For Palm Sunday the Revised Common Lectionary offers three different Gospel texts for the varying needs of churches. Luke 19:28-40 First there is the “Palm Sunday” option (Luke 19:28-40) which sticks to the opening scene of Holy Week: Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem. That focus is great, I think, since it nudges you to take […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: Preaching Good Friday and the Seven “Words” from the Cross
Dear ______: Hey, it is GREAT that you got invited to be one of the preachers at your town’s ecumenical Good Friday service. I know it makes you nervous. Nerves are okay — in part it means you take preaching the Word seriously. Preaching Good Friday You mention that it makes you more nervous than […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, 5th Sunday of Lent, John 12:1-8
When I saw that the Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent in the lectionary’s “Year C” was “the anointing at Bethany,” I expected the text to be Luke 7:36-50. Year C is anchored by the Gospel of Luke. But there it was in the list: John 12:1-8. I’m not privy to what the committee […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, 4th Sunday of Lent, Luke 15:1-3, 11-31
This Sunday’s Gospel is a very long parable, and one that is much beloved. It has more layers to it than a first reading will find. Luke 15:1-3, 11-31 The one parable has three main characters. Each character has a lot to teach us. In fact, if you think through the story from each of […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, 3rd Sunday of Lent, Luke 13:1-9
I think this is a very unusual passage. Luke 13:1-9 is kind of an unvarnished window (now that’s a horrible mixed metaphor) into Jesus’ ordinary interactions. Why do I think it is “unvarnished”? Well so much of the Gospel narrative is made up of identifiable types of scenes: the healing, the teaching time, the highly […]
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