The following is a reflection on Luke 7:11-17, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 5C according to the Revised Common Lectionary. The bulk of this post is also from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved. Last week in the beginning of Luke chapter 7, Jesus heals the centurion’s slave. Without a word, a command, or formula. Not even a touch. He does it at a distance, without even being in the slave’s presence. This week, […]
The resurrection has consequences. It changes things. Everything. The very fabric of the universe, in fact. But, it doesn’t stop there. (!) It also changes the way we are supposed to relate to each other.
The following is a reflection on Revelation 7:9-17, the New Testament lesson appointed for Easter 5C, and All Saint’s Day, Year A according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. The Book of Leviticus tells of the major festival of Tabernacles. All Israel was to gather together, and construct temporary shelters, called tabernacles, to remind themselves of their ancestors dwelling in temporary shelters for the forty year wilderness journey. They were also to pray, waving palm, […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 9:28-36, the Gospel lesson for the Last Sunday in Epiphany, year C, according to the revised common lectionary. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh’s hand, and they were wandering […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 4:14-21, the Gospel lesson for the Epiphany 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. There is no shortage of commentary on this passage, oftentimes known as the “Nazareth Inaugural.” In some ways it’s become the manifesto of mainline Christianity. I remember my days in seminary hearing this passage almost monthly. Personally, I love the drama of the scene.
The following is a reflection on John 2:1-11, the Gospel lesson appointed for Epiphany 2C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. In the 25th chapter of Isaiah we find a beautiful vision of what happens when God’s victory is made manifest: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoplesa feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. A feast. Rich […]
The following is a reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany, and Matthew 2:1-12 in particular. My wife and I saw the new James Bond movie the other day. It was a wonderful little distraction before entering into the maelstrom of Christmas Eve. We’ve always loved the James Bond movies—in fact one of our first “dates” was watching a Bond marathon. The villain in the new movie, Skyfall, is quite a man to behold. He’s […]
The following is a reflection on Luke 3:7-18, the Gospel lesson for Advent 3C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. This reflection is a selection from my book Going to Hell, Getting Saved. There’s a fantastic scene in the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke where we’re introduced to the wild-eyed prophet John the Baptist.
The following is a reflection on Job 42:1-6, 10-17, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for Proper 25B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. I have to admit, while I’ve always had an attraction to the Book of Job, I’ve never cared much for the ending. I’ve tended to agree with scholars who say that it was tacked on to the book much later to make the book more palatable. I mean…he just gets everything back? […]
The following is a reflection on Job 38:1-7, 34-41, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for Proper 24B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary. If the opening chapters of Genesis tell us how the universe was created, the Voice of God booming from the Whirlwind in the end of The Book of Job tells us that and much more.