Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Monday Meditation

The Presentation of Jesus — Luke 2:22-40

December 21, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Revised Common Lectionary offers us the text known as “The Presentation of Jesus.” It’s Luke 2:22-40 and comes in four distinct scenes. The Presentation The scene is set for the Presentation with references to the Holy Family and the law of God. We tend to picture just three […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: First Sunday after Christmas, Luke 2:22-40, RCL Year B, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The Annunciation — Luke 1:26-38 on Advent 3

December 15, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

the annunciation

On the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary gives us Luke 1:26-38. It is the story of “the Annunciation,” nine months before Christmas. But we are in December, chronologically only a week-and-a-half before Mary will give birth. It’s all good. Advent is an excellent time to think about the promise […]

Filed Under: Bible, Calvin, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: Advent 3, Luke 1:26-38, RCL Year B, The Annunciation

Not the Light — John 1:6-8, 19-28

December 7, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

not the light

The discussion of John the Baptist as “not the light” but rather “a witness to testify to the light” is missing its context. In year C, the Gospel for the third Sunday of Advent is John 1:6-8 and 19-28, the parts of Gospel’s prologue about John the Baptist, and leaving out the parts directly about […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: John 6:1-8 19-28, John the Baptist

The Wedding Banquet — Matthew 22:1-14

October 9, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

The Wedding Banquet: The Musical This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 22:1-14) is known as “the parable of the wedding banquet.” It lives in my memory, and perhaps in yours as well, in the cheerful lyrics of the Sunday School song sung by happy little Lego figures in the video below. My wife and I actually used […]

Filed Under: Bible, Monday Meditation Tagged With: 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Great Banquet, Matthew 22:1-14, Proper 23(28), RCL Year A, The Wedding Banquet

A Definition of Forgiveness — Matthew 18:21-35

September 9, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

definition of forgiveness

Sunday’s Gospel from the Revised Common Lectionary (Matthew 18:21-35) continues the same scene as last week, and leaves us with a remarkable, simple, working definition of forgiveness. If you are a regular reader of these weekly meditations, you know that I often point out places where historically we Christians have misconstrued the teachings of the […]

Filed Under: Bible, Monday Meditation Tagged With: definition of forgiveness, Matthew 18:21-35, Proper 19(24), RCL 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, RCL Year A

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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