The Adventurous Lectionary – September 3, 2017 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6. 23-26, 45a Romans 12:9-12 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. Following God’s way may lead to sacrifice, downward mobility, and moving from calm to chaos. Yet, our encounters with God provide a still point... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 27, 2017 – 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 challenge us to make changes and chart new pathways of fidelity to God. Vocation means change. We must choose to embrace certain things and let go others. Our vocations, our callings, invite us to realize that our gifts shape and are shaped... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 20, 2917 – The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-31 Matthew 15: 21-28 Today’s readings join reconciliation and grace. They call us to a spirituality of stature that embraces those who have harmed us and persons of other faiths and ethnicities. Largeness of spirit looks for common ground and reconciliation despite past conflicts and then aims at healing in the present and future. As I write this,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 13, 2017 – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Today’s passages probe the nature of divine providence in our lives. Is God the sole cause of the events of our lives or does God work within apparently random and possibly malevolent acts to bring about the best possibilities? Even though God does not choose these events, does God work “in all things” for... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – August 6, 2017 – The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 13:14-21 What does it mean to be blessed? In what ways do you need God’s blessing? In what ways do you need the blessing of an elder – a mother, father, spiritual friend, or older companion? To be blessed is to become right with the world and feel at home in our skin. It is to... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – July 30, 2017 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce Epperly Psalm 119:129-136 I Kings 3:5-12 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Pentecost is the season of divine revelation. Spirit moves in all things. God’s abundance is strewn everywhere, for all to have, in every time and place and those who are attentive to it will experience wisdom and the ability to discern their vocation in life. They will discover gifts aplenty to serve the world. They will... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – July 23, 2017 Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Today’s readings proclaim that he world is chock full of divinity. You can encounter the holy in the most unlikely places. Thin places, joining heaven and earth, abound for those for whom the doors of perception have opened. Life is messy, but it can be spiritually full in all its complexity when we open our senses to... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost 6 – July 16,2017 Genesis 25:19-24; Psalm 119:105-12; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:19, 18-23 Can God work in and through less than optimal situations and ambiguous personalities? Does God’s light guide the uncertain as well as the certain and can even the smallest of beginnings – humblest of initiatives – give birth to great possibilities? These are some of the themes from this week’s lectionary readings. Once again, the lectionary readings confront us with family dysfunctionality.... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – July 9, 2017 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Bruce G. Epperly Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45:10-17 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 “Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” These authoritative words from Jesus serve as God’s response to Paul’s, and our own, inner turmoil and ethical and spiritual angst. Jesus speaks out of his unique relationship with God to provide us with wisdom and... Read more

In her forties, my mother went back to school to be re-certified in early childhood education. Her first interview after graduation was at a private Christian school. To the surprise of my conservative Christian mother, the principal’s first question was “Do you dance, wear makeup, or go to movies?” She admitted that she didn’t dance or wear makeup, other than very neutral lipstick. But, the die was cast, it seems, when she confessed that she went to movies like “Mary... Read more