Look in any children’s bible and you will find the story of Daniel and the lions’ den. It’s a good, simple, straightforward story which is (mostly) suitable for children and the young at heart. However, this very simplicity makes it a difficult passage to preach on. What is the message it contains? How can we… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: No Turning Back Now (Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; then 31:31-34)
The condemnation contained in Jeremiah 36 is indeed heavy. And yet there is hope. Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Isaiah 6:1-8
Those of us preaching the Narrative Lectionary get to hang out with the prophets for a few weeks. We’ve already encountered Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, and the “how not to be a prophet” story of Jonah. This week we come to Isaiah, whose prophetic voice echoes in much of Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God.… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Why Is God Being So Nice to Our Enemies? (Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10, 4:1-11)
God loves even our enemies, darn it. In God’s care, they have an opportunity to move closer to God. God sends us to the places and the people we call unworthy, and God is insistent that we go there, even when we don’t want to. These are interesting truths for the Sunday after a bitter… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: the widow of Zarapheth and Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-24)
I live in Scotland, a country which is known for its rainfall, which means I have no idea what it means for there to be no rain for years. No rain over the weekend would be nice! However, a few weeks ago, I was given a wee taste of my own dependence on water flowing… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Questioning Motives and Legacies (2 Samuel 7: 1-17)
We start today with King David finally resting. David had been a fugitive on the run, fleeing from Saul’s jealous wrath. Now David’s fortunes have changed. These verses emphasize David’s new power and security not only by calling him “king” three times, but also by noting how he’s in a house of precious cedar. It… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Hannah’s Prayers (1 Sam 1:9-11; 19-20; 2:1-10)
Narrative Lectionary Companions, The first thing to note this week is that we are a long way from the golden calf! If you are using this Narrative Lectionary cycle to help people gain a better understanding of the full sweep of the biblical narrative, it might be worth mentioning that we’ve skipped over six books… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Nice Suitable Idols (Exodus 32:1-14)
Idols are so convenient. Manageable. Tidy. When it’s time to move, you just pack them up and move them along. Otherwise, they stay in one place. Not like God, who is elusively on the move. Or Moses, who disappears for long periods of time, supposedly to talk to God. Maybe he’s really on vacation, taking… 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
Narrative Lectionary: How to Handle Mansplainers (Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21; Luke 6:35)
Hi everyone! I’m glad to join the RevGalBlogPals community with my first post today. This week’s lectionary text is familiar, yet it’s bothering me in new ways. Firstly, where are the women? To place myself in a meaningful way in this story, I yet again have to engage it through male eyes. Or do I?… Read More
