Our tour through the parables of the lost and found continues today in a deceptively simple one, the Parable of the Tax-Collector (or Publican) and the Pharisee. But watch out: It’s a trap! Text Today’s text is found only in Luke 18.9-14: [18.9] And [Jesus] also said to some who were convinced that they were … Continue reading The Parable of the Tax-Collector and the Pharisee
We saw towards the start of this series, that the Gospels, and Matthew and Luke especially, have Jesus turn towards teaching in parables when opposition to him begins to increase. It’s no surprise then that opposition to Jesus has been in the background of all the parables we’ve looked at so far in this section … Continue reading Excursus: The Pharisees
Today as we continue through Jesus’ parables of grace, we come to the magnificent story of the Good Samaritan, one of Jesus’ most famous parables. But just because we know it well does not mean it has nothing to teach us. So let’s take a closer look. Text The Parable of the Good Samaritan is … Continue reading The Parable of the Good Samaritan
I started this weekly 'What's Lighting Me Up' series at the start of January, as a way of holding on to the everyday joys and beautiful things that can give life meaning in difficult times. While that is still absolutely true, I've noticed diminishing returns for the exercise as the year has gone on. So … Continue reading What’s Lighting Me Up (July 26, 2025)
I once heard a priest say from the pulpit that she was glad there are three readings every Sunday because it meant she didn’t have to preach on the scary passages. I promised myself in that moment never to shrink away from a hard passage of Scripture. The parable we’ll be looking at today, the … Continue reading The Parable of the Unjust Steward
Matthew Root 