Matthew 27:15-26 Barabbas is described in today’s text from St. Matthew, as a “notorious” criminal. St. Mark’s Gospel adds the detail that he was an insurrectionist and a murderer. And St. John’s Gospel tells us that he was a robber. It’s easy to see why he was notorious. As an insurrectionist, he was a flagrant…
Zephaniah 1:7-11, 14-16 Please listen with me to a reading from the first chapter of the Prophet Zephaniah, beginning at the seventh verse: “Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. And it…
Isaiah 66:10-13 Please listen with me to a reading from the 66th chapter of the Prophet Isaiah, beginning at the 10th verse, which was the versicle in today’s Psalmody: “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; that you…
Mark 1:21-28 Please listen with me to a reading from the 1st chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, beginning at the 21st verse: Then [Jesus and his disciples] went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them…
Psalm 71:5-9 A reading from the 71st Psalm, beginning at the 5th verse. “For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You. I have become as a wonder to many,…
Matthew 15:21-28 “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” These words of our Lord, as recorded in today’s Gospel from St. Matthew, might seem harsh and cruel, especially in the context in which he spoke them. But he was simply stating the truth, as far as his vocation…
Psalm 51:1-4 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You…
Matthew 4:1-4 St. Matthew tells us in today’s Gospel that, after his baptism, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” If the Son of God was tempted by the devil, then it should not surprise us that the devil is more than willing to tempt everyone…