sin at yuletide – a reflection on Advent 2C

November 28, 2012
by rick
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Advent / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Soteriology / Year C

The following is a reflection on Luke 1: 68-79 and Luke 3:1-6, the canticle and the Gospel lesson properly appointed for Advent 2C according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Morning Star's Reprise

“Morning Star’s Reprise” Acrylic and resin on canvas. Painting by Rick Morley.

Most people don’t ever want to talk about “sins.” At least not their own. (Other people’s sins are always fair game for in-depth discussion, but that’s another story entirely.)

The only things that might be able to drive the repulsion of “sin talk” even further out-of-bounds are probably…Christmas trees, mall Santas, and fields of ever-rolling poinsettias. Read More

on guard – a reflection on Advent 1C

November 21, 2012
by rick
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Advent / Christology / Eschatology / Lectionary / New Testament / Theology / Year C

The following is a reflection on the First Sunday of Advent, Year C.

Mary and Jesus

Throne of Wisdom, from the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Rick Morley.

The Day of the Lord. The end. The Second Coming. The Parousia.

In our day such things are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hollywood and people so far off their rockers that they are the very definition of “laughingstock.” Read More

power without power – a reflection on Christ the King Sunday, Year B

November 14, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Current Affairs / Eschatology / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Theology / Year B

A reflection on Christ the King Sunday, especially for year B of the Revised Common Lectionary.

convent

A wayside shrine at the Convent of St. John Baptist in Mendham. Photo by Rick Morley.

Pope Pius XI inaugurated Christ the King Sunday in 1925, when the authority of the church was evidently waning in the world. Of course nearly ninety years later, the “authority” of the church—or even just the “place” of the church—in the world is almost laughable. We are all but irrelevant in the power structures of the community of nations.

Whatever the original intent and motive of Christ the King Sunday, one can easily see “Christendom” making one last effort—only last death-throw gasp—to stem the tide, and regain a position of power and influence in the world.

But, it does do one well to consider the kind of kingship that Jesus represents. Read More

pouring out our souls – a reflection on 1 Samuel 1:4-20 & 2:1-10

November 8, 2012
by rick
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Historical Books / Lectionary / Old Testament / Psalm / Temple / Year B

The following is a reflection on 1 Samuel 1:4-20 & 2:1-10, the Old Testament and Psalm Lessons for Proper 28B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Twice in the Bible people who are praying are mistaken for being drunk. Hannah on the threshold of the Temple of Shiloh is praying for a son and is castigated by Eli. “Put away your wine,” he says. On the day of Pentecost the apostles are filled with the power of the holy spirit, and they begin to speak in many languages. Those around them marvel that at 9 o’clock in the morning they are already sloshed.

But, no, they are praying. Read More

two choices, one way – a reflection on Mark 12:38-44

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

The following is a reflection on Mark 12:38-44, the gospel lesson appointed for Proper 27B according to the Revised Standard Lectionary.

Sandy

This is the scene, just a short walk from my house, post-Sandy. Please keep all those most effected in the aftermath of Sandy in your prayers.

The contrast between the self-serving lawyers and the widow in Mark 12 couldn’t be any greater, and Mark’s weaving of these two stories together is, I think, where most of the meaning lies. Read More

who stinketh? – a reflection on John 11:32-44

October 23, 2012
by rick
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Christology / Easter / Gospels / Lectionary / New Testament / Year B

The following is a reflection on John 11:32-44, the Gospel Lesson for All Saints B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

There is also a Litany for All Saints Day on this site here.

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The Abbey Ruins on the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne. Photo by Rick Morley.

While I don’t use the King James Version of the Bible often, I do happen to love its rendering of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus, after weeping and being emotionally moved, commands those around him to open Lazarus’ tomb.

There’s instant protest. Lazarus had been dead for a few days, and everyone knew that rolling that stone away wouldn’t be pretty.

Martha calls out: But Lord, he stinketh!

I love that. Read More

full of days – a reflection on Job 42:1-6, 10-17

October 18, 2012
by rick
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Job / Lectionary / Old Testament / Religion / Wisdom Literature / Year B

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.

Mississippi Gulf House Post-Katrina

Mississippi Gulf House Post-Katrina. Photo by Rick Morley.

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? And, that’s supposed to make it all better?

Are the seven kids that he gets after the ordeal the same kids? Or, are they…uh…different kids?

Because that would make everything better, right? Like getting a new puppy after the beloved family dog died.

But, I’ve become increasingly convinced that the narrative continuity of Job is secondary to underlying message.

Read More

from the whirlwind – a reflection on Job 38:1-7, 34-41

October 10, 2012
by rick
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Job / Lectionary / Old Testament / Religion / Wisdom Literature / Year B

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.

20121010-215332.jpg

A home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, after Katrina. Photo by Rick Morley.

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. Read More

questions with no answers – a reflection on Job 23:1-9, 16-17

October 3, 2012
by rick
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Job / Lectionary / Old Testament / Religion / Wisdom Literature / Year B

The following is a reflection on Job 23:1-9, 16-17, the Hebrew Bible lesson appointed for Proper 23B, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Mississippi House

A home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, post-Katrina. Photo by Rick Morley.

By the time we get to the twenty-third chapter of Job, a lot of water has gone under the bridge. The broken, but altogether devout, man we left in the early narrative section has met his prosperity-gospel friends.

They’ve tried to convince him that God is just, and therefore his own egregious sins are the cause of his calamitous misfortunes.

There can be no other explanation: God is a just God.

But, the more they’ve pressed that point, the more Job comes to his own conclusion: Since he knows that he’s innocent, it is clear that God has mistreated him.

For Job, there can be no other explanation: he has done nothing wrong.

Read More