Today’s readings have a special message for preachers because they show the positive effects of deeply hearing the Word of God. Nehemiah proclaims and interprets the law with such power that the people respond with tears

Sometimes scripture not only tells a story or points to a truth but also provides insight into itself. Preachers and ministers of the Word have a magnificent opportunity this week to explore this self-revealing dimension of scripture.

God is the Lord of Today, the God of Present Tense. "I AM" is the name God uses in the ancient stories of Israel. The Eternal One exists in an everlasting state of Now, which is why God expects things of us today more than any other day. As for most of us, trapped in the limited perspective of linear moments, we often get stuck in the past.

I held a number of part-time jobs growing up, working in lots of low-level departments in businesses, factories, and shops. Wherever I worked, one thing was always the same. My co-workers would eventually get around to saying, “Nobody appreciates what we do. If it weren’t for us, this place would fall apart.”

In this passage describing Jesus’ return to Galilee, Jesus is in a take-charge, electric mood. Imagine sitting in church and an altar boy from years ago walks up to the podium, reads from scripture about the coming of the Messiah, and then proclaims to the congregation that “this scripture is fulfilled this very day in me.”

Not long ago I gave a rousing speech at a tax relief rally about rising property taxes forcing people of moderate income to move out of their houses. After the speech I was congratulated by many people, including one shabbily dressed gentleman.

By the power of God’s Word we are saved. Before we bring our gifts of bread and wine to the altar, we do as Jesus instructed us and offer God the gift of our needs.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. The episode of Jesus reading in the synagogue tells us much about his person and ministry. First, he was a faithful Jew, attending sabbath services and taking his turn reading.

The Holy Spirit gives wisdom against folly, understanding against dullness, counsel against rashness, fortitude against fears, knowledge against ignorance, piety against hardness of our heart, and fear against pride.