August 30, 2026

Our Lectionary readings for next Sunday, August 30, are Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor in the 1930s during the rise of Hitler. His Christian commitment eventually led to his arrest, imprisonment, and execution by the Nazi authorities. Bonhoeffer wrote one of the most important books of the 20th century. The German title is Nachfolge--"Following After." It is a book on discipleship in which the cross of Christ provides the pattern for the lives of followers of Jesus. 

What  are ways in which the cross can shape our lives today? One way Bonhoeffer discusses has to do with our relations with fellow believers: "Jesus' call to bear the cross places all who follow him in the community of forgiveness of sins. Forgiving sins is the Christ-suffering required of his disciples. It is required of  all Christians."