Luke 6

Jesus comes to a level place to bring the kingdom of God to all those who are gathered.

Jesus comes to a level place to bring the kingdom of God to all those who are gathered.

What if I’m the cheek-slapper, the thief, the opportunist?

What if I’m the cheek-slapper, the thief, the opportunist?

Trusting in God is fruitful, says Jeremiah. But what about when it isn’t?

Trusting in God is fruitful, says Jeremiah. But what about when it isn’t?

We gave our readers a one-word writing prompt: "enemy."

We gave our readers a one-word writing prompt: "enemy."

Matthew 5:38–48

A retired colonel taught me about the courage it takes to love our enemies.

A retired colonel taught me about the courage it takes to love our enemies.

The prayers of the people call us. When we answer, we invite the possibility that it is we who will be poor, hungry, sick, and in prison.

The prayers of the people call us. When we answer, we invite the possibility that it is we who will be poor, hungry, sick, and in prison.

To be a follower of the one who promised that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed is to expect a blessed in-breaking of peace.

To be a follower of the one who promised that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed is to expect a blessed in-breaking of peace.

I don't usually write about preaching or about specific Revised Common Lectionary texts, since that's well covered elsewhere on the site by people more qualified than I. This is just a quick note motivated by the fact that this Sunday's Gospel reading is the subject of one of the more startling RCL factoids that came up when I was reporting my fall article on alternate lectionaries.

Some years ago, on the day before All Saints’ Day, the country’s best distance runners met in Central Park. These included two old friends, Ryan Hall and Ryan Shay.

Some years ago, on the day before All Saints’ Day, the country’s best distance runners met in Central Park. These included two old friends, Ryan Hall and Ryan Shay.