Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
Jesus moves in the same direction as other pilgrims but at a pace and purpose that is his own.
We fix our gaze on the cross because if we look away we will miss something vital.
“If you really want to live you’ve gotta die” is a puzzle that could leave you off kilter your whole life long.
When John 3 came up I used to preach on the dangers of fixating on one verse. Now I cringe at that memory.
Whatever Jesus is attacking, it isn’t the practices of the people coming to the temple to worship.
What a roller coaster for the disciples: They are following the Messiah! And doing so will cost them everything.
Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.
How did my friend feel making a cross on my forehead, not knowing how long I’d be alive?
What Peter, James, and John see on the mountain cannot be neatly packaged for resale.
Paul knew something about being an obnoxious weirdo.
All those years in scribe school count for nothing when one rustic with charisma comes along!
The gospels don’t depict John as much of an organization builder.
Jesus’ word of insight to Nathanael seems a lot like a carnival grift.
As if he were working on an assembly line, John dips and raises, dips and raises.
In welcoming the Magi into her home, Mary opens the door to the whole world.
Simeon and Anna echo the worship material of ancient Israel.
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