Exegesis | Preaching Hope

Easter 6 B ~ John 15:9-17 ~ "Loving One Another" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Apr 30, 20246 min read

Easter 6 B ~ John 15:9-17 ~ "Loving One Another" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

This Sunday is all about love. As Jesus speaks to his disciples, and to us, in this lesson, the word, “love,” pops up at least nine...

22 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Apr 23, 20244 min read

Easter 5 B ~ "Lessons from the Vineyard" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

I remember the first time I visited a vineyard, and despite the many references in scripture to vineyards, vines, branches— references...

58 views0 comments

Easter 4 B ~ "A Place of Unity, A Place of Healing, A Place of Worship" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D. Min.

susan mcgurgan

Apr 15, 20243 min read

Easter 4 B ~ "A Place of Unity, A Place of Healing, A Place of Worship" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D. Min.

On the Sundays of Easter, Luke shares with us some of the great stories of our ancestors in the family of faith in Christ Jesus. We have...

71 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Apr 8, 20243 min read

Easter 3 B~"Yet His Scars Remain" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of finding and creating beauty from brokenness. In this process, shattered pieces of porcelain and pottery...

174 views0 comments

Easter 2 B John 20:19-31, ~"Spending Time Behind Locked Doors" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

susan mcgurgan

Apr 1, 20246 min read

Easter 2 B John 20:19-31, ~"Spending Time Behind Locked Doors" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Our environment shouts to us all that Christ is risen,…risen indeed! The white and gold paraments and vestments, the flowers, our Easter...

27 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Mar 19, 20243 min read

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion B ~"Borrowed"~ Susan McGurgan D.Min.

The journey into Jerusalem began with waving palms and adoring crowds shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the...

43 views0 comments

Lent 5 B ~ "Choose Your Adventure" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

susan mcgurgan

Mar 11, 20244 min read

Lent 5 B ~ "Choose Your Adventure" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am there also will my servant be. When I was a kid I used to read these “Choose your own...

78 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Mar 4, 20244 min read

Lent 4 A (Scrutiny Readings) ~ "Open Eyes" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

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

112 views0 comments

Lent 3 B ~ "Gallows-Birds and Other Fools" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

susan mcgurgan

Feb 26, 20246 min read

Lent 3 B ~ "Gallows-Birds and Other Fools" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

St. Paul is writing a letter to the Christians at Corinth because he is very familiar with that congregation. After all, he founded the...

96 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Feb 19, 20247 min read

Lent 2 B ~"The Mt. Moriah Son Test"~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Given any other choice, preachers don’t often choose to preach on this passage from Genesis. At least, I don’t remember many sermons that...

143 views0 comments

Lent 1 B ~ "This Lent..." ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

susan mcgurgan

Feb 12, 20242 min read

Lent 1 B ~ "This Lent..." ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Every Lent I seem to do the same things. I think about the great season of Lent and the joy of preparing for the great feast of Easter,...

129 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Feb 5, 20244 min read

6 OT B ~ "The God of Mending" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

One of the names of God is Jehovah-Rapha. The word “rapha” is typically translated “heal” meaning, “The God who Heals.” But, the heart of...

107 views0 comments

5 OT B ~"Not Permitted to Speak" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

susan mcgurgan

Jan 30, 20245 min read

5 OT B ~"Not Permitted to Speak" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

During more peaceful times, we pilgrims to the Holy Land flew in to Tel Aviv and after landing, we were transferred from the airplane to...

38 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Jan 23, 20243 min read

4 OT B ~ "Loose in the Synagogue" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

It is Sabbath morning in Capernaum, and the smell of last night’s catch still lingers on the breeze and rises from the boats anchored...

115 views0 comments

3 OT B ~ "...as a Disciple" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

susan mcgurgan

Jan 15, 20243 min read

3 OT B ~ "...as a Disciple" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

In August of 2002, I entered seminary in Buffalo, New York. I was discerning and studying with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a...

80 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Jan 9, 20244 min read

2 OT B ~ "We Need Andrews" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

I grew up in Oklahoma in the land of red clay, tall thermometers, and Oral Roberts -- a deeply religious corner of the world where Friday...

157 views0 comments

The Epiphany of the Lord B ~"Home by Another Way"~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

susan mcgurgan

Jan 2, 20246 min read

The Epiphany of the Lord B ~"Home by Another Way"~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

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

45 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Dec 26, 20232 min read

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ~ "Anna" ~Susan McGurgan D.Min.

Embedded deep within the Bible-- and just a little hidden sometimes, by the Prophets and the Kings and the Warriors and the Priests and...

118 views0 comments

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

susan mcgurgan

Dec 23, 20233 min read

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...

28 views0 comments

susan mcgurgan

Dec 18, 20232 min read

Advent 4 B ~ "The Impossible" ~ Susan McGurgan, DMin

I hear a lot of homilies and read a lot of reflections that focus on Mary’s obedience. Her receptivity. Her quietness. Her “Yes.” Most of...

134 views0 comments

Easter 6 B ~ John 15:9-17 ~ "Loving One Another" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Easter 5 B ~ "Lessons from the Vineyard" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Easter 4 B ~ "A Place of Unity, A Place of Healing, A Place of Worship" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D. Min.

Easter 3 B~"Yet His Scars Remain" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Easter 2 B John 20:19-31, ~"Spending Time Behind Locked Doors" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion B ~"Borrowed"~ Susan McGurgan D.Min.

Lent 5 B ~ "Choose Your Adventure" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 4 A (Scrutiny Readings) ~ "Open Eyes" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

Lent 3 B ~ "Gallows-Birds and Other Fools" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Lent 2 B ~"The Mt. Moriah Son Test"~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Lent 1 B ~ "This Lent..." ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

6 OT B ~ "The God of Mending" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

5 OT B ~"Not Permitted to Speak" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

4 OT B ~ "Loose in the Synagogue" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

3 OT B ~ "...as a Disciple" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

2 OT B ~ "We Need Andrews" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

The Epiphany of the Lord B ~"Home by Another Way"~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ~ "Anna" ~Susan McGurgan D.Min.

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

Advent 4 B ~ "The Impossible" ~ Susan McGurgan, DMin

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

Easter 6 B ~ John 15:9-17 ~ "Loving One Another" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger, PhD

Easter 5 B ~ "Lessons from the Vineyard" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Easter 4 B ~ "A Place of Unity, A Place of Healing, A Place of Worship" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D. Min.

Easter 3 B~"Yet His Scars Remain" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Easter 2 B John 20:19-31, ~"Spending Time Behind Locked Doors" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion B ~"Borrowed"~ Susan McGurgan D.Min.

Lent 5 B ~ "Choose Your Adventure" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

Lent 4 A (Scrutiny Readings) ~ "Open Eyes" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min

Lent 3 B ~ "Gallows-Birds and Other Fools" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Lent 2 B ~"The Mt. Moriah Son Test"~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

Lent 1 B ~ "This Lent..." ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

6 OT B ~ "The God of Mending" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

5 OT B ~"Not Permitted to Speak" ~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

4 OT B ~ "Loose in the Synagogue" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

3 OT B ~ "...as a Disciple" ~ Rev. Benjamin Roberts, D.Min.

2 OT B ~ "We Need Andrews" ~ Susan McGurgan, D.Min.

The Epiphany of the Lord B ~"Home by Another Way"~ Rev. Richard Eslinger

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph ~ "Anna" ~Susan McGurgan D.Min.

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

Advent 4 B ~ "The Impossible" ~ Susan McGurgan, DMin

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