In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
April 28, Easter 5B (John 15:1–8; 1 John 4:7–21)
In biblical Greek, the word we translate as “abide” is active rather than passive.
April 21, Easter 4B (Psalm 23; John 10:11–18)
A dead shepherd isn’t helpful to anyone, least of all to the sheep left behind.
April 14, Easter 3B (Luke 24:36b–48)
Why doesn’t Jesus just remind the disciples of a story or an inside joke they shared before he died?
April 7, Easter 2B (John 20:19–31)
Thomas’s experience with the risen Christ is a testament to the possibilities Easter creates.
March 31, Easter 1B (Mark 16:1–8)
Resurrection flies in the face of everything we know to be true.
March 29, Good Friday (John 18:1–19:42)
On the cross, the God-man who has repeatedly declared “I am” now begins to say that he is not.
March 28, Maundy Thursday (John 13:1–17, 31b–35)
How might the church’s history have been different if foot washing had caught on more widely?
March 24, Palm Sunday B (Mark 11:1–11)
Jesus moves in the same direction as other pilgrims but at a pace and purpose that is his own.
March 24, Passion B (Mark 14:1–15:47)
We fix our gaze on the cross because if we look away we will miss something vital.
March 17, Lent 5B (John 12:20–33)
“If you really want to live you’ve gotta die” is a puzzle that could leave you off kilter your whole life long.
March 10, Lent 4B (Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14–21)
When John 3 came up I used to preach on the dangers of fixating on one verse. Now I cringe at that memory.
March 3, Lent 3B (John 2:13–22)
Whatever Jesus is attacking, it isn’t the practices of the people coming to the temple to worship.
February 25, Lent 2B (Mark 8:31–38)
What a roller coaster for the disciples: They are following the Messiah! And doing so will cost them everything.
February 18, Lent 1B (Mark 1:9–15)
Does Jesus hide from the wild beasts? Hurl rocks at them? Mark doesn’t say.
February 14, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
How did my friend feel making a cross on my forehead, not knowing how long I’d be alive?
February 11, Transfiguration B (Mark 9:2–9)
What Peter, James, and John see on the mountain cannot be neatly packaged for resale.