RCL Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15, Year A. August 23, 2020
Jesus’ question, “But who do you say that I am” is perhaps the most important one we can answer as people of faith. You can help your worshiping community to ponder and answer this question, and in the process help them grow in faith and discipleship. (Photo: mi.a, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15, Year A. August 16, 2020.
Even God’s people seem to be better at building fences to keep people out than building bigger dinner tables to welcome more people. This week’s lessons focus on God’s radical provision and desire for us to work to include others in the banquet. (Photo: Rachel Tayse, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Year A, August 9, 2020
Learning to be a disciple of Jesus is like learning to swim. It doesn’t come naturallyLike Peter, we must “swim” as Christians, entering fully into the chaos and beauty and brokenness of our world. We must keep our eyes upon the Christ and trust the wisdom and accompaniment of the Holy Spirit. (Photo: Jon Connell, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, August 2, 2020
People are waking up from what amounts to a capitalistic dream gone mad. Will we have the vision, the dreams, and the willingness to do what it takes to turn a few loaves and fishes into the kindom of God? (Photo: PublicDomain.com)
RCL Reflection, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, July 19, 2020
In light of current events and protests, this year may be the perfect time to rethink Jesus’ parable of the weeds and recover it from a simplistic /dualistic understanding that allows us to easily locate ourselves among the finest wheat while assigning anyone we consider less than, evil, or different to the role of the dreaded weed. (Photo: MissMessie, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, Year A. July 12, 2020. The reasons people stay away from church today are many. Just ask any “none” or “done.” But Paul gives us hope for both the church and God’s people. We need to ask God to change our mindsets to redirect our church in its mission. (Photo: Eli Christman, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, July 5, 2020
This is an exciting and somewhat terrifying time to be the church. We face a tsunami of change in our faith communities, culture, economy, everything. Sure, that’s scary, but Jesus calls us back to center. I can almost hear him saying, “Stop fussing and fretting and breath. I am with you, and all shall be well.” (Photo:
RCL Reflection, 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8, Year A,
June 28, 2020
What does it mean to be church in a time of global pandemic? How do we move forward when folks can’t even agree whether COVID-19 is real or merely an elaborate hoax? Faith leaders seek advice and answers to guide congregations through uncharted waters to reopen safely and hospitably. (Photo: renee_mcgurk, Creative Commons. Thanks!)
RCL Reflection for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, June 21, 2020
Are you ready to do some serious letting go? Jesus is clear in this week’s gospel lesson that “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Letting go is a hard, beautiful, and countercultural thing. (Photo: Sebastian Appelt, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, June 14, 2020
God’s faithful and generous people know that change doesn’t usually come overnight and that a full investment in the long-term success of anything worthwhile is necessary and expected. This week’s lessons offer an opportunity to both honor the fatigue and weariness—especially that of our Black and brown siblings—and to hear words of hope and encouragement from Paul and Jesus. (Photo: Elvert Barnes, Creative Commons)
