2nd Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23—3:6 The Revised Common Lectionary returns to Mark on the second Sunday after Pentecost. In the gospel lessons, Jesus is asked a question that begs for an answer: Why were his disciples doing what was deemed unlawful on the Sabbath? It’s a loaded …
The Word this Sunday – 05.19.24
Pentecost Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Happy birthday to the royal priesthood of all believers and the beloved church of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It has been around for approximately two thousand and twenty-some years and will remain around for as long as the Holy Spirit of truth …
The Word this Sunday – 06.02.24
2nd Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23—3:6 The Revised Common Lectionary returns to Mark on the second Sunday after Pentecost. In the gospel lessons, Jesus is asked a question that begs for an answer: Why were his disciples doing what was deemed unlawful on the Sabbath? It’s a loaded …
The Word this Sunday – 05.12.24
7th Sunday of Easter Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 In chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus has finished his last words for the disciples after the example of the foot washing and the command to love one another as he has loved them (chapter 13). He knows he …
The Word this Sunday – 05.05.24
6th Sunday of Easter Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 This Sunday, as Jesus elaborates on his image as the vine, the Revised Common Lectionary moves us from “abide in me” (John 15:4) to “abide in my love” (verse 9). Both are proclaimed in the Greek imperative form. Therefore, both statements are …
The Word this Sunday – 04.28.24
5th Sunday of Easter Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8 The 5th Sunday of the Resurrection brings another agricultural image—this time with undertones of plant physiology—about the presence of God incarnate in the human form of Jesus from Nazareth (I AM, see https://wp.me/p9drFo-tN). The setting differs from the Good Shepherd discourse in …
The Word this Sunday – 04.21.24
Good Shepherd Sunday - 4th Sunday of Easter Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18 I AM is code word for Yahweh’s presence. The divine shepherd who promised restoration and abundant life for those who believe is here to lay down his life for the people (John 10:15). The good shepherd discourse in …
The Word this Sunday – 04.14.24
3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 On this third Sunday of Easter, the revised common lectionary presents Luke’s version of Jesus's post-resurrection appearance to the disciples. Some of the same themes are present. The disciples are afraid and still doubting. Then Jesus makes himself present in flesh and …
The Word this Sunday – 03.31.24
Easter - Resurrection of Our Lord Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Mark 16:1-8 Mark's depiction of the resurrection may fall a little flat. It is concise and almost devoid of emotion, except for verse 8, believed to be the original short end of his gospel. "Terror and amazement seized them; and they …
The Word this Good Friday – 03.29.24
Isaiah 52:13--53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1--19:42 From our Lord's wondrous example of generous love, we move to the scandal of the cross. How did it come to this? Was it necessary? This is one of those times when the original text, in this case Koine Greek, is helpful. When the soldiers and the …
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