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The Rev. Kelly Kirby
Rector
The Rev. Suzanne Barrow
Dir. Congregational Life
The Rev. Jan Scholtz
Deacon
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The Parable of The Talents (1634), oil painting on panel by Willem de Poorter (1608-1668). Narodni Galerie, Prague.
Read the Illuminations
Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for Pentecost 25A/Proper 28, Sunday, November 15, 2026
First Reading: Judges 4:1-7 Two weeks of Pentecost remain before Advent begins on November 29, but our readings are already nudging our imagination toward Advent themes imagining God’s final judgement and the last days. This first reading from the book of Judges concludes our long journey through Israel’s ancestral stories. The people live in the Promised Land, where they have settled in to a cycle of behaving badly – “doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord” – then repenting, turning back, and restoring justice under a leader called a judge. One of the most noteworthy judges – surprisingly in the Bible’s patriarchal culture – was a woman prophet, Deborah, who with God’s help orders her male generals into battle.
Psalm: Psalm 123
Harmonizing with the leadership of the judge Deborah in the first reading, this brief but powerful Psalm offers worship and praise to a God understood as both male and female, both master and mistress. This is one of the shortest of the Psalms at just five verses, but these brief words imagine a theology of liberation: The Psalmist calls for mercy for the poor, in contrast with the contempt and derision shown them by the indolent rich and the proud.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
In last week’s second reading, Paul assured his church in Thessalonika that the Christians who had died before Christ’s return would not lose their opportunity to be with him in God’s kingdom. Now, in the last chapter, Paul urges them to be prepared. Using colorful metaphors imagining a thief in the night and a woman’s sudden labor pains, he declares that the day of the Lord may come suddenly and by surprise. Be faithful, he says. Be loving. Care for one another, and be ready.
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Many of us would probably be just as cautious in safeguarding an angry master’s treasure as was the slave in this parable who buried the costly silver talent left in his charge, earning no profit on it. But Jesus, in the frenzied last week before he is to be crucified, is intently focused on the last days. Just after this passage comes the Gospel we will hear next week: Jesus’s account of the last judgement, when Christ as judging King will sort out those who saw the face of Jesus in the hungry, the thirsty, the oppressed, sick persons, and prisoners, from those who did not. Like the first two slaves in this parable, we are called to take risks, to see Jesus present in the poor and the oppressed, and to give abundantly.
First Reading: Judges 4:1-7 Two weeks of Pentecost remain before Advent begins on November 29, but our readings are already nudging our imagination toward Advent themes imagining God’s final judgement and the last days. This first reading from the book of Judges concludes our long journey through Israel’s ancestral stories. The people live in the Promised Land, where they have settled in to a cycle of behaving badly – “doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord” – then repenting, turning back, and restoring justice under a leader called a judge. One of the most noteworthy judges – surprisingly in the Bible’s patriarchal culture – was a woman prophet, Deborah, who with God’s help orders her male generals into battle.
Psalm: Psalm 123
Harmonizing with the leadership of the judge Deborah in the first reading, this brief but powerful Psalm offers worship and praise to a God understood as both male and female, both master and mistress. This is one of the shortest of the Psalms at just five verses, but these brief words imagine a theology of liberation: The Psalmist calls for mercy for the poor, in contrast with the contempt and derision shown them by the indolent rich and the proud.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
In last week’s second reading, Paul assured his church in Thessalonika that the Christians who had died before Christ’s return would not lose their opportunity to be with him in God’s kingdom. Now, in the last chapter, Paul urges them to be prepared. Using colorful metaphors imagining a thief in the night and a woman’s sudden labor pains, he declares that the day of the Lord may come suddenly and by surprise. Be faithful, he says. Be loving. Care for one another, and be ready.
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Many of us would probably be just as cautious in safeguarding an angry master’s treasure as was the slave in this parable who buried the costly silver talent left in his charge, earning no profit on it. But Jesus, in the frenzied last week before he is to be crucified, is intently focused on the last days. Just after this passage comes the Gospel we will hear next week: Jesus’s account of the last judgement, when Christ as judging King will sort out those who saw the face of Jesus in the hungry, the thirsty, the oppressed, sick persons, and prisoners, from those who did not. Like the first two slaves in this parable, we are called to take risks, to see Jesus present in the poor and the oppressed, and to give abundantly.
Dimensions of Faith Lectures
Dimensions of Faith invites thinkers and writers to explore the interface of religion and culture, as we continue as a parish to challenge our minds and renew our spirits.
Upcoming Speakers: Jeff Chu, October 11, 2026
Previous Speakers Include:
Nadia Bolz-Weber / Diana Butler Bass / Sarah Bessey / Steve Crump Ruby Sales / Dr. Amy-Jill Levine / Marcus Borg / Sara Miles
Robert Putnam / John Dominic Crossan / Brian McLaren / Scott Gunn
John Philip Newell / Silas House/Bishop Marianne Budde / Elizabeth Schrader-Polzcer / John Dear / Dr. Lewis Brogdon / Bob Hower and Ted Wathen
Upcoming Speakers: Jeff Chu, October 11, 2026
Previous Speakers Include:
Nadia Bolz-Weber / Diana Butler Bass / Sarah Bessey / Steve Crump Ruby Sales / Dr. Amy-Jill Levine / Marcus Borg / Sara Miles
Robert Putnam / John Dominic Crossan / Brian McLaren / Scott Gunn
John Philip Newell / Silas House/Bishop Marianne Budde / Elizabeth Schrader-Polzcer / John Dear / Dr. Lewis Brogdon / Bob Hower and Ted Wathen
