Looking into the lectionary - What are we teaching our boys?

Matthew 25:14-30 25th Sunday after Pentecost 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 15, 2026 When I was a kid, every summer day when my brothers and I were home from school and my mom was at work, we were given chores to do. Invariably, however, we spent the majority of the day lounging in front of the TV or playing outside. My mom’s usual arrival time after work seemed so far away. After whiling away the day doing just what I wanted, I can distinctly remember hearing my mom’s car pull up the driveway. I would spring into action, as if I had been working all day, heart racing because I knew I was probably in trouble. My mom was never fooled. She knew we had wasted the day with our laziness. Our passage today from Matthew’s Gospel, the parable of the talents, feels similar: being charged with something and caught without doing it.   This passage comes in a series of three parables that deal with how one should live their lives in the face of the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus, in the previous chapter, has told us that there will come a time when we will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 24:30), but “about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36). The question then, in light of this promise, is how then should we live? The answer comes in three parables: the parable of the two servants, the parable of the ten bridesmaids and the parable of the talents.    The parable of the talents begins with what would have been a familiar situation for first-century hearers. A master is about to go away and entrusts all he has to his servants. The master gives each of the three slaves talents “according to (the slave’s) ability” (v. 15). When he returns from his trip, he holds a reckoning and the first two slaves do well. They have taken their talents and made more. But the third slave, out of fear, does nothing. He merely preserves the talent he was given and does nothing with it. The two slaves who used their talents well “enter into the joy of their master,” while the slave who has done nothing is thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v. 30). A hard master indeed. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Thank you to this week's writer, Tara Bulger. Thanks also to Robert Lowry who wrote an additional lectionary reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. We've got daily Advent devotionals and a long list of holiday liturgies to make your worship planning easier!

Order of worship — November 15, 2026 by Tara W. Bulger What has formed your theology? by Maggie Alsup What are we teaching our boys?  by Mathew Frease  A prayer for democracy on election day By Teri Ott

No other God: Voting, faith, and state intimidation  As citizens of the United States, we have the responsibility to vote and decide on the shape of our future. When we vote as Christians, we should make these decisions based on our vision of what God calls us to do, not what someone else might threaten us into doing. — Serene Jones  When a Presbyterian elder is taken by ICE After Pedro Garcia Luna was detained and deported to Mexico, his North Carolina congregation was left grieving his absence and navigating fear — while finding the faith to carry on. —  Harriet Riley At This Time: Dialogues in Theological Education What does theological education look like beyond enrollment and budgets? Amy Pagliarella explores the answers in "At This Time." — Amy Pagliarella A community of mutual belonging Drawing on Paul’s letter to Philemon, Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst delivers the W. Don McClure Lecture at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary — Mike Ferguson Theology Beer Camp creates radically inclusive space Annual gathering challenges attendees to be welcoming year-round.— Brandon M. Mercer Paul for the World  Nijay Gupta’s "Paul for the World" argues that the apostle’s writings are meant to change lives here and now, not just guide us to the afterlife. Samuel McCan offers a review. Breaking, Disintegrating, Scattering As communion goes sideways, a revelation: God’s kingdom always comes. — Larisa Kwong Abazia Discussion guide for October 2026 issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.— Donald L. Griggs  Advent planning doesn’t have to mean sorting through dozens of books and resources on your own. In this recorded webinar, Amy Pagliarella offers ideas for churches, small groups and individuals.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

