Today we are looking at the readings for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 19, 2020. The lectionary readings are Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; and John 1:29-42. Today I’ll be focusing on the first two readings. The prophet Isaiah writes, Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord … Continue reading Second Sunday After Epiphany (Year A)
Today we are looking at the readings for the Baptism of Our Lord, January 12, 2020. The lectionary readings are Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; and Matthew 3:13-17. The gospel reading today is pretty much what you’d expect: Matthew’s version of the Baptism of Jesus. According to Matthew, John the Baptist tries to stop Jesus from … Continue reading Baptism of Our Lord (Year A)
Today we are looking at the readings for the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6, 2020. You may also be celebrating this on the Sunday before or after, of course. Either way, the lectionary readings are Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; and Matthew 2:1-12. I’m looking today at the gospel reading, the arrival of the magi. … Continue reading The Epiphany of Our Lord
If you are preaching on the readings for Epiphany, I will have a special post available Tuesday morning with those readings. Today we are looking at the readings for the Second Sunday of Christmas, Year A (Sunday, January 5, 2020). The lectionary readings are Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; and John 1:10-18. This gospel reading from … Continue reading Second Sunday of Christmas (Year A)
Today we are looking at the readings for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year A (Sunday, December 29, 2019). The lectionary readings are Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; and Matthew 2:13-23. There is often a temptation not to preach on this Sunday at all; instead, to have a service of Lessons and Carols with no preaching. … Continue reading First Sunday of Christmas (Year A)
To many people, the highlight service of the church year is Christmas Eve. Let’s be honest: to some people, the only service of the church year is Christmas Eve. But I don’t find that service to be truly what Christmas is all about, in my experience as someone who lives with depression. To me, Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Eve & Blue Christmas
The lectionary readings for December 22 (Advent IV) are Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25. This week I want to look at the gospel reading, and I want to talk about one of the most cherished stories in scripture, a story that nevertheless can be very problematic and even dangerous for those with certain … Continue reading Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Today we are looking at the readings for the Third Sunday in Advent, Year A. December 15, 2019. The lectionary readings are Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; and Matthew 11:2-11. This week’s reading from Isaiah sounds in a lot of ways like a repeat of last week, a sign of amazing hope and grace to come … Continue reading Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
The lectionary readings are Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12. I want to focus primarily today on the first reading, from Isaiah. This is a very familiar reading, the story of the wolf lying down with the lamb, the prophecy Isaiah made about the so-called “Peaceable Kingdom,” which would one day come to pass. … Continue reading Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Today we are looking at the readings for the First Sunday in Advent, Year A. Sunday, December 1, 2019. The Revised Common Lectionary readings are Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:1-11; and Matthew 24:36-44. Both the Romans and Matthew readings today talk about keeping awake, and waking from sleep. Sleep patterns are a huge issue for people … Continue reading First Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Biblia Luna 