Lectionary Reflections for Sunday July 15, 2012 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 One of my favorite John Bell hymns is “Glory and Gratitude and Praise.”  The words and tune are simple: Glory and gratitude and praise Now let earth to heaven raise Glory and gratitude and praise: These we offer to God. Today’s readings, with the exception of the narrative of John the Baptist’s execution, revolve around the interplay of glory, gratitude, and praise, all of which are... Read more

A friend of mine posted the following quip from the Global Secular Humanist on her Facebook Wall: “The Higgs Boson walks into church.  The priest says we don’t allow Higgs Boson in here. The Higgs Boson says, ‘But without me how can you have mass?’” The Higgs Boson, described as the “God Particle” (although author of the phrase Leon Lederman had a more colorful expletive deleted description of it!), is “at the center of everything…it talks to all other particles... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for Sunday, July 8, 2012 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-3 Today’s New Testament readings inspire a theme such as “living abundantly with limitations.”  Both Jesus and Paul persist despite limitations of health and belief.  God’s vision for each moment is the best possibility for the concrete world in which we live.  This can be source of disappointment because God does not – and perhaps cannot – avoid the concreteness of cause and effect, but must... Read more

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – July 1, 2012 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43 The focus of today’s primary reading (Mark 5:21-43) is on the interplay of faith, community, and healing.  We will all eventually be in search of healing: whether it is David grieving for his intimate friend (2 Samuel: 1:1-27), dealing with life threatening or chronic illness, or issues of depression, anxiety, or meaning.  By definition, the quest for healing emerges from experiences of pain, uncertainty,... Read more

Lectionary Reflections: The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday June 24, 2012 1 Samuel 17:32-49; 17: 57-18:5, 10-16; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 I recall hearing a definition of courage as “fear that has said its prayers.”  Today’s passages speak of the interplay of courage and faith.  Those who experience the nearness of God are able to face challenges and threats with resolution and courage despite their fear. In the era of biblical literacy, every school child – churched or unchurched – knew... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 17, 2012) I Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; I Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17; Mark 4:26-34 This Sunday’s lectionary readings describe the surprising and unexpected revelations of God.  God is not a homogenous force, evenly distributing revelation across the universe.  Rather, divine revelation and inspiration are contextual, historical, and personal.  God has a vision just as we do.  While no one is left out in the interplay of call and response, God’s revelation is... Read more

Lectionary Reflections: Second Sunday After Pentecost June 10, 2012 I Samuel 8:4-15; 11:14-15; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 Today’s lectionary readings integrate concerns for just leadership, alignment with divine law, and the extent of grace in transforming our lives.  Despite the reality of human freedom, creativity, and God forgetfulness, God’s power is all-embracing in its relationality and constancy.   Unlike “Satan,” God does not dominate or coerce but lures us in our current life-situation toward lively, abundant, faithful, and... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012 Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17 For the third Sunday in a row, we are reflecting on some of the most challenging and provocative themes in Christian experience – the Ascension of Jesus, Pentecost, and now the Holy Trinity.  The Trinity is only an occasional theme in progressive and moderate Christian preaching.  Indeed, most progressives tend toward a type of Unitarianism that focuses on the unity of God with only modest attention to... Read more

Reflections on Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27 John 15:26-27; 16:4-15 Pentecost Sunday celebrates the many and varied expressions of God’s love and wisdom.  The divine dancer moves through all creation bringing forth life and love and inspiration.  Fire and wind are everywhere. Inspiration and revelation are just a moment away and can come either by surprise or as a result of the interplay of God’s wisdom and our intentional spiritual practices.  The spirit blows where it... Read more

Lectionary Reflections for Ascension Sunday, May 20, 2012 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (include Acts 1:6-14): Psalm 1: I John 5:9-13: John 17:6-19 Today’s passages are an invitation to experience the intimacy of God in our daily tasks.  Our vocations emerge from our encounters in this world and are fulfilled in following God’s way in our lives.  We don’t need to long for a far off heaven when the whole earth is filled with divine glory and wisdom. For the second week in a row,... Read more