Lent | First Sunday in Lent (Year B)
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
art selection and commentary by Heidi J. Hornik and Mikeal C. Parsons
January 28, 2016
Lent began as a time of preparation for the covenant of baptism. The Year B Lenten readings very much ring out this theme of covenant, starting this Sunday with the covenant with Noah and its interpretation in 1 Peter as the covenant of baptism. The coming weeks feature the covenants with Abraham and with Moses and finally the covenant written upon our hearts in Jeremiah 31. Developing the theme of covenant might be an edifying way to let these Lenten scripture readings prepare congregations for Holy Week—especially the high drama of the Easter Vigil, centered on the waters of baptism.
February 15, 2015
There’s a reason that flood stories are so universal: we fear wiping ourselves out through our own violence. We need to learn to read the flood story through the eyes of the God revealed in the rainbow promise.
February 10, 2015
There are many people with whom I have not had an affair. Billions. There is also one man in particular.
January 7, 2015