Author: Administrador

The Book of Daniel is an amazingly complex work. The so-called Hebrew version of the text, which contains large sections of material written in Aramaic, contains two distinct parts: stories of Jews living in exile in Babylon and apocalyptic visions shown to the title character. The Greek version of the tales is distinctly longer than … Continue reading “Daniel 3:1, 8-30 Commentary by Corrine Carvalho”

The “valley of dry bones” is almost certainly the most beloved and well known of Ezekiel’s visions. The vividness of its imagery, the wonder of its unfolding narrative, and visceral appeal of its symbolism endow it with a sort of plug-and-play appeal–even an uninitiated reader can engage with this wonderful story. And yet the story … Continue reading “Ezekiel 37:1-14 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”

Our culture seems obsessed with death imagery. From crime investigation television shows like CSI and the aptly named Bones, to the revitalization of classic works of literature into ghoulish parodies such as Pride and Prejudice with Zombies, figures of death crowd the popular cultural landscape. If we turn our attention away from mere entertainment to … Continue reading “Ezekiel 37:1-14 Commentary by David G. Garber Jr.”

In this last Sunday before Holy Week, two texts promise resurrection. In Ezekiel, dry bones are knit back together and infused with life-giving breath, while in John, Lazarus is brought back to life after four days in the tomb. In neither case is resurrection life necessarily pretty. Resurrection is not new life, the perfect promise … Continue reading “Ezekiel 37:1-14 Commentary by Margaret Odell”

In this well-known passage from the book of Ezekiel, the prophet speaks over a field littered with dry bones, and the dead are resurrected. The passage lingers over the details: the bones rattle as they align themselves, stitched together with tendons, dressed with muscle, and finally draped with skin. Wrapped in wind, they come to … Continue reading “Ezekiel 37:1-14 Commentary by Corrine Carvalho”

Ezekiel is not a very pleasant text. In fact, the book might be the most thorough instance of “blaming the victim” in the history of world literature. Written as a response to the fall of Jerusalem to the neo-Babylonian empire in 587 BCE, the poems that riddle most of the book take great delight in … Continue reading “Ezekiel 36:24-28 Commentary by Corrine Carvalho”

Luminous promises radiate from this passage in Ezekiel. Only here in this otherwise alarming book is God a nurturing Shepherd who rescues and heals God’s people. The preacher may be tempted to treat these lyrical images in isolation from other oracles of Ezekiel, many of which are disturbing prophecies of doom. But the impact of … Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Commentary by Carolyn J. Sharp”

The “kingship” of Christ is problematic for some of us today because of its male and hierarchical overtones. Christ the King Sunday first emerged, as I understand it, as an attempt to counter the outlandish claims of some European dictators in the twentieth century. The real ruler of this age is Christ! The choice of … Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Commentary by Ralph W. Klein”

The Times They Are A-Changin’ These days at the end of November are a season of changing times. The elections are over and newly elected officials prepare to take their positions. The Pentecost season comes to an end and Advent begins next Sunday. The festival called “Christ the King” is eclipsed for both church and … Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Commentary by James Limburg”

The connection between justice and care is often lost in contemporary Christian practice.  We’ve gotten the memo on the importance of care, and today’s gospel lesson more than adequately underscores that message. When Christ returns as Lord to judge the nations, the only question he will ask is whether we fed the hungry and sheltered … Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Commentary by Margaret Odell”