Since Jesus was God in the flesh, he must have been able to see into the future — right? But can we reasonably think that in this week’s lectionary Gospel he was gazing forward into 21st century American Christianity and trying to tweak every branch of the Church simultaneously? I know: That’s a bit absurd. […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, John 6:51-58
This is the fourth of five weeks that the Revised Common Lectionary spends ringing the changes on John 6, where Jesus proclaims that he is the Bread of Life — though in this particular excerpt he sticks to saying he is the living bread that came down from heaven.” (John 6:51 NRSV) Ringing the Changes […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Why Prepare?
Dear ______: Thanks for your note. Yes, I do often say things like When you are done preparing your children’s sermon, look at what you have written.” Actually I was wondering when you would notice. I’m not entirely surprised that you objected. Why should I write out my children’s sermon?” you ask. “The kids are […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, John 6:35, 41-51
This week’s lectionary Gospel text (John 6:35, 41-51) starts with the same verse we ended with last week. Then, oddly, it skips four verses before continuing the story. It is the middle week of a five-week-long revel in John 6, as Jesus discusses, debates, and disputes about manna from heaven and himself as the “Bread […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it THIS text?
Dear ______: You make a good observation when you say “Half the battle is done if the point you make to the kids is rooted in a biblical text.” But at the risk of mixing my metaphors, any preacher who stops because half the battle is done will preach a sermon that is only half-baked. […]
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