inaugural Address” (Luke 4:16-30) In just about one year from now, the new President of the United States of America will give his (or her) inaugural address. Having just been inaugurated into office, the new president will give a … Continue reading
“The Things of My Father” (Luke 2:40-52) Maybe you’ve seen the GEICO commercial of Peter Pan going to a class reunion. Peter Pan is portrayed as a twelve-year-old boy who has never grown up. His classmates, though, have aged naturally, … Continue reading
“Born for You a Savior” (Luke 2:1-20) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” So the angel brought the good news of great joy to the shepherds. And … Continue reading
“Spirit-Given Faith Greets the Savior” (Luke 1:39-56) We’re coming near the end of Advent, and it’s time to greet the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ–not only at Christmas, but also when he comes again. Are you ready? Are you … Continue reading
“Or Shall We Look for Another?” (Luke 7:18-35) Options, options. Comparison shopping. Never satisfied. Always looking. The grass is always greener. That’s how people are these days. They swipe a new profile on an online dating site, and they think, … Continue reading