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Cathy Venkatesh

Catherine Venkatesh is an Episcopal priest who has served congregations in Michigan and Massachusetts. Presently taking time to be home with her young daughter, she also volunteers at a local Episcopal retreat center. A graduate of Williams College and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, she has completed additional degrees in Development Economics and Forestry. Prior to entering the ordained ministry, she worked in environmental research and policy. She lives with her family outside Boston and travels regularly to India, where her husband?s extended family resides.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Welcoming stress -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2016
In this week’s gospel passage Jesus says, “What stress I am under!” How often do we make this claim,
Looking back, looking forward, resting where we are -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2016
Today’s story of the Transfiguration, heard each year on the Last Sunday of Epiphany, invites deep r
Transformed lives -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
For me, the deepest proof of Jesus’ resurrection comes from the transformed lives of his followers.
Saved by faith -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016
Our readings this week draw us into the tricky territory of works righteousness and the eternal temp
Who's in? Who's out? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2016
Today’s readings introduce us to three groups of outcast people: the exiles in Babylon, Paul in pris
Easter in Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally one that emphasizes joy.
Healed for service -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2015
When I was in seminary, I spent a summer working as a chaplain in a Roman Catholic hospital.
New Creations -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In each of our lessons today, we encounter God’s people starting over and finding their way into
A commandment to love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
“Love one another” sounds so simple, but can be so hard.
Taking and offering -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2015
When do we have enough?
Wisdom and folly -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2015
Are we to be fools for Christ, or wise as serpents (and innocent as doves)?
Climbing in the light -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
The story of God's love in the Bible focuses on Jesus. But Jesus did not appear in a vacuum.
Recognizing the kingdom of God -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2015
God does not judge by appearances, but by the heart.
Wisdom's gifts, God's embrace -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
We are blessed today with inspiring words from the Wisdom tradition in both the Hebrew and Christian
Making sense of suffering -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2015
All of our lessons today address suffering -- of humans and of Jesus in his passion and death.
The end... and the beginning -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2015
Advent is a season of anticipation, but as we near the end of the season of Pentecost our readings a
It's judgment day -- rejoice! -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Messages of God’s judgment can be hard to hear, and feel at odds with the fast-approaching celebrati
Family wounds and God's grace -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
In one of my former parishes, the wife of retired pastor led us in a Bible study of the book of Gene
Choosing to love -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Here we are, the Sunday after the sentimentality and excesses of Valentine's Day.
A holy Lent -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Imagine life in a northern farming community a couple of centuries ago. It's early March.
Which parade? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
This Palm Sunday afternoon, I will be joining a festive Walk for Affordable Housing organized by a l
Lives transformed -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
What if the resurrection happened and no one told anyone about it?
The power of names -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
"What's in a name?
Getting what we (don't) deserve -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
God is not just by our human ways of accounting.
Law and life -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
God gives the law to the Israelites as a blessing and guidance for new life after generations of pro
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For October 5, 2025:

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What kind of poetry is written in the midst of war? Gentle poetry. Brutal poetry. Shocking poetry. Haunting poetry.

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Not all suffering is equal.

We know, of course, that some pain is worse than other pain and some suffering is more difficult to endure. I have discovered, for example, that I classify some troubles as “headaches” while other troubles are “heartaches.” The “headache” type of suffering is a nuisance, no doubt, but it is not nearly so painful to me as the “heartache” type of suffering. Troubles at work are headaches; troubles at home are heartaches.
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Object: The object of this lesson is a phrase for everyone to remember. If you want to add a bit of interest, you could print that phrase on a card or ribbon to give to each child. For the most impact, create one for every member of the congregation and have the children hand them out after the message.

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The Village Shepherd

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Call to Worship:

His friends and followers said to Jesus, "Increase our faith!" In our worship today let us explore faith and ask that he might increase our faith too.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I feel anxious and worried.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I find it hard to believe that you will always care for me.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I envy other people because of their great faith.

Lord, have mercy.

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The little-known book of Lamentations was likely composed in the ashes of Jerusalem, following the Babylonian invasion which carried the leaders of the Jewish community off into exile. It speaks to the concerns of the Jerusalem community for their long-term survival under occupation by a foreign power. While the book's title sounds grim, and its setting is dark, the book is fundamentally life-affirming. It is a testimony to the steadfast love of God that may be discovered through renewed faith, even in troubled times.

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Some records are made to be broken -- like Olympic speed skating; Cal Ripkin, Jr.'s, most consecutive baseball game appearances; and North Dakota's longest cow chip toss. Other records we'd prefer to let stand -- the world's deadliest disaster, or the most active hurricane season, for instance. Years 2004 and 2005 will probably make the books as among the most dramatic in weather history. Hurricanes pounded the southern coast of the USA. Floods and blizzards battered the midwest. Earthquakes devastated parts of central Asia.
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Ever since the sign went up on our property that our church was coming I've gotten phone calls from people asking when we'll have a church. I can be a smart aleck as some of you will attest and so I'm often quick to respond that we already have a church, we just don't have a building. "Well," they usually say, "give me a call when you get the building done; I'm not going to worship in a high school cafeteria." Before I can give my canned speech about the difference between a church and the building I realize I'm talking to a dead phone.
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It can be really depressing to listen to the news anymore. It doesn't matter which network you watch, everywhere you turn it's the same old bad news: natural and manmade disasters, the continuing conflicts in the Middle East and in Iraq and Afghanistan, medical miscues, entertainers gone wild and self-destructive, sports heroes disappointing us. Then there's a federal government that often seems to be, at best, incompetent or, at worst, corrupt. What makes it even more depressing is that at least 51% of us voted those currently in the White House and on Capitol Hill into office!
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You may have noticed that I read earlier from the King James Version of the Bible and not the New International Version from which I usually read. I read from a Bible that was given to me by my father which was passed on to him by his father. I read earlier from my Grandfather Carver's pulpit Bible from which he began preaching over ninety years ago and used for over forty years. Needless to say, when I accepted this Bible from my father I received it as a sacred trust.

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