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SermonStudio

Proper 16 (C, E) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 (C)
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 24:3-8
Proper 17 (C, E) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (C)
The Holy Trinity -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 6:1-8 (C)
The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 10:34-43 (C, RC, E)
Proper 18 (C, E) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (C)
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 61:10„62:3 (C, E)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Acts 4:32-35 (C, RC)
Proper 19 (C, E) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 1:20-33 (C)
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (C, E)
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 3:12-19 (C); Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 (RC)
Proper 20 (C, E) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 31:10-31 (C)
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 4:5-12 (C); Acts 4:8-12 (RC)
Proper 21 (C, E) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (C)
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 8:26-40 (C, E)
Proper 22 (C, E) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (C)
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Watching For The Coming Of The Lord -- Mark 13:32-37 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fa
Proper 23 (C, E) -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 (C)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Living For Others -- John 10:11-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Proper 24 (C, E) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) (C)
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Union With God And God's People -- John 15:1-8 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.
Proper 25 (C, E) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (C)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Need A Lift? -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Journalist Bob Garfield researched health articles in The Washington Post, USA Today, and The New Yo
In A Land Of Faithfulness -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Good Friday is about faithfulness that happens because of forgiveness.
Never Just Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
"Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never harm me."
Enlightened Eyes -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
It is a matter of perspective. It is a matter of how we choose to look at things.
Never Limit Others, Ourselves, Or God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Once upon a time a badly deformed little girl was born to a very wealthy family.
The Transforming Power Of A Changed Perspective -- Luke 12:32-40 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
As we wander through the middle of this twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we notice that Jesus
Love Means Speaking The Truth -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
"When Christ calls a man, he bids that man to come and die." These words were written by Dietrich Bo
Fire Falling From Heaven -- Luke 12:49-56 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Jesus spends much of the twelfth chapter of Luke reassuring and encouraging his followers in the fac
"Our Father Who Art In Heaven" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
One day in India, a boy came upon a Holy Man praying by the banks of the Ganges River.
Now What? -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
The Ascension of Jesus into heaven is one of those strange Bible stories that Cecil B.
Curtain Call -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
It was 1974 in the racially-troubled southern city of Birmingham.
Love Without Limits -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The eloquent preacher Tom Long tells the story of a small church-related college that held an annual
Lessons From A Dog Guide -- Robert S. Crilley -- 2003
Introduction
Calling Others In God's Name -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
The realization that God calls all people of faith to service and discipleship, and thereby to be a
Holy Collision -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
Before a dog guide and its teammate meet, an apprentice pup spends twelve months in the home of a 4-
The Lord Hears The Cry Of The Poor -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
The year 1992 marked the quincentenary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World, an e
The Bent-over Woman -- Luke 13:10-17 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
As was his custom, Jesus went that Sabbath morning to the synagogue for worship.
"Hallowed Be Thy Name" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
My previous church in West Springfield - like this one - was located next to a graveyard.
Escape From The Island Of Spiritual Sloth -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
I was noodling around on the internet not long ago, doing some research on the "Seven Deadly Sins,"
A Whole New World -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
I knew that it was wrong.
When All Is Said And Done -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments.
Incarnation With A Wagging Tail -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Once there was a dog guide named Leader Dog Dolley.
The Ash Connection -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
There is always something we cannot stand about ourselves, something that is unacceptable, something
Knowing What IsTruly Important In Life -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
When she was a little girl her parents bought a cottage by the lake.
Divine Dinner Party Decorum -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Luke opens the fourteenth chapter by telling us that Jesus "was going to the house of a leader of th

