Living by the Word

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

Photo by Mary Harrsch

Glorious promises

Sunday, January 14

Isaiah 62:1-5; John 2:1-11

Dec 20, 2000 by Frederick Niedner

At every wedding we wait for the moment when we witness a bride and groom vow faithfulness to each other “‘til death us do part.” We think when we hear those words, or even more when we speak them ourselves, that death will come to visit much later, at some far distant boundary of a marital union begun today with such promise.

Somebody's calling my name

Sunday, January 7

Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-22

Dec 20, 2000 by Peter Storey

Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Memorial, was explaining to a TV interviewer why her remarkable work has come to have such a strong grip upon the emotions of the American people. “It’s the names,” she said, “the names are the memorial.

Stirrings of divinity

Sunday, December 31

Luke 2:41-52

Dec 13, 2000 by Peter Storey

This has to be the censored version! What parents would leave a crowded city—one that was not their home—and journey a whole day without noting that their child was missing? Today they would be charged with child neglect.

Let the imbongis sing!

Sunday, December 24

Psalm 96; Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

Dec 13, 2000 by Peter Storey

Back in 1994 TV viewers all over the world watched transfixed, as South Africa’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office. While a dignified Nelson Mandela addressed the heads of state, many viewers wondered about the man dressed in leopard skins, standing directly behind him with a little flag stuck quaintly in his headgear.

Refiner's fire

Sunday, December 17

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

Dec 06, 2000 by John C. Morris

What is the most popular Christmas song? One way to determine that is to consult the Muzak Holiday Channel and find the song that has the most versions available. If that’s a fair way to deal with this question, then the answer would be “The Christmas Song,” most often sung by either Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby.