The following is a reflection on Mark 3:20-35, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 5B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A couple of weeks ago, while sermonizing, I talked about The Way, the stunning movie about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It’s a story of journey, and grief, and loss—but it’s also a story of a group of complete and total misfits who come to hate each other…and […]
The following is a reflection on Isaiah 8:1-8, the Old Testament lesson properly appointed for Trinity Sunday, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The vision of Isaiah has always captivated me. It informs my vision of God’s Heavenly Kingdom perhaps more than anything else. It’s grand. Regal. Sweeping.
The following is a reflection on Acts 2:1-21, the lesson properly appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, and Genesis 11:1-9 the lesson appointed for the Day of Pentecost, year c. Pentecost is often interpreted as the undoing of Babel. At the tower of Babel, God confounded the speech of His People so that they could not communicate with each other. At Pentecost God gave the apostles the gift […]
The following is a reflection on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 7B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. With Judas’ demise, the disciples were down to eleven. Twelve is a good biblical number though. A number with significance. So, it seemed good and proper to get the disciples back to “twelve.” There was a position to fill.
On this day when we remember our mothers, let us offer our prayers to Jesus, the son of Mary. Because on this earth we are all sons and daughters of Eve, let us pray for the whole world and the church universal, that we might behold each other as brothers and sisters. Lord in your mercy. Hear our Prayer. As Rebecca gave birth to Jacob, and in so doing she gave birth to a whole […]
The following is a reflection on Acts 10:44-48, the second lesson properly appointed for Easter 6B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. …While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles… The two words above, which to me stick out as if they have […]
The following is a reflection on the 23rd Psalm, the Psalm properly appointed for Lent 4A Easter 4A,B,C, Proper 11B & Proper 23A, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Why this Psalm? Of all the ancient texts, and all the glorious pieces of scripture, what makes us as a people and as a culture gravitate towards this one? I’ve presided over funerals where the majority of those in attendance didn’t know the Lord’s Prayer, but they could stumble […]
The following is a reflection on 1 John 4:7-21, the epistle lesson for the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. I have very clear memories of holding each of my daughters, just moments after their births. Both times a nurse handed me those little swaddled bundles and then left the room to care for my wife, just recovering from the c-section. I remember experiencing a flood of emotion, […]
The following is a reflection on John 10-11-18, the Gospel lesson for the Easter 4B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. When talking about John 10, verses 11 through 18, it’s hard not to also talk about the first ten verses of the chapter—because for Jesus it’s one teaching with related metaphors. In 10:1-18, Jesus talks about a gate, a shepherd, a gatekeeper, a group of sheep, and a group of thieves and bandits. And […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 24:36b-48, the Gospel lesson for Easter 3B and the Thursday in Easter Week, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The Gospel authors (especially Luke and John) go to great lengths to show that there’s something different about the resurrected Christ. Something so different that Mary Magdalene doesn’t recognize Jesus, and in fact mistakes him for the gardener, on Easter morning. And then the disciples on the road to […]