Living by the Word

Reflections on the lectionary readings by pastors, preachers and biblical scholars

Photo by Mary Harrsch

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Romans 8:22–27

May 15, 2012 by Katherine Willis Pershey

By the time I was admitted to the maternity ward and lashed to a bed with an IV line, my labor had progressed. With each contraction I felt as though the pain would suffocate me. When the nurse suggested she should call the anesthesiologist, I reluctantly agreed.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Acts 1:15–17, 21–26; 1 John 5:9–13; John 17:6–19

May 08, 2012 by Katherine Willis Pershey

The texts for this week are challenging. The Gospel reading, an excerpt from Jesus’ high priestly prayer, is difficult to read aloud. It feels awkward to eavesdrop on Jesus’ intimate moments with God, and one can get lost in the anguish of a savior about to die.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

John 15:9–17

May 01, 2012 by Brian Bantum

As a teenager I occasionally had moments of spontaneous helpfulness. I’d wake up and say to myself, “Today I am going to clean the kitchen for Mom.” Deeply satisfied with my initiative, I would spend the day soaking in the satisfaction of being a wonderful son. Then I’d return home from school and my mother would greet me, ask how my day had gone and tell me she needed me to clean the kitchen.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Acts 8:26–40

Apr 24, 2012 by Brian Bantum

Our oldest son was baptized when he was six. For two years before that he’d been asking questions about who God was and praying prayers of his own making. So his mother and I set him upon the road of discipleship.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

1 John 3:16–24

Apr 17, 2012 by Michael Jinkins

The first thing that struck me about First Presbyterian Church in Dallas was not the imposing building where one of my longtime heroes, John Anderson, once served as senior pastor. No, the first thing that grabbed my attention that day was the church sign: "Justice is love distributed."