In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
September 15, Ordinary 24B (James 3:1–12)
As a preacher, I used to worry that people don’t listen to me. Now I worry that they do.
September 8, Ordinary 23B (Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23)
There is no reward in heaven for those who work to accumulate wealth rather than care for people.
September 1, Ordinary 22B (Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23)
Jesus warns that the real danger lies within our minds and hearts.
August 25, Ordinary 21B (Ephesians 6:10–20)
Gird yourself with the T-shirt of righteousness, the backpack of faith, the hoodie of salvation.
August 18, Ordinary 20B (John 6:51–58)
The Greek word sarx could well be translated as “hamburger” rather than “flesh.”
August 11, Ordinary 19B, (John 6:35, 41–51)
We need to wrestle with the meaning of Jesus’ flesh as bread, bread we are to consume.
August 4, Ordinary 18B (2 Samuel 11:26—12:13a; Psalm 51:1–12)
There is no one who does not need God’s mercy and no one who may not have it.
July 28, Ordinary 17B (2 Samuel 11:1–15)
It’s almost as if power and prestige somehow facilitate abusive patterns and protect perpetrators!
July 21, Ordinary 16B (Mark 6:30–34, 53–56)
An exhausted Jesus responds to the crowd with compassion. I think that’s a miracle.
July 14, Ordinary 15B (Mark 6:14–29)
Who knows what took place in Herod’s guilty heart after John’s death?
July 7, Ordinary 14B (Mark 6:1–13)
The disciples want to know who Jesus is. The people from his hometown do not.
June 30, Ordinary 13B (2 Samuel 1:1, 17–27)
Maybe the Song of the Bow is an Iron Age propaganda drop. Or maybe it’s just a song.
June 23, Ordinary 12B (1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4–11, 19–23), 32–49)
When David steps out to challenge Goliath, he shifts from the acted upon to the actor.
June 16, Ordinary 11B (2 Corinthians 5:6–10, (11–13), 14–17)
Paul has been wounded by the church, but he is driven to keep engaging.
June 9, Ordinary 10B (1 Samuel 8:4–20, [11:14–15])
Samuel is a good leader, until he isn’t.
June 2, Ordinary 9B (1 Samuel 3:1–10, 11–20)
Opening up space and time in our lives is one way to invite God to speak.