Reading Plan for May 17 - 23
May 17, 2026 | Matthew 14:1-12
Reflection:
The story of John’s death is full of salaciousness and scandal, political intrigue and power struggles. There have been plays, operas, paintings, and films that deal with this story that have caused as much scandal as the original. It does capture the imagination! What we’re reminded of, as we read this, is that John was an important figure whose work and life ran parallel to and were intertwined with Jesus’. This is real life. Jesus was alive during a very violent time. Life has continued to be violent in parallel ways throughout the last 20 centuries. Again and again, the righteous are caught up in the machinations of oppressive systems. Greedy and corrupt individuals still hold sway in this world. God’s purposes continue despite these despots. We are again and again called to act as Jesus calls us to act in this world: to let our light so shine before others, that all may see the good we do and give glory to God in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
May 18, 2026 | Matthew 14:13-21
Reflection:
This story of the feeding of the 5000 is well-known. Read the story this time and see if you hear anything new…or with fresh ears. What I hear is that this story flows from yesterday’s: the death of John the Baptist. After John’s death, Jesus seeks to be by himself. But the crowds find him. He doesn’t send them away. What he does, before he provides them with their “daily bread” is, out of compassion, “heal the sick among them.” One thing to know about this word “sick” is that the root of this word carries the meaning “that which will not leave.” The sicknesses Jesus cures are chronic. The “sick ones” had been ill for a long time, like the woman who dared to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment because she had been sick for 12 years; these people seeking out Jesus were unwell for such a long time that they could have lost all hope. Jesus doesn’t just cure their diseases; he restores them to life. What follows such healings is the story of feeding so many people. Jesus meets these folks' need for one day’s nourishment. The folks he heals, he restores to themselves, freeing them from a life where they thought there was no hope for a different way of life. Which is the greater miracle?
May 19, 2026 | Matthew 14:22-36
Reflection:
To picture this scene, think of Lake Tahoe. (You may or may not know it, but you can look up pictures.) The Sea of Galilee is just about the same size as Lake Tahoe. It’s not really that big, but it can get stormy. The lake is surrounded by mountains. Visualizing Tahoe may help you enter this story from Matthew. The “other side” is certainly visible. Jesus could have easily had a line of sight to see the disciples out on the boat. A storm could have proven deadly. All this, though, is a prelude to Jesus walking on the water and Peter seeking to join him. We can be in awe along with the disciples, seeing Jesus coming across the surface of the water. But I think that we, as readers, are called to put ourselves in Peter’s place. Jesus’ presence is meant to bring us hope and courage (the root of courage is the French coeur, which means “heart.”) We are bound to have moments and times of doubt in life, but the call to faith comes anew, again and again. Jesus rescues, saves, and emancipates from danger. Notice that Peter steps out of the boat while it is still storming. No wonder he faltered. Jesus meets him, not in the midst of calm, but of the storm. What would inspire you to call Jesus “Son of God” as the disciples do? Notice, as we read on, that Jesus goes to foreign territory to continue the work of healing. Like Peter, who stepped out into the storm to be close to Jesus, the people of Gennesaret “step out” of the chaos of their lives to meet this Jesus who brings a saving wholeness.
May 20, 2026 | Matthew 15:1-20
Reflection:
Jesus again challenges strict interpretations of the law, and religious leaders get upset. What is it that Jesus is calling people to that is so challenging to those who seek to keep the traditions faithfully? Jesus calls us away from hypocrisy. “You worry so much about what goes into the body, and you pay no attention to what comes out of it. Every action that counters the core of the law actually comes out of the heart.” Jesus doesn’t quite say, “Love is what should be flowing from the heart,” but it seems to be his intention. “Love is the spirit of the law. Love God and love your neighbor. This sums up the law. Concern yourselves with love.” What hypocrisy do you see in your own life that could be overcome by love?
May 21, 2026 | Matthew 15:21-28
Reflection:
Only Matthew and Mark tell this story. Matthew refers to this woman as “Canaanite,” and Mark calls her “Syrophoenician.” Why is that? The difference in terminology reflects the authors' intended audiences: Matthew uses "Canaanite" to highlight her as a traditional enemy of Israel to Jewish readers, while Mark uses "Syrophoenician" to describe her specific, regional Gentile identity to a Roman/Gentile audience. In both accounts, Jesus seems surprised that this woman exhibits such faith. Just a few days ago, we read how the people of Jesus’ own town rejected him. Now, Jesus finds “faith” outside of the bounds of Israel. Where might you be surprised to encounter people of faith? A few years ago, I was visiting a pastor friend in West Virginia. He said that some representatives from the Presbyterian Women came to him and asked, “We were debating this in our meeting: can people who speak Spanish be Christian?” My friend was dumbfounded. He eventually took them on a field trip to a Spanish-speaking Presbyterian church a few states over. There, they met people of faith, much to their surprise.
May 22, 2026 | Matthew 15:29-39
Reflection:
There is a man in Brazil, called “John of God,” who has claimed extraordinary healing powers. Thousands of people from all over the world have flocked to Brazil for a chance to experience his healing powers. This man has, in the last few years, been completely discredited, even having been convicted of multiple crimes and abuses. Human beings seem to have a deep need to seek healing, and will do almost anything to experience it. It was a little different in Jesus’ time. Crowds came in droves to see him and receive his touch. What must crowd management have been like? Folks were so desperate that they probably had not even brought food with them. Nonetheless, Jesus meets their needs. Notice what lies at the center of it: compassion. Jesus is so moved by this mass of humanity that he responds with extraordinary power. We should never forget that at the center of all that power was genuine compassion, feeling for and with the crowds. Jesus loved them and wanted them to experience the wholeness that comes from God. Who could resist seeking out this healer? What would you do to encounter such compassion?
May 23, 2026 | Matthew 16:1-12
Reflection:
Jesus calls us to watchfulness, but when does watchfulness cross over into paranoia? There are plenty of people out there who are interpreting the signs and are very willing to tell us what those signs mean. Is the end of time coming soon? In our time, we have plenty of reasons to be concerned about: constant war, the rise of authoritarianism around the globe, pandemics, and the threat of environmental collapse. Jesus, however, draws our attention to two things: avoiding hypocrisy and the opportunity for genuine repentance. The story of Jonah revolves around a wicked empire, Nineveh, and its corruption, greed, and abuse of power. Rather than preach a message of repentance to them, Jonah chooses to run in the other direction. He ends up in the belly of a big fish for three days. After this, he goes to Nineveh, preaches condemnation and the chance for turning to God. The Ninevites choose repentance. There is life after this for the Ninevites. There is life also after Jesus’ three days in the tomb. The message that follows Jesus’ leaving the tomb is all about grace and how God’s redeeming power transforms the worst of situations. There may be plenty of “doom” out there for us in the world. Jesus says, “Live with integrity and trust the one sign that matters: genuine life comes in turning to God.”