In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
September 29, Ordinary 26B (Psalm 124)
When the Spirit moved among us, we heard the tongues of angels.
September 22, Ordinary 25B (Mark 9:30–37)
Rather than rebuke the disciples, Jesus takes a little child by the hand.
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.