In the Lectionary
Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary readings by pastors, preachers, and biblical scholars
November 10, Ordinary 32B (Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17)
Naomi is a climate refugee, displaced from her homeland by a natural disaster that results in widespread famine.
November 3, Ordinary 31B (Mark 12:28–34)
The scribe’s question to Jesus is not merely an academic exercise.
November 1, All Saints B (Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 21:1-6a)
God swallowing up death indicates the ultimate defeat of sorrow and chaos.
October 27, Ordinary 30B (Job 42:1–6, 10–17)
Job passively endures a lot of trauma before he finally speaks directly to God about it. That’s the turning point.
October 20, Ordinary 29B (Hebrews 5:1–10)
It can be easy to read this portion of Hebrews as making glory out of what is inglorious.
October 13, Ordinary 28B (Hebrews 4:12–16)
One of the most underrated spiritual gifts is perseverance.
October 6, Ordinary 27B (Job 1:1, 2:1–10)
The primary biblical text that addresses human suffering is a comedic folktale. How are we meant to process this?
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.