All posts filed under: Gospels

baptismal urgency – a reflection on Mark 1:9-15

February 7, 2012
by rick
Leave a comment
Eschatology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

I think Mark, and Jesus, also believed that the spiritual life and ministry itself should be shrouded in urgency. When life and death, light and darkness, hope and despair, love and hate are at stake, there is no time for laziness. There isn't time for ho...hum...what to do now? No time for commissions to endlessly propose another commission to begin a study, and report back in four years, so that another commission can consider the study and propose another one. No.

spiritual vertigo – a reflection on the transfiguration

February 6, 2012
by rick
comments 2
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The transfiguration is certainly a Christological event—it says something about Jesus. Jesus is at center of it all, and even the pillars of the Hebrew Bible are there to demonstrate that. But, it's also a scene which says a lot about the disciples, and thereby discipleship itself. They were taken up the mountaintop, and they had their socks knocked off. AND, they were totally and completely spiritually unprepared for such an experience.

moved and stretched – a reflection on Mark 1:40-45

January 30, 2012
by rick
comments 2
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:40-45, the Gospel lesson for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12th, 2012, according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also a unique version of the Prayers of the People for All Epiphany. I take the stories of healing/ exorcism/ and raising-of-the-dead at several levels. First, there’s obviously the point that the Gospel authors wanted to make, that Jesus healed real people […]

a dark and deserted place – a reflection on Mark 1:29-39

January 23, 2012
by rick
comments 2
Gospels / Lectionary / ministry resources / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:29-39 the Gospel lesson appointed for February 5, 2012, the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany – according to the Revised Common Lectionary. Also on this site is a version of the Prayers of the People for all Epiphany. Imagine walking into the office, and immediately getting hit with, “Everyone’s looking for you!—Where have you been?” What’s your first response? What’s the first thing you do? If you’re like […]

yeah. right. – a reflection on John 1:43-51

January 4, 2012
by rick
Leave a comment
Christology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 1:43-51, the Gospel Lesson appointed for January 15th, 2012, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also a version of the Prayers of the People for All Epiphany, and a reflection on the Hebrew Bible Lesson for the same day, 1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in […]

handling sin: a reflection on Mark 1:4-11

December 30, 2011
by rick
comments 3
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Pentateuch / Temple

The following is a reflection on Mark 1:4-11, the Gospel Lesson for January 8, 2011 – the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Also on this site is a Prayers of the People for All Epiphany. John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized […]

the feast of the Holy Name

December 26, 2011
by rick
comments 5
Christology / Exodus / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And he was called Jesus. It’s a peculiarity that Christianity as we know it came through the furnace of the Latin speaking Roman Empire that we call the Son of God “Jesus.” Unless the Angel Gabriel spoke in Latin to the Virgin Mother, he told […]

The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

December 12, 2011
by rick
comments 2
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Soteriology

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God created every form of life that swims in the deep, which flies in the sky, and which walks on the land. God created us, molding us out of the dust of the ground, and breathing God’s holy breath into us. And, God created us in God’s image—that we might bear the Holy Image in all the world. God spoke to individuals, and God blessed […]

gutsy faith, greater than the angels – a reflection on the Annunciation

December 5, 2011
by rick
comments 4
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament

  The following is a reflection on Luke 1:26-38, the Gospel Lesson appointed for December 18th, 2011, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also • a version of the Prayers of the People for Advent 4B. She was twelve. Maybe thirteen. That was the typical age of betrothal in her day. And, this little twelve-year-old was betrothed to a man. I remember […]

ain’t highfalutin – a reflection on John 1:6-8, 19-28

November 30, 2011
by rick
comments 3
Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Paul

The following is a reflection on John 1:6-8, 19-28, the Gospel Lesson appointed for December 11th, 2011, the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also • a reflection on the Hebrew Bible Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People for Advent 3B. There was a man sent from God… That phrase hasn’t sat well with […]