Author: Administrador

It would seem that Matthew has offered preachers quite a gift — a ready-made three-point sermon on 1) charity, 2) prayer, and 3) fasting. These three are classic spiritual disciplines traditionally lifted up during Lent. Dividing the text into three parts, however, may not be the best way to approach this text on Ash Wednesday. … Continue reading “Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Commentary by O. Wesley Allen Jr.”

This passage enjoins us to humble acts of righteousness and a heavenward focus that are befitting of Christians preparing to enter the Lenten season. Our attitudes should not be those of self-seeking hypocrites but should reflect a heart focused on the kingdom of heaven. Verses 1-6 and 16-18 deal with the practice of three kinds … Continue reading “Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Commentary by Scott Shauf”

Today’s Gospel reading strikes many as an ironic choice for Ash Wednesday. Jesus tells the crowd assembled to hear his sermon on the mount that they should avoid showing off their piety. After hearing his words read in church, we are marked with ashes, and then we walk out bearing the sign of the cross … Continue reading “Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Commentary by Judith Jones”

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 is the traditional gospel lesson for Ash Wednesday, being read each year. It includes Jesus’ teaching on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, which became penitential practices especially associated with Lent, as well as a saying about earthly and heavenly treasures. This commentary will focus on 6:1-6, 16-18. The structure of these verses is … Continue reading “Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Commentary by Stephen Hultgren”

It was a very cold afternoon in Philadelphia. The students of my Intro to Worship class and I went to Logan Square to celebrate Ash Wednesday. We gathered together with the Welcome Church, a congregation made up of homeless people. We gathered around a tilted plastic table and placed the bread and the wine on … Continue reading “Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Commentary by Cláudio Carvalhaes”

En este pasaje, Jesús continúa explorando la relevancia de la Ley para sus seguidores y la sociedad. La Ley, incluso la Ley de Dios entregó a Moisés, debe ser visto y re-interpretado a la luz de las realidades contemporáneas. Tal visto no tiene que disminuir el reto de apropiarse de los antiguos textos bíblicos para … Continue reading “San Mateo 5:38-48 Comentario por Emerson Powery”

En Mateo 5:48 Jesús dice, “Sed, pues, vosotros perfectos, como vuestro Padre que está en los cielos es perfecto.” En el original griego, la palabra “perfecto” es teleios, y se deriva la palabra griega telos, que significa “el fin” o “la meta.” “Perfecto” en griego significa, pues, haber llegado al completo desarrollo, a tu fin … Continue reading “San Mateo 5:38-48 Comentario por Dana K. Nelson”

In this passage, Jesus continues to explore the relevance of the Law for his followers and society. The Law, even God’s Law handed to Moses, must be engaged and re-interpreted in light of contemporary realities.  Such engagement need not lessen the challenge of appropriating ancient biblical texts for modern society.  Jesus’ own teaching is an … Continue reading “Matthew 5:38-48 Commentary by Emerson Powery”

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ first discourse in Matthew’s Gospel. The evangelist has spent most of the first four chapters (1:1-4:11) introducing the audience to Jesus as a kingly figure. As the son of David (1:1-17), Jesus meets powerful foes in the beginning of this Gospel. Even in his infancy this king was … Continue reading “Matthew 5:38-48 Commentary by Carla Works”

En las últimas semanas, hemos leído una serie de lecciones sobre los peligros de la reducción de la obra de Dios a una fórmula ritual, o tratando de usar nuestras prácticas comunales para evitar dar a nuestros corazones y vidas a Dios y al prójimo. Contexto Leccionario La lección de esta semana de Mateo 5 … Continue reading “San Mateo 5:21-37 Comentario por Amy Oden”