Source of Life,Creative Force,Bearer of BurdensWho longs to gather us under your strong, feathery wings:We are tired of being the parent, the pastor,The figure-outer, the fixer.We grow weary of the weight we carry.We are exhausted from being the one in charge.Except, of course, we’re not in charge,Because if we were, things would not be such… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: So Many Tangents, So Little Time (1 Kings 5, 8)
This week’s readings are 1 Kings 5:1-5 and 1 Kings 8:1-13. We’ve skipped over the entire reign of David (which, honestly, is fine by me) and are now reading about the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Of course, it is not really Solomon’s Temple, it is God’s Temple. Though reading through the full narrative here, from… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Listening to God (1 Samuel 3)
Well, Narrative Lectionary preaching friends, so much for Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth; we’re jumping right into 1 Samuel! This Sunday is our one chance to talk about the period of the judges before we find ourselves in the monarchy next week. It’s likely that many people in your congregation will be familiar… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: The Story We Can’t Avoid Forever (Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14)
I was so excited to start a new cycle of the Narrative Lectionary last week! I love that the NL focuses in on one passage (compared to the RCL’s four), so there’s no hemming and hawing and spending half of my week just trying to decide which scripture to preach. Or rather, I loved that… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: “One in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29)
Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29 Those of us using the Narrative Lectionary get to preach from Galatians yet again this week! With the Revised Common Lectionary, you can always choose the Gospel reading, or the Hebrew Scripture, or even the Psalm when passages like this show up. But with our beloved NL, there’s nowhere else to turn.… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Money, Money, Money (Luke 16:19-31)
This morning my husband and I were talking about Donald Trump’s 28,000 square foot house in upstate New York. The house he hasn’t been to for four years or so. With an indoor swimming pool and bowling alley and tennis court. Here where I live, our emergency winter shelter just closed down for the season.… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: “Speaking of His Departure” (Luke 9:28-45)
While the story of the Transfiguration is in all three Synoptic Gospels, it is only Luke who tells us what Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about: They “were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (v. 31). Moses and Elijah have done hard things—impossible things—for God, and now they… Read More
Wits’ End: Coping in a time of Crisis
Dear Clergy Colleagues, It’s rough out there! Between a worldwide pandemic, the attempted overthrow of democracy in the United States, and the projected beer and Spam shortages, 2021 isn’t looking much better than 2020. In the current reality, our jobs are incredibly difficult—emotionally, spiritually, and practically. So here are some helpful things to keep in… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: When the Bible Gets You in Trouble (Luke 4:14-30)
Reflection Many of the people who raided the United States capitol building last Wednesday were wearing “Jesus” t-shirts and waving Christian flags. And it is pretty obvious those people have listened to a lot of unfaithful preaching and read very little of the actual Bible. We’re in the season of Epiphany now which is when… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Luke 1:26-56
As the Narrative Lectionary moves into the Gospel of Luke, most of the people in the (virtual) pews will find themselves in more familiar territory. Mary, Gabriel, Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Ahhhh. There is, I think, a temptation to relish the familiarity; to let out a deep sigh of relief: “Thank goodness we’re… Read More