In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by preachers, writers, and biblical scholars
May 4, Easter 3C (John 21:1-19)
John tells us the mother of all fish stories.
April 27, Easter 2C (John 20:19-31)
Why wasn’t Thomas with the others? Why did he eventually return?
April 20, Easter 1C (Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 24:1-12)
As the women prepared the oil and spices, I think they must have told stories.
April 18, Good Friday (John 18:1-19:42)
Good Friday is an annual reminder to ask who is crucified in our midst to distract from the crimes of those in power.
April 17, Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
We need to find a way to wash each other’s feet, even when waging war feels better.
April 13, Passion C (Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Luke 23:1-49)
What do we do with our powerlessness?
April 13, Palm Sunday C (Luke 19:28-40)
When we cannot praise, the rest of creation carries the song.
April 6, Lent 5C (John 12:1-8)
What is it like to be at the table with the resurrected?
March 30, Lent 4c (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)
There is no resolution to the prodigal son story, only the resonance of the father’s words.
March 23, Lent 3C (Luke 13:1-9)
Who can resist the gardener’s advice to dig around deeply and replenish the soil?
March 16, Lent 2C (Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35)
We live with a clear-eyed hope that refuses to squint in the face of suffering.
March 9, Lent 1 (Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16; Romans 10:8b–13; Luke 4:1–13)
God chooses to draw near—and to draw us out of ourselves.
March 5, Ash Wednesday C (Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
Isaiah and Matthew invite us into deeper solidarity. None is well until all are well.
March 2, Transfiguration (Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a))
Peter, James, and John are all of us.
February 23, Epiphany 7C (Genesis 45:3–11, 15)
Joseph’s brothers witness love in action, in both his personal forgiveness and his prudent national planning.
February 16, Epiphany 6C (Luke 6:17–26)
I want to be surprised by God, even if that surprise might scare the bejesus out of me.