WCC NEWS: WCC Faith and Order leaders reflect on deep encounters

Leaders of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order reflected on their most recent meeting, which concluded in Lund, Sweden on 31 October. 26 October 2026, Höör, Sweden: World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator of Faith and Order Rev. Dr Stephanie Dietrich speaks during the Commission on Faith and Order meeting taking place 25-31 October 2026, holding a wooden cross gifted to participants in the Faith and Order world conference held in Egypt the year before. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 02 November 2026 Leaders of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order reflected on their most recent meeting, which concluded in Lund, Sweden on 31 October.  Moderator of the commission Rev. Prof. Dr Stephanie Dietrich expressed appreciation for the Nordic context and encounters with the Nordic sister churches.  “How do we understand ourselves and how can we work even closer together?” she asked. “I think our work can contribute to come closer together and to be a witness in the world for the unity which the world needs.” The world is divided, she reflected. “We are becoming friends, we are discussing, and sometimes it's really hard and difficult discussions, but still we are standing together, so I think the way we encounter each other on our journey as human beings and friendship actually plays an important role,” she said. “I pray for peace. I pray for wisdom for the world leaders, but also wisdom on all levels in our societies, in our families.” Dietrich added that she also prays for God's strength to give people the courage to be prophetic. “We are part of this walking together, like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, always searching for understanding and realizing that we don't understand too much,” she said. “But we also know that we have to walk together, and we hope and pray that finally Christ will reveal himself for all of us.” Faith and Order delegates pictured in dialogue during a visit to Lund, Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Rev. Jackline Makena, vice moderator of the commission, said she valued the genuine and honest conversations about the work of Faith in Order. “We are now for visible unity,” she said. “What does it mean to be charged today? What does it mean to be human today?” She asked how theology can respond to the issues facing people today. “I think unity is a gift to the ecumenical movement. It is a gift to all of us. And unity doesn't mean uniformity,” she said.  “How have we also contributed to a lot that is happening in the world? How can we be accountable? How can we acknowledge? And how can we move forward together?” She urged people to acknowledge that their disagreements are not really points of separation, but the beginning of real and honest conversations. “And this is what helps us to mutually live together and discern, discern together, reflect together, and look for ways forward in which we can really maintain the unity and finally our visible unity in terms of visible justice, visible human dignity,” she said.  Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, vice moderator of the commission, reflected on the importance of meeting face-to-face. “I think that personal encounters are decisive for the continuation of the work,” he said. “Because when you meet people, you eat together, you drink coffee together, you walk together, you travel together, this helps the work of the commission on different themes to understand each other better and also to make significant progress in our work.” Faith and Order delegates gather for prayer during the 2026 meeting in Höör, Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Metropolitan Job acknowledged Lund as a historical city for the ecumenical movement, and  for the Church of Sweden. “We have experienced many things. We are focusing on very specific topics. But it's very important to see as a commission, as a whole commission, where we want to go and what are the dynamics,” he said. “Where shall we go? What are the topics on which we should concentrate?” He noted the work in developing, reflecting, and discerning on the importance of developing a baptismal ecclesiology. “What we intend by baptismal ecclesiology is not a theological reflection on our baptism, but how our common experience of baptism, because all Christians do baptize, how this experience, our common experience of baptism can enlighten us on our reflection on the church, and how can our common experience of baptism can help us to reconnect with the unity of the church,” he said. “Another field which is quite challenging and quite new is how to decolonize theology.” Metropolitan Job also emphasized that we are incorporated into the body of Christ. “We are baptized into the church of Christ. We are becoming a part of the people of God,” he said. “So if we can start reflecting on that, this is a very powerful starting point that, although we might have been baptized in different confessions or separated churches, but nevertheless we have a mystical or sacramental experience in common. Going deeper in our understanding of that reality, perhaps will help us to come closer to each other and to realize that in a way we are already united.” Vespers in Lund Cathedral: moments of commemoration—and contemplation Photo gallery: Ecumenical vespers – Lund Cathedral 2026 WCC, LWF launch ’The Lund Thread’ – on 100 years of ecumenism in Sweden The Lund Thread – digital exhibition Webinar explores “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC feature 30 October 2026) Ecumenism: When uncharted territory “is a good place to be” (WCC feature, 29 October 2026) Young Nordic theologians voice what visible unity means to them today (WCC feature, 27 October 2026) Swedish “Singstunde” invites spiritual encounter with and through music (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2026) WCC Faith and Order meeting opens with path toward deep dialogue (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Newly launched report reflects rich tapestry of Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Webinar will offer special glimpse into “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Photo gallery: Faith and Order Commission – Sweden 2026 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Vespers in Lund Cathedral: moments of commemoration—and contemplation

