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
49 episodes
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.
February 15, 2026: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-9)
Six days later, six figures meet together in mountaintop glory, but the real story is what is said by an unseen Voice from the cloud.
February 8, 2026: Salt-N-Papa (Matthew 5:13-20)
You are salt and light, Jesus tells his hearers, called to flavor and illumine the world with righteousness beyond religion as usual.
February 1, 2026: Blessed (Matthew 5:1-12)
Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with a surprising roster of the blessed.
January 25, 2026: Dawn (Matthew 4:12-23)
After John is arrested, Jesus picks up his message and launches his own ministry.
January 18, 2026: Look and See (John 1:29-42)
John points out and testifies about the Lamb of God, who begins to attract disciples.
January 11, 2026: The Baptism of Our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17)
Amid John's misgivings and heaven's vocal and visual approval, Jesus is baptized.
January 4, 2026: Grace Upon Grace (John 1:[1-9]10-18)
John poetically plumbs the depths of what the arrival of human Jesus means for us and for all of creation.