The following is a reflection on Exodus 14:19-31, the Hebrew Bible lesson assigned for September 11th, 2011 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also: • A reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day; • A version of the Prayers of the People based on the lessons of the day, and • A longer litany-style prayer written for the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This year we’ll […]
The following is a reflection on Exodus 12:1-14, the Hebrew Bible lesson properly appointed for September 4th, 2011 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. (Proper 18, Year A) On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People, based on the lessons of the day. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare that Moses was handed? He had to […]
The following is a reflection on Exodus 3:1-15, the Old Testament lesson for August 28, 2011, according to the Revised Common Lectionary (Proper 17). • Also check out a reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day . When Moses saw a bush that was burning, but not being consumed, his curiosity was piqued. He needed to know more. He needed to take a closer look. And so, he took the time to go […]
The following is a reflection on Genesis 1:8-2:10, the Old Testament lesson for August 21, 2011, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. On this site there is also a reflection on the Gospel lesson of the day. The opening of the Book of Exodus is a primer on two ways of living: reacting out of fear, and acting out of compassion. Throughout the conflict with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, it’s fear and hard-heartedness which drives […]
A reflection on Genesis 45:1-15, the Old Testament lesson for August 14, 2011 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day can be found here. “And now, do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life…God sent me here before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth…So it was not you who […]
A reflection on Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, the Old Testament lesson for Sunday August 7, 2010 according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day is available here. Isaac had two boys, and one conspired to lie and cheat his way into a blessing that, by birth right, belonged to the other. Jacob had twelve boys, and ten of them conspired to kill one of their brothers–and probably would […]
A reflection on Genesis 32:22-31, the Old Testament lesson for July 31st according to the Revised Common Lectionary. A reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day can be found here. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31 Jacob sent everything and everyone away. Across the Jabbok. They were gone. He was alone. But, he wasn’t. One of the basic precepts that I insist on, […]
A reflection on Genesis 29:15-28, the Old Testament lesson from the Revised Common Lectionary for July 24, 2011. I also have a reflection on the Gospel lesson of the same day. Like countless liars before him, and countless liars after him, Laban stood there and bold-faced-lied to Jacob. And, like countless victims throughout the ages, Jacob bore the full brunt of the deceit. Seven whole years of his life had been spent working to earn […]
Last summer my parish had an evening discussion group (wittily titled “Caffeinated Theology”) which looked at “The Kingdom Experiment,” by The House Studio. The concept was simple enough–each week you look at one of the beatitudes, and then choose an “experiment” through the rest of the week to explore living some aspect of the beatitude in question. I think the week was “blessed are the poor,” because for my experiment I chose sleeping on the […]
Genesis 25 moves quickly. If you lift your eyes from the page you just might miss a few decades. In less than fifteen verses Jacob and Esau go from zygotes to teenagers. And yet, not much changes in those verses, or in those years: Jacob and Esau are very different creatures in the womb and very different creatures outside of the womb. Like their forebears Cain and Abel, one is refined and the other is […]