Narrative Lectionary

Gathered at the Table of Grace

September 1, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, September 3, 2017
In approaching the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion from a stewardship perspective it is always helpful to remember that Jesus is Lord and host. We are simply servers and guests at the table. Whether the meal resembles fine dining or the family table is not so much the point. Instead, we might do well to ask whether we are setting a table that is welcoming and worthy of the Lord of Life. What is our motivation? Who is this feast for? What is its purpose? (Photo: Randy OHC, Creative Commons)

A Spectacular Splash of Stewardship

August 10, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year Three, August 13, 2017
Go ahead! Make a big splash this week as you recall your baptism and give thanks for the gift of water. We are stewards of this gift of Baptism insomuch as we embrace—however imperfectly and haltingly—the life of discipleship that is walked by faith. We don’t take our baptism lightly or for granted, and we remember it daily and desire this gift for others. (Photo: Paul Varuni, Creative Commons)

Living the Spirit Life

June 1, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard 2 Comments

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for Pentecost Sunday, Year Three, June 4, 2017
With the Narrative Lectionary this year we are given choice to focus on a snippet from Acts and a relevant passage from Galatians, or we can choose to highlight the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5. Whatever the choice, even with the Gospel passage, the focus in on the Holy Spirit and how that mysterious, unsettling, and powerful divine presence and force works in the lives of the faithful, goading and cajoling us to speak and live the language of love. (Photo: Waiting for the Word, Creative Commons)

Wide Welcome?

May 20, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year Three, May 21, 2017
Here we stand at the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther determined to call the church back to accountability in the gospel, to rid God’s people of extraneous and burdensome practices that he felt ran counter to the teachings of Jesus. Not surprisingly, things changed in both expected and unexpected ways. Also not surprising is the fact that some things haven’t changed after all these years. We still need to clean our lenses to see Jesus clearly and love our neighbors more dearly. (Photo: Jro, Creative Commons)

Stewards of the Church

May 13, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year Three, May 14, 2017
We Christians are not meant to act in a vacuum. We do better when we find ways to work together and hold one another mutually accountable for what it means to be Christ’s body here on earth (or at least our particular version of it) and how we are called to steward resources and share the Good News. Our governing bodies, confessions, creeds, and constitutions help keep us faithful to God’s word and work in the world—at least when we’re at our best. (Photo: Cary Bass-Deschenes, Creative Commons)

Found by Prodigal Love

March 16, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year Three, March 19, 2017
Losing and finding and remembering are important words for modern day steward-disciples to ponder, too. What have we lost that needs to be valued and found? What do we need to remember so that we do not experience loss and a path to destruction? What are we begrudgingly holding on to with a sense of entitlement at the expense of our brothers or sisters? (Photo:

The God of Second Chances

March 9, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year Three, March 12, 2017
I am thankful that God is a much better gardener than me and is willing to nurture underperforming plants through multiple chances. Even when we humans are ready to give up on one another, God still works to shore up the soil of our faith. What can we learn from the “Master Gardener”? How can we be better stewards and look for the best in one another? (Photo: Jonathan Rubio H., Creative Commons)

Focusing on What Matters

March 2, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Year 3, March 5, 2017
This Lent, maybe we can make a real effort to focus on that which really matters. What if we got real about loving our neighbors in a culture that is making so many of our neighbors feel unsafe, unwelcome, and unsure about their place in our cities and towns? What if we got real about putting aside all of the extra “stuff” of daily life and instead make time for Jesus and for our faith communities? (Photo: Jamelle Bouie, Creative Commons)

Don’t Be Terrified; Be Bold!

February 23, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Transfiguration Sunday, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 26, 2017
Yes, we may feel awkward. We may even be terrified. We may not have it “all together” or feel eloquent in our presentation, but that doesn’t matter. We can act boldly in the beautiful freedom of God’s love, trusting that this is enough and that God goes with us–always. That, dear friends, is news worth sharing and news worth remembering every time you proclaim the gospel or share your faith. (Photo: Clive Varley, Creative Commons)

Enter Here

December 21, 2016 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for December 28, 2014 (Year One)
One of the wonderful aspects of the Narrative Lectionary is that we are afforded the opportunity to enter into the Christmas story one more time. And we’ll hear it without any of the pressures and expectations that so often accompany the faithful and seekers alike on Christmas Eve. How will you make the most of this opportunity? (Photo: Waiting for the Word, Creative Commons License)