Faithfulness and Creativity – Robert Saler reflects on the example of Saint Joseph. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 The readings for the fourth Sunday in Advent continue theRead More →
Expanding the Imagination with Vision – Robert Saler reflects on what might stir congregations to creative action. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year A (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 The Isaiah text for this week isRead More →
Granting Time, Rupturing Time – Robert Saler reflects on the real objects of our piety. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 8-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 In his deeply insightful book Capitalism and ReligionRead More →
A Christian Stance of Hopefulness – Robert Saler reflects on improvisation. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 At my seminary, I am currently facilitating an Augustine reading group. The groupRead More →
Keeping Ecological Theology from Becoming Ideology – Robert Saler reflects on the gift of opening ourselves to critique. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 28 – September 3, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 From anRead More →
The Tension Between Action and Rest – Robert Saler reflects on the right balance. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 21-27, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71: 1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 One of the most striking things about the gospel lesson forRead More →
Hard Sayings of Jesus: Blessing or Naming? – Robert Saler reflects on being a clear-eyed observer of human freedom and its effects. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 14-20, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 5:1-7 (semicontinuous reading) Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 (semicontinuous reading) Hebrews 11:29-12:2 LukeRead More →
Freedom from Fear is Freedom to Act – Robert Saler reflects on the conerstone Lutheran slogan, “justification by grace through faith apart from works.” Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 7-13, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 (semicontinuous reading) Psalm 50:1-8, 20-23 (semicontinuous reading)Read More →
Is Distance Our Security? – Robert Saler reflects on embracing interdependence joyfully. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday July 31 – August 6, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Hosea 11:1-11 (semicontinuous reading) Psalm 107:1-9, 43 (semicontinuous reading) Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21 Theologian Joseph Sittler once made theRead More →
Thinking with Nature Inspires Wonder – Robert Saler reflects on Jesus’ invitation towards valuation. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday July 24-30, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022) Hosea 1:2-10 (semicontinuous reading) Psalm 85 (semicontinuous reading) Colossians 2:6-15 Luke 11:1-13 One of the oft-stated goals of ecological theology (and ecologicalRead More →