In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
October 1, Ordinary 26A (Philippians 2:1-13)
Paul’s words about humility should be handled with care.
September 24, Ordinary 25A (Matthew 20:1–16)
Jesus doesn’t seem interested in our warped ways of keeping the ledger of life.
September 17, Ordinary 24A (Exodus 15:1b–11, 20–21)
Miriam’s song of victory prepares hearts to trust God in an uncertain future.
September 10, Ordinary 23A (Matthew 18:15–20)
The only place in the Gospels where Jesus says anything about the church is Matthew 18—and not insignificantly, he brings it up in terms of conflict management.
September 3, Ordinary 22A (Exodus 3:1–15)
We see what we focus on—and what we focus on determines what we do not see.
August 27, Ordinary 21A (Matthew 16:13–20)
I find it comforting to realize that Jesus recognizes the incompleteness of Peter’s understanding.
August 20, Ordinary 20A (Genesis 45:1–15; Psalm 133)
The challenges to unity are great. The reward of unity is tremendous.
August 13, Ordinary 19A (Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28)
Is it possible to be completely and terribly wrong but not all bad?
August 6, Ordinary 18A (Matthew 14:13–21)
There are no ideal conditions for a miracle.
July 30, Ordinary 17A (Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52)
The kingdom of heaven inspires devotion, commitment, and downright unreasonableness.
July 23, Ordinary 16A (Romans 8:12–25)
Hope has not seen, and hope does not know.
July 16, 15A (Genesis 25:19–34)
I haven’t always embraced the particularity of God.
July 9, Ordinary 14A (Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30)
There is a difference between work-life balance and sabbath living.
July 2, Ordinary 13A (Psalm 13)
I hear the psalmist’s words on the lips of the unhoused. How long, O Lord?
June 25, Ordinary 12A (Romans 6:1b–11)
False security is a lovely, loathsome thing.
June 18, Ordinary 11A (Genesis 18:1–15)
The prankster is God, through whom all things are possible.