The Adventurous Lectionary – The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 27, 2020

Last updated on: September 17, 2020 at 3:18 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 27, 2020 Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 It has been said that the question, “do you believe in God?” is less important than “what kind of God do you believe in?” Our images of God shape our understanding of our personal agency, hope for the future, authority, approach to diversity, and political perspectives. Some images of God may promote violence, passivity, and authoritarian approaches to... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 20, 2020

Last updated on: September 10, 2020 at 8:31 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 20, 2020 Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 The times are in upheaval for persons and congregations. Many congregations are considering returning to public in-person worship and are feeling overwhelmed by details and concerns about congregants’ health. We are also concerned about our congregational health – most congregations are struggling with budgets and pondering reducing staff in the next few years. One of the most important... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 13, 2020

Last updated on: September 3, 2020 at 9:54 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – September 13, 2020 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm114, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 Today’s readings explore the interdependent themes of forgiveness, pluralism, and deliverance. Our dependence and interdependence with God and others are the framework for understanding the spiritual adventure. Still, the readings are challenging, first, because of the relationship of deliverance and violence in the Genesis story and, second, in the contrasting scandal of Jesus’ demand for forgiveness in our current polarizing, unforgiving... Read more

Adventurous Lectionary – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 7, 2020

Last updated on: August 27, 2020 at 3:49 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – September 10, 2017 – The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 This week’s scriptures are spiritually ambiguous. They raise issues of divine violence and exclusion as well as God’s protective safety and the preservation of community. Like many important religious feasts, the celebration of Passover is shrouded in mystery and ethical ambiguity. On the one hand, God delivers the Hebrew people from oppression in Egypt. Those who... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost – August 30, 2020

Last updated on: August 20, 2020 at 7:59 pm By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 30, 2020 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6. 23-26, 45a; Romans 12:9-21: Matthew 16:21-28 This Sunday’s readings join mysticism with action and God-awareness with sacrifice. Following the way of God, and the path of Jesus, doesn’t always lead to winning, contrary to the bloviations of certain political leaders who identify faith with coercive power and domineering orthodoxy. Following God’s way may lead to sacrifice, downward mobility, and moving from calm to chaos.... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Fishing for Persons

Last updated on: August 20, 2020 at 6:25 pm By Bruce Epperly

CXXXVIII Fishing for People (8/20) Follow me, and I will make you fish for people. (Matthew 5:19; see Matthew 5:18-22) Follow me! How can you follow Jesus and fish for people when you’re sheltering in place? How can you share good news when you don’t get out much? The gospel isn’t about distance. Every place can be the right place to share good news. No activity is bereft of God’s presence. You can serve God wherever you are. Look at... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Does God Love the Non-human World?

Last updated on: August 18, 2020 at 10:04 am By Bruce Epperly

CXXXVI Shouldn’t God care for the outsiders and enemies? (8/18) Should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons…and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:11) Jonah is more than a fish story. In fact, it is a story of an unwelcome mystical experience and a reluctant prophet. When asked to preach to the enemy city of Nineveh, Jonah flees in the opposite direction. But he discovers that when it comes to God:... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – God is Faithful

Last updated on: August 13, 2020 at 3:35 pm By Bruce Epperly

CXXXI God’s love is new every morning (8/13) “The steadfast love of God never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) One of my favorite hymns, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” is based on Lamentations 3:22-23. God is faithful and in all the changes of life, God’s mercy endures. What a promise this passage holds for us: • God’s love is certain and unending. • God’s grace never ceases... Read more

Faith in a Time of Pandemic – We Need a Larger Vision

Last updated on: August 12, 2020 at 6:19 pm By Bruce Epperly

CXXX A Larger Vision (8/12) “Do not say ‘I am only a boy,’ for you shall go to whomever I send you, and you shall speak whatever I say to you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:7-8; read Jeremiah 1: 1-10) Jeremiah does not feel up to the task that God has called him to. The job is so large and his resources so meager. Or, as the sailor’s prayer goes, “My... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – August 23, 2020

Last updated on: August 12, 2020 at 8:53 am By Bruce Epperly

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 23, 2020 – Twelfth Sunday after the Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Today’s readings invite us to ponder our unique vocations as they reflect our relationship with God. They invite us to see our lives as “apocalyptic,” that is, revealing God’s vision and the nature of our times. They challenge us to make changes and chart new pathways of fidelity to God. Vocation is always apocalyptic insofar as our vocations are... Read more

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