Exegesis | Preaching Hope

The Resurrection of the Lord, Mass of Easter Day ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

It is very early on the first day of the week when Mary Magdala comes to the tomb. In fact, it is still dark. She does not come with any...

susan mcgurgan

5 days ago5 min read

14 views

0 comments

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion ~ "Deep Wounds" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

I read the passion of Jesus and I am convicted by one question. How shallow is my faith? When I hear of the arrest, the trial, the...

susan mcgurgan

Apr 92 min read

12 views

0 comments

Lent 5 C ~Jn 8:1-11 ~ "Crossing the Kidron" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

The span of earth from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives is etched into our spiritual geography. The heights of the Holy City are capped...

susan mcgurgan

Apr 18 min read

19 views

0 comments

Lent 4 ~Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ~ "Robe, Ring and Sandals" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

One of my favorite passages in the Scriptures was the first reading last Sunday. The passage shows Moses going up the mountain, taking...

susan mcgurgan

Mar 243 min read

27 views

0 comments

Lent 3 C ~ Ex. 3:1-8a, 13-15 ~ "Holy Ground" ~ Susan McGurgan

A young Ukrainian violinist, standing alone in a basement in Kyiv, plays a haunting arrangement of an old Ukrainian folk song, filming...

susan mcgurgan

Mar 203 min read

30 views

0 comments

Lent 2 C~ Lk9:28b-36 ~"Beloved" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

From his miraculous birth to his baptism in the waters of the Jordan— from the feeding of the five thousand to the empty tomb on Easter...

susan mcgurgan

Mar 124 min read

32 views

0 comments

Lent 1 C ~ Lk 4:1-13 ~ "Company in the Wilderness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

St. Luke sets the scene quickly and with attention to the key details. Jesus has been baptized at the Jordan by John and now a new drama...

susan mcgurgan

Mar 56 min read

37 views

0 comments

8 OT C ~ Lk. 6:39-45 ~"The Store of Goodness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

In his sermon on the plain, Jesus provides sayings that instruct his followers in the way of life. We hear him tell us, “Good fruit”...

susan mcgurgan

Feb 256 min read

41 views

0 comments

7 OT C ~ Lk 6:27-38 ~ "A New Vision" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

A friend of mine is a judge and we were talking one day about the sacrament of reconciliation. She said that my job was a little like...

susan mcgurgan

Feb 183 min read

63 views

0 comments

6 OT C ~Lk 6:17, 20-26 ~ "A New Lens" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

When I was in grade school, our Brittney Spaniel reached up to snatch a ball I was throwing, and her claw scratched my cornea. During the...

susan mcgurgan

Feb 124 min read

53 views

0 comments

5 OT C ~ Is. 6:1-2a, 3-8; Lk 5:1-11 ~ "The Deep" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

For Simon and James and John, it had been one of those nights. One of those long, cold nights when every fish in the sea seemed to be...

susan mcgurgan

Feb 44 min read

96 views

0 comments

"A Reflection on Method" Preparing a Homily for the Feast of the Presentation ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

As I prepare to send this homily for the Feast of the Presentation to Susan McGurgan—wonderful friend and homiletics colleague—I hunched...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 318 min read

27 views

0 comments

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Lk 2:22-40 ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD.

There is a structure to biblical praise. Patterns and rituals order the prayer and praise of God’s people. So, in faithfulness to...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 286 min read

49 views

0 comments

3 OT C ~ "Fulfilled" ~ Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21, Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min

Last Sunday we heard the first words and the final words of the Mother of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Today, we hear the first words...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 213 min read

31 views

0 comments

2 OT C ~ "Tidal Wave" ~ Jn 2:1-11 Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Who knows what really happened that day? Maybe the guests were unusually rowdy, or the party, unexpectedly fun. Maybe the host scrimped...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 153 min read

144 views

0 comments

The Baptism of the Lord C ~ "Walking in the World Wet" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

The Gospel of Luke takes us into the wilderness this week, to the banks of the Jordan River, a holy spot of remembrance and hope for the...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 73 min read

50 views

0 comments

Shaping a Homily for the Epiphany: An Exercise in David Buttrick's Homiletic ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, Ph.D.

