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Preaching Paths 22 February 2026 Lent 1, Year A
Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Jesus’ forty-day experience of hunger and testing in the wilderness, following his baptism and before his ministry begins, is the subject of today’s Gospel reading. Matthew’s language aligns closely with Luke’s (Lk 4:1-13); the major difference is that Luke transposes the ordering of the second and third…
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Preaching Paths 15 February 2026
Sally A. Brown, Professor of Preaching Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary In the verses before us today (Mt 5:21-37), Jesus speaks as any rabbi of his day might have done. To interpret the Law faithfully was a rabbi’s chief responsibility. The formula, “You have heard it said …” was a characteristic rabbinic phrase when one was…
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Transfiguration Sunday, 15th February 2026
Matthew 17:1-9 Christ revealed as God’s beloved Son 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 17:3 Suddenly…
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Preaching Paths 8 February 2026 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s gospel text, Mt 5:13-20, introduces two well-known themes in the Sermon on the Mount. In vv 13-16, Jesus uses metaphors of salt and light to describe his disciples’ role as witnesses to the reign of heaven he ushers into the world. Vv 17-20 concern upholding Jewish…
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Preaching Paths 1 February 2026
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12, open the three-chapter “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew (chapters 5-7). These promises of blessing to the “poor in spirit,” the “pure in heart,” the “meek,” mourners, and “peacemakers” have been beloved to Christians down the centuries. At the end of time, says…
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25th January 2026, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A
Matthew 4:12-234:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 4:13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 4:14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 4:15 “Land of Zebulun, land of…
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Preaching Paths 25 January 2026, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A
Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s Gospel reading, Mt 4:12-23, opens with the inauguration of Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (4:1-11), he learns that John the Baptist has been arrested and thrown into prison by Herod. Jesus, recognizing that it is dangerous to preach news of…
Insights into Biblical Greek Grammar and Syntax 