The Parable of the Vineyard illustrates in striking terms the long-suffering patience of God toward his wayward children. No one else, no human landowner would ever act in such a way. If you sent your servants to collect the rent and they were beaten, would you send more servants? Of course not. And…

Pastor Scamman

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

When you read our text, you might ask, “What is Jesus doing once again in a house full of his enemies?” Perhaps that’s the sort of dinner invitation he ought to turn down. You and I might turn that invitation down, but not Jesus. That’s good news for us because at one time we were his enemies. Aren’t…

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Had there been newspapers in Bible days, the headline the next day might have read, “Jesus ruins another funeral—Yesterday’s function was hopelessly derailed when Jesus showed up uninvited and canceled the ceremony. Even though the whole town had come out to bury the young man, their efforts were unsuccessful.…

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

I am once against struck by the timeliness of God’s unchanging word, which applies to every situation in every generation. This week we learned that none of the flood damage at St. Paul will be covered by insurance, that everything must be paid for out of pocket. And this week, according to the ancient…

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Today we read of the “failed” ministry of John the Baptist. Those who had been with him in the beginning could remember the days of large crowds, when everybody flocked to hear John speak. The church was full, or rather, the Jordan River. But then something happened. John was arrested. His followers…

The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

In the Old Testament text chosen for this day, the Lord God gives us a glimpse of the future He has in store for all believers: “Behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth, and the former things (that is, the sorrows of this life) shall not be remembered or come into mind. No more shall there be…

Funeral of Anne Pietrzak

Today, as the Christian church gathers to receive the gifts of Christ, we remember St. Mary, who was chosen from all women to become the mother of God. This is the highest honor ever bestowed upon any member of the human race, and every generation since has rightly called her the blessed virgin Mary.…

St. Mary, Mother of God

This Sunday is sometimes called “False Prophet Sunday” because the readings from the Old Testament and Gospel are both warnings against false prophets. False Prophet Sunday was the occasion for my installation and my first Sunday as your pastor. What a great way to be ushered into the ministry: “Here…

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

James and John, his brother, came to Jesus with a plan to secure positions of status and honor in the Kingdom of God. “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” (Mk 10:35). It’s always dangerous to promise to do an unnamed favor, but Jesus, being God, already knows what they want. Even…

St. James, the Elder

Tell me if you agree with this statement: “If I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find forgiveness given there.” Is this statement the biblical truth, or is it heresy? Let me say it again, “If I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will…

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

St. Paul says that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now ( Rom 8:22 ). By using the analogy of childbirth, St. Paul makes reference to the Fall of man and curse that resulted from sin, a curse that includes the physical pains of giving birth. Every woman who…

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Jesus loves sinners. This is one part of the gospel message that the Church seems to have effectively communicated to the outside world. Most unbelievers who have just the vaguest notions about Christianity seem to have heard that Jesus, whoever He may be, was welcoming and loving towards sinners. It’s…

Third Sunday after Trinity

St. John writes to us in his epistle, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” ( 1 John 3:13 ). John is simply repeating the words of Jesus, who said to the disciples, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first” ( John 15:18 ). Certainly, the world hates Jesus. In our Gospel…

Second Sunday after Trinity

Today we hear and consider Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man. This has been the custom of the Church catholic on this First Sunday after Trinity for at least twelve-hundred years. But as these words are read today, I wonder how many people across our country might want to refashion them to say…

First Sunday after Trinity

It is the fifth week of the seven-week season of Easter. You will notice that as we near the day of Pentecost, the texts increasingly focus on the coming of the Holy Spirit. While Jesus was still with his disciples on earth, he began to teach them of the Holy Spirit, in preparation for the day of his…

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Pastor Scamman

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