We had two rather remarkable worship services at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia over the last few weeks that I wanted to share with you. Two weeks ago, for our community All Saints service, we remembered a different set of saints. Actually, the community prayed for the usual group of saints, those we have known and loved and have lost in the last year. But we also prayed for all those who have been killed by gun violence in the city of Philadelphia over the previous year as well. As part of that remembrance, a memorial to those victims was set up outside of our chapel. Sponsored by the interfaith coalition Neighborhood...

Dear Partner in Preaching, Do you like surprises? I’ll be honest, I’m a little conflicted about them. Actually not all that conflicted, as I really like surprising others – with an unexpected visit or gift, for instance – but I really don’t like being surprised myself. A bit hypocritical, perhaps, but there you go. I think it’s that I like being prepared, feeling more or less ready for what’s coming, and surprises undermine that kind of confidence. I ask this question because I think this passage turns on the matter of surprises. Notice that both those identified as sheep and those named goats are surprised by what Jesus says....

Thanks so much! I’ve very much enjoyed the ongoing discussion via the comments and thought I’d try to add to that conversation via another brief post. So…a few things that your comments have occasioned in me: Joy. One of the things that struck me upon reading this passage later and in light of some of our discussion was the repeated invitation, “Enter into the joy of your master.” It strikes me again that neither of the first two servants were afraid of the landowner like the third one was. They, in fact, were willing to go out and trade – that is, risk – the enormous wealth entrusted to them. (One talent represents about 15...