Genesis 1: 1- 2:4a This story of creation was probably written after the captivity in Babylon.  It begins with a haunting scene: “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the earth….”   A vaguely defined … Continue reading →

Act of the Apostles 2: 1-21 The Holy Spirit has made discrete, but critical appearances in Luke’s narratives to this point, but now takes center stage.  The occasion  is the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, the place is Jerusalem.  In it’s … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 1: 6-14 Luke uses language and symbolism similar to his description of the “transformation” of Jesus to now describe his “ascension.”  Both events in Luke’s language validate a direct link between the earthly life and ministry … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 17: 22-31 Religions played many roles in the ancient world: personal comfort, public ceremony, social cohesion, national identity and philosophical inquiry. Luke presents an encounter by Paul with philosophers in Athens.  Paul starts with a deist … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 7: 55-60 Raymond Brown shows through a detailed analysis of the  story of martyrdom of Stephen in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles the  parallels with Luke’s version of the death of Jesus in his gospel.  (A … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 2: 42-47 Luke’s Acts of the Apostles paints a vivid portrait of the communities of first believers.  We see those who had seen and heard the Risen Christ as well as those who heard their testimony … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 2: 14a, 36-41 In his Acts of the Apostles, the writer of the Gospel of Luke implies that Peter is addressing some of the same people who were in the mob who called for the execution … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 2: 14a, 22-32 As the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates, the proclamation– that Jesus, whose execution was public knowledge, but had been raised from the dead by God– saturated the self-identity of the early church.  Familiar … Continue reading →

Acts of the Apostles 10: 34-43 This excerpt is a confession of faith by first witnesses to the announcements of the resurrection of Jesus who feel compelled to testify to what they have heard and seen. OR Jeremiah 31: 1-6 … Continue reading →

THE LITURGY OF THE PALMS Matthew 21: 1-11 Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the climax of his public ministry.  As Matthew reports the event, ancient expectations are fulfilled in very specific details.  Only Matthew’s narrative says that these details fulfill … Continue reading →