Browsing Year C
Are You Kidding Me, Jesus?
Lectionary Reflection, 15th Sunday after Pentecost, September 5, 2010
Hey, Jesus, you really want me to stand up in front of a congregation and preach this text? Are you kidding me? Most people will hear this text with enough law-lensed baggage to stop their ears. As preachers and teachers, we need to lift up the grace and hope that comes with living “cross-wise” in the world.
Don’t be Puttin’ on Airs!
August 29, 2010, 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Lectionary Reflection
Do folks looking at our congregations from the outside see us putting on airs as 21st century Christians, or do they see an open invitation to full inclusion and participation? This week’s gospel lesson invites us to examine ourselves. Are we up to the task?
Preaching what we don’t Practice?
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 22, 2010
Lectionary Reflection
Are you bound in your preaching and teaching by a lack of consistent practice or by the cares of your parish and the world? This week’s texts invite us to be healed, to delight in God, and to rejoice.
Peace, Walls, and Fractured-Faith Forecasting
Lectionary Reflection
August 15, 2010, 12th Sunday after Pentecost
“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall” says the narrator in Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall.” Could that “something” be the gospel? We humans build walls that Jesus is in the business of shattering, but there is still pain and cost. How do we preach this text without throwing up additional walls?
“Ready, Set, Go!”
Lectionary Reflection
11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 8, 2010
As Christians, we need not live our lives steeped in fear and anxiety about what may happen. Instead we are called to be ready, to fully invest in faithful discipleship, and to live the good news so that all may see and know the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Problematic Preaching about Bigger Barns
Lectionary Reflection
August 1, 2010, 10th Sunday after Pentecost
How do we preach about the freedom in Christ that allows us to fling wide the barn doors and let go of our “stuff” and resources? This week’s text from Luke’s gospel offers a fine albeit problematic opportunity for the preacher who is willing to take some risks.
Daily Bread: Enough for you, for the Community, and for the World
Lectionary Reflection for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 25, 2010
What does the petition “Give us each day our daily bread” mean to the individual disciple and to the Body of Christ? This week’s gospel offers a good opportunity to reflect on these words, on stewardship, and on the concept of “enough.”
A Minimalist Approach to Ministry?
Lectionary Reflection
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 4, 2010
Is Jesus advocating a minimalist approach to ministry in speaking to his followers in this week’s passage from Luke’s gospel? How does this apply to Christians today?
Keep Your Hand to the Plow–No Matter how Crooked the Furrow
Lectionary Reflection
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 27, 2010
Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor to emphasize the kind of commitment a disciple must exhibit. How does the preacher translate the image of a hand to the plow in 21st century North America?
“What are you doing here, (Insert your name)?”
Lectionary Reflection for June 20, 2010
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Things weren’t going so hot for Elijah, prophet of God. In fact, he was so undone that he asked God to let him die. Instead, God asks a question. How would you answer if God asked you the same question?
