Living by the Word

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

Photo by Mary Harrsch

Sunday, November 25, 2012

2 Samuel 23:1–7, Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14; Revelation 1:4b–8; John 18:33–37

Nov 13, 2012 by Stephen Fowl

It is the Feast of Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church’s liturgical year. All of today’s passages reflect on kingships—those of David, God and Jesus. Although Christians in America are far removed from any direct experience of a king, these passages can teach us about our own political life.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Daniel 12:1–3; Mark 13:1–8

Nov 06, 2012 by Stephen Fowl

Do you know what the antidote for fear is?” the minister asked. The answer jumped into my head immediately. “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:17, NASB). But since it’s generally frowned upon for a member of the choir in an Episcopal cathedral to shout out answers to rhetorical questions from the pulpit, I kept quiet.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Mark 12:38–44

Oct 30, 2012 by Heidi Neumark

Some years ago I visited a Roman Catholic parish in one of the poorest areas of Mexico City. Mass was being held outdoors, and I arrived as people were setting up plastic chairs and wooden benches in a circle around the brightly dressed altar. The Virgin of Guadalupe smiled her approval from a mural on the side of the church as a few stray dogs settled down to nap in the warm dust.

All Saints Day

John 11:32–44

Oct 23, 2012 by Heidi Neumark

To understand what I am going to tell you, you need to know that my parents were scientists and that my mother’s mind had a decidedly unpoetic bent. Nonetheless, they read me poems from the time I was very young because they paid attention to what gladdened my spirit.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Job 42:1–6, 10–17; Hebrews 7:23–28

Oct 16, 2012 by Lee Canipe

It’s been almost 20 years, but I can still recall the uneasy flutter in my gut as the sun went down and my first night as on-call chaplain began. A chaplain who was on her way home, and familiar with the look of panic that identifies a rookie, patted me on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine,” she said.