An ecumenical vespers service in Lund Cathedral on 31 October, Reformation Day, commemorated significant moments in the history of ecumenism—and drew a procession of people who are wrestling with the future of ecumenism as well. 31 October 2026, Lund, Sweden: Choir members sing as part of an ecumenical vespers held on Reformation Day in Lund Cathedral – marking the 10th anniversary of the historic joint Lutheran-Catholic commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that was held in the same place in 2016. The vespers is led by Roman Catholic Cardinal Anders Arborelius and Lutheran World Federation president Bishop Henrik Stubkjær, and with representation from a wide range of churches and partners locally, regionally and globally, including the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order at the conclusion of their meeting in Höör and Lund, 26-31 October 2026. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 01 November 2026 The vespers marked the 10th anniversary of a joint commemoration of the Reformation held in the very same cathedral in 2016. Procession moves through Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Roman Catholic Cardinal Anders Arborelius, from Sweden, and Lutheran World Federation president Bishop Henrik Stubkjær, from Denmark, proceeded into the cathedral with members of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church speaks during the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær delivers the sermon. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Archbishop emerita of Church of Sweden Antje Jackelén – who served as primate of the church during the joint commemoration in Lund in 2016 – reads a passage of scripture. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC The vespers took place at the conclusion of the commission’s weeklong meeting in Höör and Lund, Sweden, during which commissioners gathered to contemplate such questions as: What does visible unity require now? Which voices, wounds, and forms of knowledge must shape the next phase of ecumenical work? And what might churches do together that they have not yet imagined? Faith and Order Commission members and other gathered in attendance for the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Faith and Order Commission members and other gathered in attendance for the vespers. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Lund is the founding location of the Lutheran World Federation in 1947, venue of the Third World Conference on Faith and Order in 1952, and the place where Lutherans and Roman Catholics— alongside ecumenical guests from a wide variety of church traditions—jointly commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2016. Five “ecumenical imperatives” were signed at the Joint Commemoration in Lund in 2016.  Sweden holds more than a century of ecumenical history. It begins with Stockholm 1925 and moves through the founding of the Lutheran World Federation in Lund in 1947, the Third World Conference on Faith and Order in 1952, the WCC 4th Assembly in Uppsala in 1968, the Lutheran–Catholic commemoration of the Reformation in Lund and Malmö in 2016, and the ecumenical centenary celebrations in Stockholm and Uppsala in 2025. With the return of the Commission on Faith and Order in October 2026, the history now contains a new chapter.  Church leaders gathered on each side of the altar in Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Church leaders gathered on each side of the altar in Lund Cathedral. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Throughout the decades, Swedish churches have continued to receive, interpret, and reactivate ecumenical memories in changing circumstances. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church (left) and Bishop Johan Tyrberg of the Church of Sweden diocese of Lund (right) share in giving the benediction together. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC As those gathered prayed together, the question remained on hearts and minds: Where is ecumenism heading? Visible unity is not simply a matter inherited from earlier generations. It remains a task for the churches in the present. Procession moves through the church at the conclusion of the ecumenical vespers. Here from left to right: Bishop Johan Tyrberg of Lund, Church of Sweden: Cardinal Anders Arborelius of the Roman Catholic Church; LWF President Bishop Henrik Stubkjær of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark; Archbishop emerita Antje Jackelén of Church of Sweden, and former LWF President bishop emeritus Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Photo gallery: Ecumenical vespers – Lund Cathedral 2026 WCC, LWF launch ’The Lund Thread’ – on 100 years of ecumenism in Sweden Webinar explores “Visible Unity in a Changing North” Ecumenism: When uncharted territory “is a good place to be” (WCC feature, 29 October 2026) Young Nordic theologians voice what visible unity means to them today (WCC feature, 27 October 2026) Swedish “Singstunde” invites spiritual encounter with and through music (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2026) WCC Faith and Order meeting opens with path toward deep dialogue (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Newly launched report reflects rich tapestry of Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Webinar will offer special glimpse into “Visible Unity in a Changing North” (WCC news release, 26 October 2026) Photo gallery: Faith and Order Commission – Sweden 2026 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland