All posts filed under: Lectionary

lifted high – a reflection on John 3:14-21

March 7, 2012
by rick
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Exodus / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Old Testament / Pentateuch / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 3:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The scene of the brazen serpent (in Numbers 21:4-9) immediately makes me recall the serpent in the Garden of Eden. That the Israelites were punished for their thanklessness with deadly biting serpents, and then forced to look upon the image of another serpent to find a cure, makes me think […]

where God dwells – a reflection on John 2:13-22

February 27, 2012
by rick
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Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Temple

The following is a reflection on John 2:13-22. the Gospel lesson for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. But he was speaking of the temple of his body. In my imagination, it went something like this: It was a stunningly beautiful morning. You know that kind of morning?  When the sun just seems to shine brighter, and the sky is so brilliant blue that it makes you stop […]

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

February 7, 2012
by rick
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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
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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
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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
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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 […]

where’s the beef? – a reflection on First Corinthians 8:1-13

January 17, 2012
by rick
comments 5
Current Affairs / Lectionary / Paul / Year B

The following is a reflection on First Corinthians 8:1-13 the Epistle lesson appointed for January 29, 2012, the fourth 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. I believe that understanding Paul’s argument about eating meat sacrificed to idols is critical for the Church today. Paul’s argument here can be broken down into two distinct parts, […]

did not yet know – a reflection on 1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)

January 4, 2012
by rick
comment 1
Historical Books / Lectionary / Old Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20), the Hebrew Bible 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 Gospel Lesson for the same day, John 1:43-51. The scene in First Samuel, where Samuel hears God’s call, but doesn’t readily know that it’s […]

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

January 4, 2012
by rick
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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 […]