When it came time for David Buttrick to offer a sample of his distinctive method of preaching, he selected the Gospel Lesson for the...

susan mcgurgan

Jan 212 min read

27 views

0 comments

The Epiphany of the Lord C ~ "Following the Star" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

These Magi are probably Persian and would be devoted to studying the stars in order to find learning in the events here on earth. They...

susan mcgurgan

Dec 31, 20246 min read

13 views

0 comments

The Nativity of the Lord ~ "Which Shepherd?" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

I have always loved the shepherds in the Christmas story. And it might have a little to do with having played the part of the shepherd...

susan mcgurgan

Dec 23, 20245 min read

29 views

0 comments

Advent 4 ~ "Journey to the Hill Country" ~ Lk 1:39-45 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

We are almost ready to go to Bethlehem. We are almost ready to look for an inn and to hear the angels and see the shepherds. The trees...

susan mcgurgan

Dec 16, 20242 min read

55 views

0 comments

The Resurrection of the Lord, Mass of Easter Day ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion ~ "Deep Wounds" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 5 C ~Jn 8:1-11 ~ "Crossing the Kidron" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Lent 4 ~Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ~ "Robe, Ring and Sandals" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 3 C ~ Ex. 3:1-8a, 13-15 ~ "Holy Ground" ~ Susan McGurgan

Lent 2 C~ Lk9:28b-36 ~"Beloved" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Lent 1 C ~ Lk 4:1-13 ~ "Company in the Wilderness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

8 OT C ~ Lk. 6:39-45 ~"The Store of Goodness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

7 OT C ~ Lk 6:27-38 ~ "A New Vision" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

6 OT C ~Lk 6:17, 20-26 ~ "A New Lens" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

5 OT C ~ Is. 6:1-2a, 3-8; Lk 5:1-11 ~ "The Deep" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

"A Reflection on Method" Preparing a Homily for the Feast of the Presentation ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Lk 2:22-40 ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD.

3 OT C ~ "Fulfilled" ~ Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21, Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min

2 OT C ~ "Tidal Wave" ~ Jn 2:1-11 Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

The Baptism of the Lord C ~ "Walking in the World Wet" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Shaping a Homily for the Epiphany: An Exercise in David Buttrick's Homiletic ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, Ph.D.

The Epiphany of the Lord C ~ "Following the Star" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

The Nativity of the Lord ~ "Which Shepherd?" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Advent 4 ~ "Journey to the Hill Country" ~ Lk 1:39-45 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

What's New?

New Position for Susan McGurgan
Susan is now the Director of the Preach All Ways Lilly Compelling Preaching Grant and Associate Professor of Theology at Marian University, Indianapolis.

20 OT B ~ "A Deeper Union with Christ" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min. ~Preach This Week

Subscribe Form

The Resurrection of the Lord, Mass of Easter Day ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion ~ "Deep Wounds" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 5 C ~Jn 8:1-11 ~ "Crossing the Kidron" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Lent 4 ~Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 ~ "Robe, Ring and Sandals" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 3 C ~ Ex. 3:1-8a, 13-15 ~ "Holy Ground" ~ Susan McGurgan

Lent 2 C~ Lk9:28b-36 ~"Beloved" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Lent 1 C ~ Lk 4:1-13 ~ "Company in the Wilderness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

8 OT C ~ Lk. 6:39-45 ~"The Store of Goodness" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

7 OT C ~ Lk 6:27-38 ~ "A New Vision" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

6 OT C ~Lk 6:17, 20-26 ~ "A New Lens" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

5 OT C ~ Is. 6:1-2a, 3-8; Lk 5:1-11 ~ "The Deep" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

"A Reflection on Method" Preparing a Homily for the Feast of the Presentation ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Lk 2:22-40 ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD.

3 OT C ~ "Fulfilled" ~ Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21, Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min

2 OT C ~ "Tidal Wave" ~ Jn 2:1-11 Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

The Baptism of the Lord C ~ "Walking in the World Wet" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Shaping a Homily for the Epiphany: An Exercise in David Buttrick's Homiletic ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, Ph.D.

The Epiphany of the Lord C ~ "Following the Star" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

The Nativity of the Lord ~ "Which Shepherd?" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Advent 4 ~ "Journey to the Hill Country" ~ Lk 1:39-45 ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

What's New?

New Position for Susan McGurgan Susan is now the Director of the Preach All Ways Lilly Compelling Preaching Grant and Associate Professor of Theology at Marian University, Indianapolis. 20 OT B ~ "A Deeper Union with Christ" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min. ~Preach This Week

Subscribe Form

New Position for Susan McGurgan
Susan is now the Director of the Preach All Ways Lilly Compelling Preaching Grant and Associate Professor of Theology at Marian University, Indianapolis.

20 OT B ~ "A Deeper Union with Christ" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min. ~Preach This Week