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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 Tribute Money (1630s), oil painting on canvas by Bernardo Strozzi (1581-1644). Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.
Read the Illuminations
Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for Pentecost 21A/Proper 24, Sunday, October 18, 2026
First Reading: Exodus 33:12-23
God’s power for good amazes us, and we follow in faith. This hopeful theme resonates through Sunday’s readings. For this first reading, we skip over a couple of chapters of bloody and horrifying narrative since hearing of God’s anger over the golden calf in last Sunday’s reading. Now Moses worries that his troublesome flock might stray again. He prays for assurance that God will continue to lead and guide the people. God agrees, but Moses wants more: He asks to see God. But, God warns, no human can survive seeing such glory as God’s face. A compromise emerges: Moses may stand in a crack in a rock, protected from danger, then open his eyes for a quick glimpse from behind after God passes by.
Psalm: Psalm 99
Psalm 99 echoes the ideas that we heard in the first reading from Exodus. As we chant this Psalm, we sing loud praise to God’s great and awesome name. We celebrate God’s justice and equity. We remember that God, leading the people in a pillar of cloud, answered their prayers, but also punished them for their evil deeds, and finally forgave them in the end. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord, our God, the Psalmist sings.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
This Sunday we begin a five-week visit with Paul’s first letter to the small community in Thessalonica in Northern Greece. This is thought to be the earliest surviving document in the New Testament, probably written around 50 CE, within the first generation after the Crucifixion. The Thessalonian Christians had been persecuted for giving up the dominant Roman religion that Paul and the early Christians considered pagan. Their faith, Paul says, had inspired many converts, who were now waiting for Jesus to rescue them “from the wrath that is coming.” Many Christians in this early time fully expected Jesus to return within their lifetimes to judge the world and establish the kingdom of God on Earth.
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22
Jesus, in Jerusalem in the last week before his passion and death, continues fencing with a group of Pharisees and temple leaders who have been plotting to have him killed. Now they try to trap Jesus with yet another trick question. Depending on his answer, they hope he will either anger the crowds by seemingly supporting Roman taxation, or risk treason against Rome by denying the emperor’s power. But Jesus outwits them as usual. He asks them to show him a coin, which reveals that they are casually carrying a forbidden graven image— the head of Tiberius Caesar— on each coin. Finally, when he tells them, “give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s,” Jesus leaves open the question of just how much that might be … and how much of our lives, on the other hand, we should give to God.
First Reading: Exodus 33:12-23
God’s power for good amazes us, and we follow in faith. This hopeful theme resonates through Sunday’s readings. For this first reading, we skip over a couple of chapters of bloody and horrifying narrative since hearing of God’s anger over the golden calf in last Sunday’s reading. Now Moses worries that his troublesome flock might stray again. He prays for assurance that God will continue to lead and guide the people. God agrees, but Moses wants more: He asks to see God. But, God warns, no human can survive seeing such glory as God’s face. A compromise emerges: Moses may stand in a crack in a rock, protected from danger, then open his eyes for a quick glimpse from behind after God passes by.
Psalm: Psalm 99
Psalm 99 echoes the ideas that we heard in the first reading from Exodus. As we chant this Psalm, we sing loud praise to God’s great and awesome name. We celebrate God’s justice and equity. We remember that God, leading the people in a pillar of cloud, answered their prayers, but also punished them for their evil deeds, and finally forgave them in the end. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord, our God, the Psalmist sings.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
This Sunday we begin a five-week visit with Paul’s first letter to the small community in Thessalonica in Northern Greece. This is thought to be the earliest surviving document in the New Testament, probably written around 50 CE, within the first generation after the Crucifixion. The Thessalonian Christians had been persecuted for giving up the dominant Roman religion that Paul and the early Christians considered pagan. Their faith, Paul says, had inspired many converts, who were now waiting for Jesus to rescue them “from the wrath that is coming.” Many Christians in this early time fully expected Jesus to return within their lifetimes to judge the world and establish the kingdom of God on Earth.
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22
Jesus, in Jerusalem in the last week before his passion and death, continues fencing with a group of Pharisees and temple leaders who have been plotting to have him killed. Now they try to trap Jesus with yet another trick question. Depending on his answer, they hope he will either anger the crowds by seemingly supporting Roman taxation, or risk treason against Rome by denying the emperor’s power. But Jesus outwits them as usual. He asks them to show him a coin, which reveals that they are casually carrying a forbidden graven image— the head of Tiberius Caesar— on each coin. Finally, when he tells them, “give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s,” Jesus leaves open the question of just how much that might be … and how much of our lives, on the other hand, we should give to God.
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
