The gospel is actually a combination of two different parts of Luke’s gospel. The reading begins with the opening verses of Luke’s gospel. It promises to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us that has been passed from the eyewitnesses from the beginning and the ministers of the word that handed the accounts onto Luke’s generation (ca. 85 CE). This is coupled to the start of Jesus’ public ministry which began in the synagogue in his hometown. “He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me’” 

What is about that particular Old Testament passage?  This is not the first appearance of the Spirit in Luke’s gospel. The anointing? What is its purpose? Is it for a role, a mission, or other purpose? Jesus tells the people that in their very hearing, this prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled! He then announces “a year acceptable to the Lord.”  What might that mean?

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings

Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Eleventh century fresco of the Exorcism at the Synagogue in Capernaum | Wiki Commons | PD-US

In accordance with Jewish custom and Law, the Holy Family travels to the Jerusalem Temple to celebrate a host of religious celebrations: purification of Mary, and the presentation and consecration of Jesus. The Presentation of the Lord is a feast that celebrates the presentation and consecration of the first-born. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25). Simeon speaks words that are part of the Church’s night prayers: ““Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take some time on “the back porch” with the Word of God.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings

Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Image credit: Giotto di Bondone, Presentation of Christ in the Temple | Lower Church in the Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi | PD-US

The gospel for the previous Sundays have been in Galilee in the vicinity of Nazareth. Now Jesus has moved to the north end of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. There he has healed Simon’s mother-in-law, cured many illnesses, and add to the notoriety that is spreading in this northern region. To this point Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God has been a “solo act” so to speak. In this reading Jesus will begin to call people to act on the Word. St. Luke’s portrayal of the scene of calling the first disciples is subtly different that Mark/Matthew. Jesus never says “follow me.” Is that important? Is it important that Jesus calls him Simon-Peter? That Simon-Peter is “in the boat” and “in the deep waters?”

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew | Lorenzo Veneziano, 1370 | Staatliche Museen, Berlin | PD-US

Many people look at the Gospel for the 6th Sunday and think, “Oh, this is the Sermon on the Mount, only the shorter version.”  The “Sermon on the Mount” takes up more than 3 chapters in the Gospel of Matthew, but then most people are probably actually thinking about Matthew’s “Beatitudes.” The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke are about the same length, but are constructed for a different purpose and each “blessing” is paired with a “woe.” There is something different about this gospel other than length!

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Sermon on the Mount | Carl Block, 1887 | Museum of Natural History at Frederlksborg Castle – Hillerod, Denmark | PD-US

Do unto others, love your enemies – phrases that are part and parcel of the language of Church – with its parallels in the “golden rule.” And yet we are sometimes people who cite: an eye for eye… This is quid pro quo plain and simple and speaks of retribution and revenge, a bit of “tit for tat.”  Or maybe it is the rule in the Book of Sirach: “No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does. Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.” (Sirach 12) In this gospel Jesus notes the old models of action needs to give way to a new model that reflects the Kingdom of God

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Sermon on the Mount | Carl Block, 1887 | Museum of Natural History at Frederlksborg Castle – Hillerod, Denmark | PD-US

Over the previous two Sundays you have read the “Sermon on the Plain” – Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount. The gospel for this Sunday is a capstone to the Sermon. It asks that one incorporates the lessons into a practical way of life – how one is to go about the world.  He cautions about who you follow. If the guide is blind, expect the path to be other than towards the Kingdom. Even if you follow the good guide, have you embraced the teachings fully into your thoughts, words, and actions? Jesus pointedly asks: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?

There is a lot to unpack in these verses, so grab your favorite beverage and take some time on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

A detail of The Parable of the Mote and the Beam | Domenico Fetti, 1619 | Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC | PD-US