Revised Common Lectionary – Nov. 14

As I reviewed the readings for this week one theme rang out, accompanied by a visceral image of robed people crossing a field at dusk toward a church that glows. A wondering of mine is how to find the right words to convince people to be true disciples of Jesus, to undertake a painful and… Read More

RCL: Hand to the Plough

I don’t want a double portion of anyone’s spirit. Nor do I want to take up a mantle left behind by a prophet. On the other hand, I don’t want to be looking back after I’ve put my hand to the plough. This business of being a disciple has never been easy. At no point… Read More

RCL: Eager Disciples Edition

“Are you able to be like me and do what I do?” “Yes, we are!” I get the impression that James and John are imagining that they will receive Jesus’ miraculous power to heal, or will see the Holy Spirit as he did at his baptism. They seem excited to be like him, and eager… Read More

RCL: Turning Sorrow into Gladness

I don’t know about you, but it has been increasingly difficult to remain positive and hopeful amidst the political chaos that seems to have free reign over the U.S. (and other parts of the world for sure). People come and ask what it means to be Christian in the face of such chaos. The response… Read More

Revised Common Lectionary: Fishy Edition

Oh, Jonah. That poor prophet who achieved exactly the result he was called upon to do, and felt betrayed to the point of wanting to die because of it. Though, of course, we don’t get the whole story in today’s pericope. Today we just hear God’s call to Jonah (the second time, after all that… Read More

Narrative Lectionary: The “He Talks Enough to Be Hermes” Edition (Acts 13; 14)

The Narrative Lectionary commentary is here. From that page, you can also find the podcast (right-hand column) and the text references. This week’s passages can feel a little disjointed and, thus, slippery. Where is the gill of the text- the place where it breathes and where you can grab hold of it? (If I was… Read More