Settling out of Court
by Herb Montgomery Featured Text: While you go along with your opponent on the way, make an effort to get loose from him, lest the opponent hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the assistant, and the…
Judging the Time
by Herb Montgomery Featured Text: “But he said to them, ‘When evening has come, you say: Good weather! For the sky is flame red.” And at dawn: “Today it's wintry! For the lowering sky is flame red.” The face of…
More Precious than Many Sparrows
by Herb Montgomery Featured Text: “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them will fall to earth without your Father’s care. But even the hairs of your head all are numbered. Do not be afraid,…
More than a Prophet
(And the Inability of Those in “Fine Clothing”) by Herb Montgomery “And when they had left, he began to talk to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by…
The Tree Is Known by its Fruit
BY HERB MONTGOMERY “No healthy tree bears rotten fruit, nor, on the other hand‚ does a decayed tree bear healthy fruit. For from the fruit the tree is known. Are figs picked from thorns, or grapes from thistles? The good…
The Beatitudes for the Poor, Hungry, and Mourning
by Herb Montgomery And raising his eyes to his disciples he said: Blessed are you poor, for God’s reign is for you. Blessed are you who hunger, for you will eat your fill. Blessed are you who mourn, for you…
The Sayings of Jesus
by Herb Montgomery Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. (Matthew 5.1-2, emphasis added.) From each of us here at…
Two Visions [or Versions] of Peace (Part 3 of 3)
The Subversive Narratives of Advent: Part 3 of 3 by Herb Montgomery “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of…
Is Your Theism An Opiate?
BY HERB MONTGOMERY A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed…
Ethical Teachings Versus Supernatural Claims
BY HERB MONTGOMERY “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do as I teach? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They…