The texts for Sunday, August 11,2013 (Lectionary 19 C): Genesis 15:1–6; Psalm 33:12–22; Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16; and Luke 12:32–40 “[God] brought [Abram] outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.'” – Genesis 15:5 “But as it is, they desire aContinueContinue reading “The Direction Faith Looks”
Category Archives: Sparks from the Lectionary
Catching Bubbles
The texts Sunday, August 4, 2013: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–23; Psalm 49:1–12; Colossians 3:1–11; and Luke 12:13–21 “And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.'”- Luke 12:15 I am not preaching this week. It feels kind of strange, actually,ContinueContinue reading “Catching Bubbles”
Lamed Vavniks
The texts Sunday, July 28, 2013 (lectionary 17): Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]; and Luke 11:1-13 “Then Abraham came near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who areContinueContinue reading “Lamed Vavniks”
The Use of Power
The texts for Sunday, June 16,2013 (Lectionary 11C): 2 Samuel 11:26—12:10; 12:13–15; Psalm 32; Galatians 2:15–21; and Luke 7:36—8:3 “Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel…” – 2 Samuel 12:7 At pericope study on Tuesday, I heard something about this story ofContinueContinue reading “The Use of Power”
The Poetry of Trinity
The texts for Sunday, May 26, 2013 (Trinity Sunday, year C): Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31, Psalm 8, Romans 5:1–5, and John 16:12–15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” – John 16:12 This passage from John reminds me of rather famous advice from the poet Rainer Maria RilkeContinueContinue reading “The Poetry of Trinity”
Tabitha
The texts for Sunday, April 21, 2013: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; and John 10:22-30. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me” – John 10: 25b I’m really drawn to the story of Tabitha in Acts. There is something about a story, I suppose, that brings faith to life, that puts flesh onContinueContinue reading “Tabitha”
On the Boat
The texts for Sunday, April 14, 2013 (Easter 3C): Acts 9:1–20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11–14; and John 21:1–19. “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing…” – John 21:3 I can see why the disciplesContinueContinue reading “On the Boat”
God’s Peace
The texts for the day are: Acts 5:27–32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4–8, and John 20:19–31. “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, theyContinueContinue reading “God’s Peace”
The message of reconciliation
The texts for Sunday, March 10, 2013: Joshua 5:9–12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; and Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 “that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19 Reconciliation. This is the kind of thing thatContinueContinue reading “The message of reconciliation”
A Wandering Aramean…
The texts for Sunday, February 17, 2013 (Lent 1C): Deuteronomy 26:1–11; Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16; Romans 10:8b–13; and Luke 4:1–13 “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor … The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he broughtContinueContinue reading “A Wandering Aramean…”
Learning to let go
The texts for Sunday, February 10, 2013 (Transfiguration Sunday): Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; and Luke 9:28-36 “Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’–not knowing whatContinueContinue reading “Learning to let go”
Proclaiming hope
The texts for January 20, 2013 (Epiphany 2C): Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, and John 2:1-11 “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.” – Isaiah 62:1 Did you knowContinueContinue reading “Proclaiming hope”
The water and the fire
The texts for Sunday January 13,2013: Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” – IsaiahContinueContinue reading “The water and the fire”
The Mystery that is Grace
The texts for January 6, 2013 (Epiphany Day): Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3: 1-12; and Matthew 2:1-12 “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see whatContinueContinue reading “The Mystery that is Grace”
Dreaming in the Dark
The texts for Sunday, December 16, 2012: Zephaniah 3:14–20; Isaiah 12:2–6; Philippians 4:4–7; and Luke 3:7–18. I have heard the news repeated again and again. 28 dead. 20 of them children. I’ve seen picture after picture of the events surrounding the tragedy at Sandy Hook School—the trauma, the tears, the shattered lives, the shock, theContinueContinue reading “Dreaming in the Dark”
Praying for Transformation
The texts for Sunday, December 9,2012 (Advent 2C): Baruch 5:1–9; Luke 1:68–79; Philippians 1:3–11; and Luke 3:1–6. “Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.” – Baruch 5:1 I’ve come to the realization that I just don’t really want to talkContinueContinue reading “Praying for Transformation”
The Power of Hope
The texts for Sunday, December 2, 2012 (Advent 1C): Jeremiah 33:14–16; Psalm 25:1–10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13; and Luke 21:25–36 “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”- Luke 21:28 I suppose this is the power of hope. Everything prior to this sentence inContinueContinue reading “The Power of Hope”
Trusting in Rulers
The texts for Sunday, November 11, 2012 (Lectionary 32): 1 Kings 17:8–16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24–28, and Mark 12:38–44. “Put not your trust in rulers, in mortals in whom there is no help. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.” – Psalm 146:3-4 Edit: I justContinueContinue reading “Trusting in Rulers”
Jabbok Dawn 