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Misunderstood -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Three children begged for a pet hamster.
Caesar -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In Las Vegas there was an old Christian saint, named Sam, who was approaching his eightieth birthday
Hope -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." Those words come from a m
Tradition -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Bismarck was the Prussian ambassador to the court of Alexander II, in the early 1860's, he look
Motive -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A wealthy man had seven married children. He waited for years, but there was never a grandchild.
Alone -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"No man is an island," wrote the seventeenth century Anglican priest, John Donne.
Idolatry -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
After Moses and the people of Israel escaped from Egypt, they wandered for many years in the Sinai p
Translate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A carpenter worked for a lumber company for forty years.
Music -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honor.
Ancestors -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Unless some things are carried from the past into the future, there will be no future worth having.
Inadequate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Two cows were grazing alongside I-95 in Bucks County when a tank truck of milk, on its way to the di
Unjust Suffering -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"If the Lord is really with us, why has all this happened to us?" asked Gideon in the Old Testament.
Mystery -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A certain magician worked on a cruise ship between New York City and Bermuda.
Atonement -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Atonement is the word Christians use to sum up what Jesus' death means to them.
Interruption -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jack lived on an island in the middle of a river.
Untoward -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the central character is Willy Loman, a traveling sales
Narcissism -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
According to Ovid's version of an old Greek legend, a nymph named Liriope was ravaged by a river-god
Authority -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"By what authority are you acting like this?" was the question posed to Jesus by the religious leade
Jesus -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"The consciousness of the presence of God has come to millions of men and women through Jesus," wrot
Ostracize -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In ancient Greece, a method was developed to handle a dangerous or unpopular citizen considered to b
Babies -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the early 1830's, in France, a schoolmaster wrote these words in his rollbook, after the name of
Jesus' Name -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
The miracle and mystery of Christmas is summed up in the name of that baby born in Bethlehem so long
Park -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Common words have an uncommon history. Take the word park, for example.
Ballot -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
At election time, we enter the polling booth to choose a candidate, by using a pencil or pulling a l
Jesus' Popularity -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It is the first day of Holy Week.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Just A Few Drops Of Water -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Quiet baptismal water connects us to God forever.
Upon All -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
You Upstart! -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
god or God? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Theme: god or God?Call To Worship
Replacement -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
First Lesson: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Theme: Seeing For Ourselves
What Makes You Change? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Theme: What Makes You Change?Call To WorshipLeader: What changes us?
Both Ears Tingling -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: We listen for the way God calls to us.
The Prophetic Word -- And The Living Word -- Isaiah 40:1-5, John 1:1-14 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday In Advent Isaiah 40:1-5; John 1:1-14
The Hope Of A Girl -- And The Hope Of The World -- Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Second Sunday In Advent Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38
Secure -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
God's Kids Hope -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Get Up -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Expectant Parents -- And An Unexpected Baby -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Third Sunday In Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1-5
A Show of Hands -- John 20:24-29 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Strategy -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Alive, I Say -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Words In Your Mouth -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Song Of Angels -- And The Son Of God -- Isaiah 9:2-6 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Fourth Sunday In Advent Isaiah 9:2-6; Luke 2:6-14
Refreshing Christians -- 2 Timothy 1:8-18 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
A Sad Heart -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
A Reason -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Is it possible that human weaknesses are for a reason?
Waiting For God -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20They Came Together In Bethlehem:
When Life Breaks Your Heart -- 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: A sheep or lamb stuffed animal.

Note: For the best experience, when you ask the questions, take the time to draw the children out a bit and help them come up with answers. Make it more of a conversation if you can.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started! (Hold the sheep in your lap as you continue.)

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For May 4, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice… (vv. 11-12a)

Phillip Hasheider is a retired Wisconsin beef farmer and an award-winning author who was dead for six minutes and came back to tell about it. If you have ever thought about dying and wondered what it would be like, then Hasheider’s Six Minutes in Eternity is a book you will want to read.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
A medical worker is working long, hard, stress filled hours in an urban hospital setting. One day he or she is called into the administrator’s office to be terminated due to angering professionals in the upper echelon. The worker protests that it is, “My word against their word, why am I to be the scapegoat?” The administrator pulls rank! The worker is asked to turn in their badge and do not come into the premises again unless as a patient. The now unemployed medical worker still feels the calling to be a healer. So, they get a job at an alternative/natural health medicine store.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Martin Luther believed that the story of Paul’s conversion demonstrates that there is no need for special revelation. The reformer commented:

Our Lord God does not purpose some special thing for each individual person, but gives to the whole world — one person like the next — his baptism and gospel. (Complete Sermons, Vol.7, p.271)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I've recently spent several hours by the lakeside, for I've been in retreat this past week in the little village of Hemingford Grey, in Huntingdonshire. A great delight for me was to walk to the flooded gravel pits, sit on a bench in glorious sunshine, and watch the water birds. For me, that's a wonderful way to become very aware of the presence of God through the beauty of his created world. And sitting like that for several hours, doing nothing but watching and waiting, I can't help but absorb the peace which passes all understanding.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Beth was a teenager, she lived on the streets. She smoked cigarettes and drank beer and her parents had said that she had to choose: her friends or her family. Beth chose her friends and lived from house to house and eventually in homeless shelters. She barely avoided being raped at one point. About six months of shelter-hopping was all she could take, and she found a shelter that sponsored her until she took the GED. They told her she was brilliant: she was just bored and dissatisfied with the status quo. The shelter supervisors suggested she look into community college.
James Evans
(For alternative approaches, see Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B; and Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14, Cycle C.)

The main theme of this psalm is captured profoundly in the movement within a single verse: "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with morning" (v. 5). Casting life experiences between light and dark is not unique or novel, of course, but the poet's treatment of these themes offers some fertile ground for reflection.

Elizabeth Achtemeier
We have three different accounts of the conversion of Saul in the Gospel according to Luke (9:1-20; 22:6-16; 26:12-18). They differ in a few minor details, but essentially they are the same. In addition, Paul writes of his conversion in Galatians 1:11-16, and in 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 15:8-9, stating that at the time of his conversion on the road to Damascus, he saw the Lord. For Paul, that made him an apostle, equal to the twelve. An apostle, in Paul's thought, was one who had seen the risen Christ and had been sent to announce that good news.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once in a far-off land, there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide. His power and authority were absolute. One day, as events would happen, a young man, a commoner, committed a grave offense against the king. In response, the king and his counselors gathered together to determine what should be done. They decided that since the offense was so grave and had been committed by a commoner against someone so august as the king, the only punishment that would satisfy justice was death.

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