RCL Reflection, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20, Year B, Sept. 23, 2018
Welcoming the vulnerable God in the face of our neighbors near and far is not a far-removed dream but an ever-present and pressing reality. Greatness is not found in the world’s definition of the word but rather in aligning ourselves with those for whom a welcome is not always found. We are to feed, love, and seek out those the world overlooks. (Photo: Alex Eflon, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Year B, September 16, 2018
Who do YOU say that Jesus is? We know that Peter called him the Messiah and then turned right around and tried to redirect his ministry. We also know what that got Peter–a stern redirection of his own. How is your life being redirected by your faith and allegiance to the Messiah? (Photo: Robert Douglas, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18, Year B, Sept. 9, 2018. Do you have the audacious, and persistent faith of the Gentile woman in this week’s gospel lesson? Have your ears been opened and your tongue set free like the man in Sidon? Is your faith limp and lifeless, or is yours a life of wide-open discipleship? This week’s lessons invite us to wrestle with these and other questions. (Photo: Brett Streuker, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Sept. 2, 2018
This week’s lessons provide many opportunities to talk about the gift of God’s law, the way we live as people of faith, the examples we set, and what our actions and works communicate. We must avoid becoming so focused on minutia that we fail to take in the entire picture, fail to love our neighbors, and derail a faithful witness. (Photo: John Taylor, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16, Year B, August 26, 2018
This week’s lessons remind us that the way of Jesus is not always an easy path, but it is the path that leads to abundant and everlasting life. Being part of the beloved community, the Body of Christ, equips us and strengthens us for the journey and enables us to contend with the forces of darkness and destruction. Clothed in God’s mercy, grace, and love, we are sent to proclaim a gospel of peace to all people. (Photo: annamarieangelo, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, August 19, 2018
What is this “wise bread” and wine with which Wisdom sets her table and invites us to partake? How can Jesus claim that we are to eat his body and drink his blood, as John’s gospel reports? Yes, this week in the bread cycle takes radical turn that requires thinking outside of comfortable and literal boxes. Ready to eat? (Photo: Claude Monet, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14, Year B, August 12, 2018
Ever had a time in your life when things didn’t go as expected? When you thought you’d done pretty well for yourself, but those around you don’t seem to agree? God has some good news for you in this week’s lessons. Get up and eat. We all need strength for the journey. (Photo: hungry dudes, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Proper 13, Aug. 5, 2018
For what do you really hunger? What would slake your soul’s incredible thirst and longing? Can you name it? Will you claim it? Can you at least acknowledge that gnawing hole at the center of your being that longs to be filled with God? (Photo: Lance Fisher, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12, Year B, July 29, 2018
Both the man from Baal-Shalishah and Jesus’ disciples had a difficult time wrapping their heads and hearts around the notion of divine provision and plenty. All they could see were meager gifts and scarcity, Have we learned from their stories? If not, it’s time we changed the narrative for this day and time by sharing stories and learning to look for abundance. (Photo: Jarkko Laine, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11, Year B July 22, 2018 Lessons: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34; 53-56 Theme: God’s faithful and generous people continue to be works in progress, becoming a fit dwelling for the Spirit of God. Key Scriptures: So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far […]
