RCL: Growing Advent

Here we are at John 1:19-28 at the forerunner, the John the Baptist, the missing figure from the Nativity scene. The one who is preparing the world for Christ. How is he preparing? He is baptizing people. John baptizes people so much, it become a part of his identity. John the Baptizer. Are we preparing… Read More

RCL: Advent 2 – Comfort and Peace

Here we are at the second Sunday of Advent, traditionally the Sunday of Peace. You may be using different themes for you Advent Sundays and still choosing the lectionary. These texts speak to the chaos and challenge of today as much as they ever did, particularly the Isaiah and Gospel texts. Isaiah begins with a… Read More

11th Hour Preacher Party: the second candle is still not pink

Somehow it is the second Sunday of Advent. In churches everywhere, laypeople will be staring at the wreath wondering which candle they are supposed to light….it’s still not pink yet. Keep waiting for another week and stick to the purple/blue, friends! Whether you are in the RCL pondering John the Baptist or the shoot from… Read More

Revised Common Lectionary Advent 2

The end is near. Continuing Matthew’s theme, John the Baptist carries a heavy load of pointing out that the kingdom of God is immanent. A source of comfort to Mary in her magnificat, it is a source of worry for those in powers. John the Baptist promises radical restructuring of the world. “Who warned you… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: Comfort, Comfort (Isaiah 40:1-11)

When I think about this peculiar preaching profession, I always consider my time in the pulpit as pastoral care. I know there are other models, other types of preaching, but pastoral care is my go-to. There’s hardly a better passage to think about pastoral care than this week’s Narrative Lectionary text, Isaiah 40:1-11. Check out… Read More

11th Hour Preacher Party: Advent Sunday of Peace

It’s the Sunday of Peace, except for my to-do list and calendar, which are not comporting themselves very peacefully. Yours? Regardless, onward we go to proclaim the good news. Revised Common Lectionary preachers can find a helpful post here, and Narrative Lectionary preachers, here. Maybe it’s cantata Sunday, or children’s pageant Sunday, or sermon-series-that-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time Sunday… Read More

Preacher Party: Wilderness of Judea Edition

Welcome to the second Sunday in the season of Advent! Today’s Gospel lesson brings us the story of John the Baptist, baptizing believers as they confessed their sins, shouting accusations at the Pharisees and Sadducees, and prophesying the coming of the Messiah. With whom do you relate most closely this week – John, Jesus, Pharisees… Read More

Revised Common Lectionary: An ADVENTure in Justice and Peace

Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Second Sunday in Advent, Year A from Venderbilt Divinity School. Peace. We could all use a little peace right now. There are battles all over the world, but the situation in Syria is especially dire. Many people live in oppression. People are protesting over lack of clean water, or… Read More