…I say to you all that if you are angry with a sister or brother, you will be liable to judgment, and if you call a sister or brother an idiot, you will be subject to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be subject to the hell of fire.
~Matthew 5:22

Image: James, Laura. Sermon on the Mount, 2010, New York, NY, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57891 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: Laura James, https://www.laurajamesart.com/collections/religious/.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow…”
~Matthew 13:1-3

Image: Gogh, Vincent van, 1853-1890. Sower at Sunset, 1888, painting, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57797 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van_Gogh_-_S%C3%A4mann_bei_untergehender_Sonne.jpeg.

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
~Matthew 14:15-16

Image: Swanson, John August. Loaves and Fishes, 2003, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56553 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
~Matthew 6:19-21

Image: Attribution various - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn or Gerard Dou. Parable of the hidden treasure, painting, ca. 1630 CE, Esterhazy Castle, Budapest, Hungary, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55010 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parable_of_the_hidden_treasure_Rembrandt_-_Gerard_Dou.jpg.

The SOVEREIGN God crafted the human from the dust of the humus and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life, and the human became a living soul. And the SOVEREIGN God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there placed the human whom God had formed.
~Genesis 2:7-8
Translation: Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.

Image: Monet, Claude, 1840-1926. Artist's Garden at Giverny, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57338 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Artist%27s_Garden_at_Giverny_by_Claude_Monet_1900.jpeg.

Jesus said, “Now, beware of practicing your justness before other people in order to be seen by them; surely, lest you have no reward from your Creator in heaven.
~Matthew 6:1
Translation: Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.

Image: Praying hands, courtesy of wallpaperaccess.com.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light.
~Matthew 17:1-2

Image: Transfiguration of Christ, 1600’s CE, Benaki Museum, Athans, Greece, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56416 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Transfiguration_-_Google_Art_Project_(715792).jpg.

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples.
~Matthew 9:18-19

Image: Jesus Raises Girl to Life, National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland, Metal relief sculpture, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55237 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feargal/6410830967/.

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
~Isaiah 42:1

Image: Purification of Isaiah, Amiens Cathedral, Stone relief sculpture, 1220-1240 CE, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29239 [retrieved January 23, 2026]. Original source: image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the reign of God and curing every disease and every malady among the people.
~Matthew 4:23

Image: Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, Anonymous, 521-547 CE, from Saint Appolinaire Nuovo Basilica, Ravenna, Italy; from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59393 [retrieved December 14, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christus_Ravenna_Mosaic.jpg.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
~Isaiah 9:2

Image: Coventry Cathedral - John Piper's baptistery window, Stained Glass, 1956-1962, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54907 [retrieved December 14, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgeezer/2426416488/.

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’ ”

~Matthew 3:1-3

Image: Valente, Liz. Baptism of Jesus, Drawing, 2021, Church of Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59319 [retrieved December 14, 2025]. Original source: Liz Valente, https://www.instagram.com/donalizvalente/.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”
~Matthew 2:1-2

Image: Dürer, Albrecht, 1471-1528. 1504. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=46303 [retrieved December 14, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albrecht-D%C3%BCrer-005.jpg.

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Image: Angels Worship the Christ Child, carved retable, St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K., from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57898 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/6611391645.

So all went to be registered, each to their own towns. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, for he was from the house and heritage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was betrothed and who was pregnant. So it was, that, while they were there, the time came for her to birth her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and swaddled him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
~Luke 2:3-7
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Nativity on Ivory, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=31702 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: Prof. Patout J. Burns.

Now, this is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to have a child in her womb from the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a just man and unwilling to shame her; he wanted to divorce her secretly. But when he deliberated this, suddenly an angel of the Most High God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for in her is conceived a child from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” “
~Matthew 1:18-21
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Gandolfi, Gaetano, 1734-1802. Joseph's Dream, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54282 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:'Joseph's_Dream',_painting_by_Gaetano_Gandolfi,_c._1790.jpg.

Sarah was the mother of Isaac,
And Rebekah was the mother of Jacob,
Leah was the mother of Judah,
Tamar was the mother of Perez.
The names of the mothers of Hezron, Ram, Aminadab,
Nahshoon, and Salmon have been lost.
Rahab was the mother of Boaz,
and Ruth was the mother of Obed.
Obed’s wife, whose name is unknown, bore Jesse.
The wife of Jesse was the mother of David.
Bathsheba was the mother of Solomon…
~ From “A Genealogy of Jesus Christ,” by Ann Patrick Ware. Public Domain

Image: Swanson, John August. Story of Ruth, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56561 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

There appeared to Zechariah a messenger of the Living God, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Now Zechariah was shaken when he saw the messenger and fear overwhelmed him. But the messenger said to him, “Fear not, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son for you, and you will call his name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many at his birth will rejoice
~Luke 1:11-13;
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Zechariah Coming out of the Temple Speechless, Cathedral of Amiens, 1508-1519, painted medallion on choir-screen, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29361 [retrieved November 4, 2025]. Original source: image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson.

Jesus said, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Son of Woman is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
~Matthew 24:32-35
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Harpursville after the storm, 2014. P. Raube.

Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
~Jeremiah 23:3-4

Image: Catacomb of Callixtus, 3rd Century, Rome, Italy - The Good Shepherd, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54382 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/2594526135/.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
~Luke 21:5-6

Image: Bokvoed, Temple Mount, Jerusalem, 2019. Creative Commons License, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.
~Haggai 2:4-5

Image: Swanson, John August. Presentation in the Temple (1988, Los Angeles, CA), from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56557 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

He entered Jericho and was passing through it.  A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
~Luke 19:1-2

Image: Cara B. Hochhalter, “Zacchaeus,” Woodcut, 2019, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59299 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Cara B. Hochhalter.

For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
~Romans 3:22b-24

Image: Andrea di Vanni d'Andrea, ca. 1332-ca. 1414. St. Paul, Paint on Wooden Panel, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=50504 [retrieved September 16, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_Vanni._St_Paul.Boston_MFA.jpg.

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’”
~Luke 18:2-3

Image: John Everett Millais (1829-1896), Parable of the Unjust Judge (1863; illustration for “Parables of Our Lord”), Public Domain.

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
~Jeremiah 29:4-7

Image: Christ with the Grateful Samaritan Leper, 20th c., St. Andrew’s Church, Buckland, Oxfordshire. UK, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57163 [retrieved October 7, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Andrew,_Buckland,_Herts_-_Window_-_geograph.org.uk_-_368076.jpg.

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ ”
~Luke 17:7-10

Image: Hochhalter, Cara B.. A Parable - The Mustard Seed, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59282 [retrieved September 26, 2025]. Original source: Cara B. Hochhalter.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores…”
~Luke 16:19-21

Image: Wesley, Frank, 1923-2002. Lazarus at the Door of the Rich Man, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59195 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Estate of Frank Wesley, http://www.frankwesleyart.com/main_page.htm.

Then Jesus[a] said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer…’”
~Luke 16:1-2

Image: George Frederick Watts (1817-1904), Mammon (or, Mammon, Dedicated to His Worshipers), (1885), Oil on Canvas, Tate Museum, London, UK. Public Domain. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable…
~ Luke 15:1-3

Image: Fetti, Domenico, approximately 1589-1623. Lost Coin, Painting, between 1618 and 1622, Dresden, Germany, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54793 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parable_of_the_Lost_Drachma_by_Fetti.jpg.