Is “Othering” our greatest sin? I am writing from rural Minnesota, and here in the U.S. there are quite a few “political” debates worth weighing in on, if you are a pastor. As usual, right? The U.S. is at odds with itself. On one channel, there are the ironic fights that pair Juneteenth support with… Read More
Narrative Lectionary – May 23, 2021 – Pentecost
Sermon Reflections for: Acts 2: 1-4 and Galatians 4: 1-7 Pentecost is always one of my favorite Sundays, and this year’s NL is rich in fodder for good sermon writing. There are lots of directions to go with these dense texts. Here are just a few options: Option 1: In context of “the Law” To… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: No Reason Not to!!!
Sermon ideas for Sunday April 25, 2021: Acts 8: 26 – 39 Philip baptizing the Eunuch from Ethiopia is a short part of Acts that is packed full of preach-able moments. What I love most about this story is that moment in verse 37 when the eunuch says “What is to prevent me from… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Which Prophets Are We Stoning?
Sermon Prep for Acts 6:1 – 7:2a, 44-60 (Sunday April 18, 2021) In our scripture for the week, we hear the story of the calling of Stephen, and in the process, are faced with the reality that we have been stoning our leaders since the very beginning of the early Church. What is it about… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: Zacchaeus and the Blind Man
A reflection on Luke 18:31 – 19:10 for March 21, 2021, 5th Sunday of Lent In this triplet of scripture stories, we get the disciples misunderstanding Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy (what’s new, right?) followed by a juxtaposition of two stories about two men on opposite ends of the societal spectrum, both seeking out Jesus for… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: Mary, the Samaritan, and the Better Path
Reflections for Sermon writing on Luke 10: 25-42 (1st Sunday in Lent) As the pandemic continues to radically change our worldview – simultaneously giving us a global perspective while locking us into a local bubble – it is time again to think of that always important question: who is my neighbor? I love that the… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: Ash Wednesday 2021
Reflections on Luke 9: 51-62 The narrative lectionary for Ash Wednesday 2021 provides two Biblical stories that frame rejection in a paradox: the first story tells us of the town that rejects Jesus, and it is followed by the scripture where Jesus seems to reject his would-be followers. In verse 53 where it says “but… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: Luke 5: 1-11
Abundance, and permission to leave everything behind. (A reflection on Luke 5: 1-11 for January 24, 2021) As I read these this short but dense scripture of the calling of the disciples, I am struck immediately by two very basic themes to draw on: the first being the idea that GRACE COMES FIRST. And the… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: A Crisis With Unique Perspective
Reflections on Joel 2: 12-13, 28-29 and Luke 11: 13 (for December 6, 2020) Sculpture of Joel, Biblical Gardens of the Moshav Yad HaShmona, in the Judean Hills, near Jerusalem. December 2020… as we start the last month of a year defined by crisis the narrative lectionary takes us straight to Joel, an irony not… Read More
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY: Looking for a Way Out?
Reflections on Exodus 12:1-13, 13:1-8 & Luke 22: 14 -20 (for October 4, 2020) Two words tie our texts for this week together: covenant and exodus.In the Older Testament, God is promising a covenant of protection to the people of Israel, on the eve of their exodus out of slavery and into the wilderness journey.… Read More
