All posts filed under: Gospels

on doing and being – a reflection on James 5:13-20

September 20, 2012
by rick
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Epistles / Gospels / Lectionary / Year B

The following is a reflection on James 5:13-20, the epistle lesson appointed for Proper 21B, according to the revised common lectionary. I think it’s helpful to read the conclusion of the Epistle of James in its full context. James was writing to a community engaged in conflict over class discrimination. It was apparently a vicious and heated inter-church argument. In the beginning of the Epistle, James urges the people in the church to be quick to […]

the bloody truth – a reflection on John 6:56-69

August 13, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Exodus / Gospels / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Soteriology / Theology / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 6:56-69, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 16B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This post is from the tenth chapter of my book, “Going to Hell, Getting Saved.” Jesus told the people that his flesh was real food and that his blood was true drink—and to eat his flesh and drink his blood meant eternal life. And people stopped following him. The disciples grumbled about how hard […]

eat and live forever – a reflection on John 6:35, 41-51

July 17, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Creation / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Soteriology / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 6:35, 41-51, the Gospel lesson for Proper 14B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There was one brief, shining moment in the Hebrew Bible where things were pretty good. We had safety, and security, we had the Presence of God walking among us. We had a nice garden. And then we blew it. We had only been given one “thou shalt not,” and we couldn’t manage the “not” […]

hit me – a reflection on John 6:24-35

July 16, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 6:24-35, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 13B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. So…I think to fully understand the “I am the bread of life” text, we need to go back a few chapters in John. In chapter four, Jesus is talking to the woman at the well. Jesus offers her water, she marvels at his lack of a bucket with which to draw water, and he […]

jumping to Jesus – a reflection on John 6:1-21

July 16, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament

The following is a reflection on John 6:1-21, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 12B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This Gospel lesson is full of bright-and-shiny things that are impressive, and which can command attention. Jesus feeds a lot of people with only a little bit of food. A few morsels of food end up becoming baskets and baskets of leftover pieces. Jesus walks on water. Cool stuff, right? Because these things are […]

Jesus’ man-cave – a reflection on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 10, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / stewardship / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, the Gospel lesson properly appointed for Proper 11 year B. After an insanely busy and draining period of teaching, and exorcising, and healing—after Jesus and his disciples had given of themselves over and over again, day after day—Jesus tells his disciples, “come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” There are four different parts to this statement which mean something on […]

silver platters – a reflection on Mark 16:14-29

July 3, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:14-29, the Gospel lesson appointed for proper 10B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On its face, this is a strange lesson. Jesus is mentioned, but never says a word. People are coming up with all kinds of theories for how Jesus is able to do the things he does, and Herod kills John for the oddest of reasons. The question that rises to the top for me […]

covered in dust – a reflection on Mark 6:1-13

June 28, 2012
by rick
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Current Affairs / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Religion / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 6:1-13, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 9, year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Christianity in the west is in deep trouble. In America over 1/4th of adults have left the religion of their youth, most for no religion at all. In Europe, many grand cathedrals and basilicas are more like mausoleums than thriving centers of worship. People are leaving the faith. But, unlike some, I […]

get up – a reflection on Mark 5:21-43

June 20, 2012
by rick
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Easter / Gospels / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Proper 8B / Soteriology / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 5:21-43, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 8B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Last year I wrote a book, going to hell, getting saved, and what Jesus actually says, and this post is an excerpt from pages 164-169. In Mark 5:22-43, there are two different stories of healing woven together into a single story. While Jesus is on his way to heal and restore life to Jairus’ […]