Sunday's Common
Sunday's Common is a resource for Christian leaders working with gospel passages assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary. Episodes of about twenty minutes include a reading of the text, background, commentary, a sermon excerpt, and ideas for children.
Episodes
56 episodes
July 19, 2026: Sow What? (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
Jesus tells and explains another agricultural parable, this time involves wheat and lookalike weeds.
July 12, 2026: Sow Much (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
Jesus tosses out a parable about the mixed destiny of the word in the world.
July 5, 2026: The Young and the Restless (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30)
In the face of dismissal and rejection, Jesus offers praise to God and rest to the weary and weighed down.
June 28, 2026: Welcome Extended (Matthew 10:42-44)
Jesus concludes his instructions to the apostles with hopeful words about receiving welcome and reward.
June 21, 2026: First Beings First (Matthew 10:24-39)
Jesus continues his instructions to his apostles, delineating powers and priorities to remember when inevitable resistance and rejection come.
June 14, 2026: Go (Matthew 9:35--10:8 [9-23])
Jesus looks with compassion upon the hurting crowds and begins to prepare his disciples to be dispatched as bearers of good news.
June 7, 2026: Mercy Calling (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26)
Jesus champions mercy by calling a tax collector, keeping questionable company, and restoring two daughters to health and life.
May 31, 2026: Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20)
The risen Jesus commissions his followers to disciple the nations, baptizing, teaching, and remembering.
May 24, 2026: Pentecost (John 7:37-39)
Jesus previews the Holy Spirit as a flowing river of living water.
May 17, 2026: Out of This World (John 17:1-11)
On the night before his death, Jesus prays for his disciples.
May 10, 2026: Another Voice (John 14:15-21)
On the eve of his departure by death, Jesus promises a different Presence, assuring that his disciples will not be left helpless or alone.
May 3, 2026: Goodbye Promises (John 14:1-14)
On the night before his death, Jesus speaks words of reassurance and promise to his troubled disciples.
April 26, 2026: Give or Take (John 10:1-10)
Jesus draws a contrast between a trustworthy shepherd and thieves, bandits, and strangers while also describing himself as the gate for the sheep.
April 19, 2026: Heart Burn (Luke 24:13-35)
The risen, unrecognized Jesus accompanies two disciples on the road toward Emmaus, walking them through Scripture from grief to joy.
April 12, 2026: Beyond Closed Doors (John 20:19-31)
The risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples to give them peace and a mission.
April 5, 2026: The Resurrection of Our Lord (Matthew 28:1-10)
When women come to the tomb looking for the corpse of Jesus, all heaven breaks loose.
March 29, 2026: Passion Sunday - Who Killed Jesus?
Please read the passion narratives, especially from Matthew and John, with care, sensitivity, and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of our Jewish neighbors.
March 29, 2026: Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11)
Jesus and his disciples draw near to Jerusalem, then parade into the city escorted by palm branches and praise.
March 22, 2026: Help a Friend Out (John 11:1-45)
Jesus tells Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life," then backs it up by raising her brother Lazarus from the grave.
March 15, 2026: Seen and Unseen (John 9:1-41)
Jesus brings both vision and division, giving sight on a sabbath to a man born blind.
March 8, 2026: To Well and Back (John 4:5-42)
Jesus speaks with an astute Samaritan woman about living water and his dumbstruck disciples about an abundant harvest.
March 1, 2026: How Can These Things Be? (John 3:1-17)
Jesus talks with Nicodemus about heavenly things beyond human grasping.
February 22, 2026: Testing (Matthew 4:1-11)
The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil.