RCL reflection, First Sunday in Advent, Year C. December 1, 2024. This week’s disquieting reading from Luke offers the opportunity to remind God’s people that Advent is about the present and future, not just the past. The Rev. Elisabeth Hartwell explores. (Photo: Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Proper 9, Year A, July 9, 2023: In Jesus we have not only a life saver but also a life Savior, and this makes all the difference. Life Saver candies rescued Clarence Crane’s business. The salvation Jesus gives us is oh so sweeter! (Photo: Amanda Munoz, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Christ the King Sunday, Year C: November 20, 2022
Christ is the King of Kings, the ruler who turns all of our human notions and illusions of power squarely on their heads. In what by worldly definitions appears to be weakness and failure, Jesus shows that real power is rooted in love, bathed in grace, and covered with mercy. (Photo: Sue Hasker, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, All Saints Sunday, Year C, November 6, 2022
Take this week’s hard Gospel lesson, with its beautiful blessings and condemning woes, and remind the faithful that they are indeed in the company of all the saints and are the stronger for it. (Photo: Unity, yevkusa, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Reformation Sunday/Proper 26, Year C
October 30, 2020
Reformation throughout church history is a mashup of people, places, and ideas. Why not use today to celebrate reformation–not just as history but as ongoing, necessary, and good? Check out these ideas for the lessons. (Photo: Rene Clausen Nielsen, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Proper 24, Year C
October 16, 2022
According to Jesus it’s OK to pester the powers that oppose the reign of God and justice for all. We can do this knowing that it is God’s nature to give, love, and care for us. Go ahead and pester, pester, pester for the sake of the gospel. (Photo: Caelie Frampton, Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary reflection, Proper 23, Year C
October 9, 2022
One of the greatest gifts we can give to each other in Christian community is that of helping one another cultivate a spirit of gratitude. If we do this, the glad hearts and generous spirits will follow. Saying “Thank you, Jesus” is enough, but it’s only the beginning.
Revised Common Lectionary reflection, Proper 22, Year C
October 2, 2022
More is not always necessary, or even better. Take hot sauce for example. A little goes a long way. Sane goes for faith. God always gives us enough to do anything. We need only trust and be good stewards of the gift. (Photo: Creative Commons)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection, Proper 20, Year C
September 18, 2022
The parable of the dishonest manager provides a good context for discussing faith, commitment, and, well … money. How are you teaching folks about the right and faithful use of financial resources within your community of faith? (Photo: Liz West, Creative Commons, Thanks!)
RCL Reflection, Proper 18, Year C
September 4, 2022
Surely Jesus is kidding, right? What’s all this talk about hating family, carrying crosses, and giving up possessions? Discipleship can’t be that hard, can it? Maybe it’s time we stopped skirting the issue and started living with the questions. (Photo: Tsahi Levent-Levi, Creative Commons)
