This week’s Revised Common Lectionary Gospel reading should carry a trigger alert for feminine health concerns. And also – what a blessing that a health issue particular to people with uteruses is addressed in Scripture! Moreover, Jesus does not follow the traditional teaching of his religion claiming that the woman who asks for healing is… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: June 20
Am I the only one who dreads the splitting of the lectionary into track one and track two? The only anxious bulletin organizer and sermonizer who worries constantly that she has accidentally chosen the wrong track? I digress. This week we have several roads we can choose to travel, but all lead toward God with… Read More
RCL: Seeds
One of the most amazing experiences of my life was to sit in the Garden of Gethsemane with trees that were over 2,000 years old. It was mind boggling to think that some to these trees were the very same trees that Jesus sat by to pray and the disciples sat near to sleep. I… Read More
RCL: The Way of Kings or the Way of God?
Summer is officially here when the RCL gives us a choice between the thematic and the continuous readings from the Hebrew Bible. I don’t know about you, but I’m not quit prepared to make that choice this year. I feel like I am running a few steps behind, like I’m still in Lent, or maybe… Read More
RCL Sunday May 30, 2021. Spirit Gets Personal.
What has Spirit brought to birth in our spirits? Today three passages show us how Spirit works and what it feels like. In Isaiah 6, the prophet experiences an epic and still intimate rebirth of his spirit. Paralyzed by his sin before God, all the action unfolds around him. Special effects touch all the human… Read More
RCL: Come, Holy Spirit!
Pentecost! The culmination of the Christian season of Easter, originally a Jewish festival, which is why the Jewish followers of Jesus were gathered together for this religious observance. Still recovering from their grief at the crucifixion, joy at the resurrection, and confusion at Jesus’ brief stay with them prior to the Ascension. Pentecost! That day… Read More
RCL – Easter VII
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Psalm 1 This week we continue in the Acts readings with the election of a new apostle to replace Judas. Acts 1:15 and more provides an early context for the election of church leaders. The 120 or so gathered in the room decide on a criteria for… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Let it Rain
Late this afternoon a chilly rain pelted the windows of the house, backed up by a brisk wind. Usually I enjoy the rain, but today was the day to put all the special items of trash out on the curb, those too large for the regular pickup. These include items such as couches, mattress toppers,… Read More
RCL: Baptisms and Miracles
To modern day readers, this encounter with the Eunuch may be one of the wackiest texts we encounter. All the reasons that stick out to us as being weird or miraculous were fairly typical of ministry of the day. Philip is awoken by an angel and told to hit the road and travel on a… Read More
RCL: Sacrificial Love
Today we receive an incredible challenge: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another (1 John 3:16). Christ gave his life for us as a shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). How often have we ever truly been called upon… Read More
