Browsing RCL Reflections

You Are Invited

Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 15, 2012
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” asks Nathanael. Many folks today ask the same thing about the church. You are invited to open your eyes, to come and see. (Photo by Hans van de Bruggen used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Holy Collision!

Lectionary Reflection for the Baptism of our Lord
January 8, 2012
Mark’s gospel propels us like carnival bumper cars into a holy collision of water, Word, and Spirit. Are you ready? This is no Sunday for “nicey-nice” tame imagery in the presence of the Creator who brought life from chaos and salvation from sin. (Photo by Paul Holloway used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Family Matters

Lectionary Reflection for Name of Jesus
January 1, 2012
Family matters both within and outside of the church. This Sunday provides an opportunity to explore our family of faith and what it means both individually and as the body of Christ gathered in a particular place and context. (Photo by Children’s Book Review used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

God Bless the Child

First Sunday of Christmas Lectionary Reflection
January 1, 2012
Today is the perfect opportunity to honor the gift of God’s son, the Word made flesh, and the children and families in the worshiping community. (Photo by “clairity” used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Time to Lighten Up!

Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2011

Now that we’ve swept clean the corners of our heart and mind, this Sunday invites us to fill our souls with light, rejoicing in the knowledge that the Light of Christ is coming into the world and we can point others to it. (Photo by cupcakes2 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Time for a Clean Sweep

Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2011 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Mark 1:1 Advent is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.   — Thomas Merton My theory about major house cleaning works like this: if […]

Advent: A Time for Re-Forming

Lectionary Reflection, First Sunday in Advent, Year B
November 27, 2011

This Sunday’s lessons offer many options for fresh approaches to Advent. Now is the time to invite people into a spiritual season of re-formation, contemplation, readiness, and action. (Photo by BLW Photography used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Ultimate Reality: Goats, Sheep, and Judge Jesus

Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 2011
Lectionary Reflection

Sheep, goats, Jesus, and judgment–it’s the stuff of human wonder and worry. Maybe we’re missing the point when we scratch our heads and ponder which critter we really are. What is Jesus really getting at in this week’s gospel lesson?

Fear Factor vs. Faith Factor

22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Lectionary Reflection “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live. It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least?’ Matthew 25:26 (The Message) The parable of the talents has always made me uncomfortable. […]

In the Company of Saints

Lectionary Reflection for All Saints Sunday
November 6, 2011

Beloved Children of God, rejoice and be glad! When we gather at God’s table, when we share God’s love, and when we are God’s hands and feet in the world, we are in the company of saints. (Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)