Living by the Word

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

Photo by Mary Harrsch

Anticipation

Sunday, December 3

Jeremiah 33:14-16;1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Psalm 25:1-9; Luke 21:25-36

Nov 22, 2000 by John C. Morris

In his book Abel’s Island William Steig tells the story of a mouse (Abel) who is marooned on an island for an entire year. In the first part of the book, Abel is all alone on the island. Unlike the participants in the Survivor TV series, he has no one around to help him survive—or to vote him off the island and thereby return him to his home.

Smoothing the path

Sunday, December 10

Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

Nov 22, 2000 by John C. Morris

I cherish the vision of what could have been a great moment in American poetry. One day my American literature professor told our class about Emily Dickinson, the quiet and reclusive woman who was satisfied to live in a circumscribed world in Amherst, Massachusetts.

In praise of the first coming

Sunday, November 19

Mark 13:1-8

Nov 15, 2000 by Robin Meyers

Whenever the text turns apocalyptic, as it does this week, there would seem to be only two choices: either take it literally and join the lucrative doomsday machine of late-night, splendidly coifed Christian psychics, or begin your best apologetic backpedaling—cheered on by Bishop John Spong.

Checkmate

Sunday, November 26, 2000
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1:4b-8; Psalm 93; John 18:33-37

Nov 08, 2000 by John C. Morris

Go to Harvard Square in Cambridge or Washington Square in New York City or any public place where chess players have gathered to watch or challenge each other.

Virtual virtuosity

Sunday, November 12

Mark 12:38-44

Nov 01, 2000 by Robin Meyers

My favorite Kierkegaardian parable is called “The Man Who Walked Backwards.” The Danish philosopher was particularly hard on religious professionals, and claimed that inconsistent behaviors most often accompany exorbitant professions of good intentions: